The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a loan of up to €40 million to the retailer SPAR Slovenija d.o.o. to support the company’s further development with a particular focus on modern supply chain management and resource efficiency. The loan is complemented by technical cooperation support aimed at improving energy efficiency.
SPAR Slovenija is an international retailer currently operating 88 stores in the country with sales of €693 million in 2012. The company belongs to the Spar Austria Group and is indirectly fully owned by the holding company Spar Holding AG, which integrates all the operations of Spar Austria Group.
The EBRD loan will finance a portion of the company’s planned investments over the period 2013-2015. This will include the extension and refurbishment, including improvements to energy efficiency, of a logistics centre and a bakery as well as the further development of the SPAR Slovenija branch network.
Miljan Zdrale, Senior Banker responsible for agribusiness projects in South-eastern Europe (SEE) said, “We are happy to support SPAR Slovenija in developing the sustainability of its retail operations with a focus on modern supply chain management and resource efficiency. The modernisation of the company’s operations will strengthen its results and benefit customers through further improved quality.”
Jure Petkovšek, Financial Director of SPAR Slovenija added, “SPAR is happy to continue its investments in Slovenia, which is especially important under the current macroeconomic circumstances. We see the EBRD financing as recognition of our future strategy and expect the EBRD to play an important role in successful implementation of international best practice for sustainable energy solutions in retail buildings.”
Since the start of its activities in Slovenia, the EBRD has committed over €750 million to projects in the industry, energy, infrastructure and financial sectors. The Bank’s financing attracted additional investment of over €3 billion to Slovenia’s economy.
