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Community Shopping
Many people just cannot get to centralised shopping schemes. SPAR Scotland means more than just shops, our stores are key community facilities providing top up supplies and even emergency supplies without the need to travel miles or wait in huge queues.
We're always open when you need us, plus many SPAR stores offer vital local services including Post Office, banking services, bill paying facilities and home deliveries in some areas - and why? Because the majority of our stores are owned, managed and run by people who live in the communities they serve. SPAR retailers feel a genuine responsibility to provide for their community, because they are part of the community. Some communities would disappear without the service and personal contact offered by many of our stores.
Obviously community stores and local stores are fuel efficient, not only saving the customer money, but protecting the environment.
SPAR and Children 1st
SPAR has selected the NSPCC and its sister organisation, Children 1st, as its nominated charity. This sponsorship is central to what SPAR is all about: making a difference!
The NSPCC and CHILDREN 1ST share a vision of a society where all children are loved, valued and able to fulfil their potential. Through our fundraising, SPAR helps to realise this vision.
The NSPCC fundraises and operates services throughout England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands, as does CHILDREN 1ST for Scotland. Together these organisations have 215 community-based teams and projects, including therapeutic centres, schools counselling teams and family support services.
"The NSPCC and CHILDREN 1ST are proud to be working with SPAR and look forward to making this partnership a huge success. Thank you for choosing us. Together we can reach out and help the children who need us." Elaine Dodds, head of NSPCC Corporate Partnerships.
SPAR Scotland, Carrier Bags and Local Charities
The problems with Carrier Bags and their effect on the environment have been well publicised. SPAR Scotland has been at the forefront of tackling this problem through the introduction and publicity of "bag for life" alternatives. Additionally we introduced charging for single use bags. This has had a dramatic effect on our customers' behaviour and has resulted in significant reduction in carrier bag usage from SPAR stores. Additionally, where we have charged for a single use carrier bag, the proceeds are donated to various charities including Children 1st and many local charities in our stores' respective areas.
SPAR Local
SPAR supports local businesses by ensuring that locally produced goods are stocked in many of its stores. A study by the New Economics Foundation (NEF) showed that smaller stores like ours put more of their turnover back into the local economies they serve. In fact the data reveals that 11% of SPAR's turnover is invested in direct spending on local goods, services and staff.
SPAR and the Environment
We all have a responsibility to protect our environment for future generations.
SPAR Scotland is at the forefront of environmentally positive action.
Our Stores employ environmentally friendly store equipment purchasing policies.
Energy efficient initiatives have been deployed to reduce our Carbon Footprint.
SPAR Scotland has made arrangements for SPAR Stores to comply with packaging waste recycling obligations through the Packaging Management Group (PMG).
SPAR Scotland optimises the use of recycled packaging.
Other systems have been updated in our stores to protect our valuable natural resources.
SPAR Scotland adopts responsible purchasing policies to ensure that products are sourced from suppliers with superior standards of due diligence, care and food & hygiene safety. All suppliers are audited either at a national or local level to ensure adherence to these high standards.
SPAR Scotland - Responsible Retail
SPAR Scotland is a Responsible Retailer and we have a number of policies that ensure that we are at the forefront of Responsible Retailing. The objectives of our policies are to:
- Create, implement, promote and maintain policies which meet the needs of the business and which keep CJ Lang legally, morally and politically correct
- Continuously demonstrate social responsibility with positive inputs to the communities we serve
- Promote legal compliance in all areas of age restricted goods e.g. licensing, tobacco and related products, lottery, fireworks, etc.
- To particularly meet the Five Licensing objectives of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005:
i. Preventing crime and disorder
ii. Securing public safety
iii. Preventing public nuisance
iv. Protecting children from harm
v. Protecting and improving public health
- Work closely with Police, Trading Standards, Licensing Standard Officers, Environmental Health Officers, Fire Brigade, Community Representatives to resolve issues and raise social responsibility standards
- Through effective measurements monitor and review the effectiveness of the policies
CJ Lang's SPAR Scotland were amongst the 1st Retailers in the UK to introduce a Challenge 25 Proof of Age scheme ensuring that any customer who appears under 25 Years of Age must have valid Proof of Age before they can purchase Age Restricted Goods.
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