MAM
SPAR’s Campbell identifies India as a potential market for expansion
MUMBAI: SPAR International managing director Dr Gordon R Campbell, on his inaugural visit to India identified India as one of the three growth driver destinations for SPAR in the coming years.
DR Campbell said SPAR planned to focus on India, China and Russia to drive growth through the utilisation of its unique cooperative model that had seen success across over 15,000 SPAR stores in 34 countries.
With a global turnover of Euro 26.8 billion in 2003, SPAR is one of the worldwide leaders in food retail and had begun its Indian foray with the opening of its first store in Mumbai in December last year. The global food retail brand has a license arrangement with Radhakrishna Foodland Pvt. Ltd., a leading Indian food distribution company, to introduce the SPAR brand.
Dr. Campbell said, “I am excited by the possibility of working with Radhakrishna Foodland chairman and managing director Raju Sheté on the development of SPAR in the Mumbai region, whilst aiding and facilitating in the development and transition to a modern distribution system.”
He added, “SPAR International has successfully supported independent retailers in Europe in competing against the multiple retailers and international chains for over 70 years. The SPAR partnership model has been successfully introduced in Eastern Europe and Africa. We are committed to supporting independent retailers to achieve best practice in international retailing, thereby enabling them to grow and develop. Our multi-format retail strategy enables us to tailor retail propositions to match individual locations and consumer needs.”
Sheté on the other hand said, “The introduction of the SPAR brand in India is, I believe, one of the most significant developments in the Indian retail industry in recent times. The license arrangement between SPAR and Radhakrishna Foodland leverages the SPAR brand’s experience of retail in diverse communities and geographies while Radhakrishna Foodland brings to the venture its expertise and experience as managers of a comprehensive range of food services in India. The levels of interest shown in the SPAR format by independent retailers in the first three months of our existence is have been very high and augurs well for SPAR International’s focus on India.”
Sharing details of SPAR’s global plans, Dr. Campbell said that ‘Towards 2008’ is SPAR International’s medium to long term strategy and sets out how SPAR will increase the value we deliver to our customers. “‘Towards 2008’ also sets out our competitive strategy, the six pillars of SPAR. The six pillars are the basis of our strategy in continuing to grow and build consumer trust in SPAR around the world. Building trust is the path to providing a compelling consumer offer which will ensure that SPAR continues to attract and retain customers and remain a leading global food retailer.”
“The conclusion for SPAR in our strategy ‘Towards 2008’, is that we will focus our expansion plans on the developing world. Our main target is Asia, especially China and India. We will also seek to expand in Africa. In Europe, our principal market for development is Russia.”
In conclusion, Campbell stated, “SPAR is well positioned to enjoy continued growth over the coming decade. We will consolidate our strong position in Europe while continuing to develop our business in the emerging markets.”
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Hyundai and TVS Motor partner to develop electric three wheelers
Joint development pact targets last mile mobility with localisation push
MUMBAI: Three wheels, one big ambition and a charge towards the future. Hyundai Motor Company and TVS Motor Company have signed a joint development agreement to co-create electric three-wheelers (E3Ws), aiming to crack India’s complex last-mile mobility puzzle. The collaboration moves beyond concept talk into execution mode, building on the E3W prototype first showcased at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. The goal now is clear, design, develop and commercialise a purpose-built vehicle tailored to Indian roads, riders and realities.
Under the agreement, Hyundai will lead design and co-development, bringing its global R&D muscle and human-centric engineering approach to the table. TVS Motor, meanwhile, will anchor the product on its electric platform, leveraging deep three-wheeler expertise and local market insight. It will also handle manufacturing and sales in India, with an eye on exports down the line.
The timing is strategic. India remains the world’s largest three-wheeler market, where affordability, durability and adaptability often outweigh sheer innovation. The upcoming E3W aims to strike that balance combining advanced technology with practical features such as adaptive ground clearance for monsoon-hit roads, improved thermal management for tropical climates, and flexible interiors suited for passengers, cargo or emergency use.
A key pillar of the partnership is localisation. Major components will be sourced and manufactured within India, a move expected to strengthen the domestic supply chain, create jobs, lower costs and improve after-sales support.
The shift from prototype to production will involve rigorous testing, certification and refinement to meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations. Dedicated cross-functional teams from both companies are already in place to accelerate timelines.
At a broader level, the tie-up reflects a growing trend in mobility, global players partnering with local specialists to navigate emerging markets. For Hyundai and TVS, the bet is that combining scale with street-level insight could unlock a new chapter in sustainable urban transport, one that runs not just on electricity, but on relevance.
