Dutch multinational retail-grocery franchise system Spar has launched six new locations in China in the midst of the coronavirus lockdown.

The firm benefitted from the scale and duration of China’s lockdown being briefer than initially feared – with an early easing of restrictions during April – as it opened six new supermarkets in Beijing, Guangdong and Shandong. 

The new stores offer local and essential goods with online and home delivery options. 

Observations in Retail Insight Network suggested the new stores may serve to relieve pressure from the retailer’s delivery platforms in redistributing demand more equally, as well as support vulnerable communities that may not have access to online platforms with its focus on daily essentials and groceries.

About 73 per cent of Chinese consumers are still significantly concerned about a reemergence of the coronavirus within the territory, which may impact consumer engagement with Spar’s new venues. The firm has implemented a range of health and safety measures within all stores to assuage customer concerns.