The head of global supermarket franchise, Spar International, Dr. Gordon R. Campbell, will visit Australia next month.

Spar, founded in the Netherlands in 1932 by Adriaan van Well, is the world’s largest organisation of independent retailers with more than 12,300 stores in 36 countries on four continents. In 2013, Spar had global annual retail sales of €32.1 billion.

Campbell is responsible for the worldwide development and co-ordination of the Spar organisation and under his leadership, Spar has expanded throughout Europe, Russia, Asia, Africa, and Middle East.

Campbell is currently working on the implementation of the Strategy ‘Growing our Future Together’ which looks at the long term objectives of Spar International. The focus is on the development of Spar in the emerging markets of Asia (in particular China and India) and Africa.

Campbell has also driven innovation in retailing and distribution which has resulted in the development of international flagship stores in hypermarket, supermarket and convenience formats.

During his visit Campbell will make a keynote presentation at the Retail Leaders Forum, ‘New Geographies, New Consumers – Lessons in International Retail Success’, which will be held in Sydney on March 2 and 3.

In addition to this, Campbell will speak at the 2014 Convenience Retailers Choice Awards, attend the Spar Australia Regional Meeting in Coffs Harbour, and participate in the re-launch of Spar Maclean in NSW following the store’s recent extension and upgrade. Campbell will also visit Spar stores in both NSW and Queensland.

In Australia, there are 216 stores under the franchise’s five brands including Spar, Spar Express, 5 Star, and Jardin Fresh Life. Lou Jardin has been at the helm of the local franchise since 2010 after a long tenure with independent operator, Metcash.