South Africa's SPAR to exit UK with South West England disposal
SPAR Group, Inc. SGRP | 0.00 |
By Nqobile Dludla
JOHANNESBURG, May 18 (Reuters) - South African grocery retailer SPAR Group SPPJ.J said on Monday it will exit the UK by selling its South West England business to A.F. Blakemore & Son and disposing of a further 63 stores in deals worth about 13 million pounds ($17.41 million).
AFB will acquire the South West England SPAR licence, 71 stores, associated warehouse and logistics infrastructure and related independent retailer supply agreements.
63 more stores are being sold to third-party operators.
Total gross proceeds of about 13 million pounds from deal.
SPAR previously recognised a 78.5 million euro impairment relating to the UK business and no cash outflow is expected.
"The disposal enables a clean exit from the United Kingdom, eliminating ongoing earnings drag and management distraction, while releasing capital and capacity to focus on core markets and strategic priorities," SPAR said.
Completion is expected between June and September 2026.
($1 = 0.7467 pounds)
