By Tendai Chisiri
HARARE – SPAR Zimbabwe has officially launched two major customer initiatives — the SPAR Rewards programme and the return of its flagship promotional campaign, WOZA Summer — in what the retailer calls “the beginning of a new era of customer-led, data-driven promotions.”
Addressing suppliers, store managers, independent retailers and media at the launch in Harare on Wednesday, SPAR Zimbabwe Financial Director Francis Muchuchu said the dual launch signals a deliberate shift away from blanket discounting towards smarter, evidence-based trading.
“Traditionally, retail promotions have largely been about stacking them, cutting prices and giving away margin in the hope of generating volume. Going forward, we want to be far more deliberate,” Muchuchu said.
“At SPAR, ‘Better Together’ is far more than a tagline. It reflects our belief that when we bring our customers, colleagues, retailers and supplier partners together, we create richer experiences and greater value for everyone.”
After what Muchuchu described as “a long hiatus from major promotions,” the annual WOZA Summer returns and will run from 14 August to 30 September 2026. The name comes from Ndebele and Zulu, meaning “Welcome!” or “Come on in!”
“It is what you say when you want someone to stop standing at the gate, step aside and join the party,” he said. “And summer in Zimbabwe is more than a change in weather. It is about the outdoors, the braai, family, friends and creating vibrant memories under the sun.”
This year SPAR is giving away over US$100,000 in prizes to more than 300 winners. Activities will include weekly Trolley Dashes, Pop-a-Balloon, Spin-and-Win, happy hours and in-store surprises.
In the Trolley Dash, customers will have a timed opportunity to race through aisles and fill their trolleys. To qualify, shoppers must register for SPAR Rewards and spend US$20 or more, including at least three participating sponsor products.
At the heart of the campaign is SPAR Rewards, which Muchuchu said will recognise loyal customers while creating value across the SPAR ecosystem. The programme will enable SPAR to track customer behaviour, identify products that drive traffic, and measure where promotional investment delivers the best return.
“The integration of SPAR Rewards with WOZA Summer is a significant step forward,” he said. “We will no longer promote blindly. We want to move from blanket discounting to intelligent value, from assumptions to evidence, and from simply giving away margin to deploying promotional investment where it creates profitable growth.”
Muchuchu thanked sponsors and supplier partners for their support, but urged them to “engage with data” to build stronger partnerships. He also called on store teams to deliver on execution.
“Head Office can develop the promotion, but ultimately the magic happens on the shop floor. The energy in our stores, the customer experience at the till and the quality of execution will determine the success of this campaign,” he said.
Closing, he said: “WOZA Summer is back. SPAR Rewards is here. And together they represent the beginning of a new era of customer-led, data-driven and profitable promotions at SPAR Zimbabwe. Here’s to better shopping, better rewards, stronger partnerships and unforgettable summer moments — because at SPAR, we are always better together.”
SPAR Zimbabwe operates a network of independently owned supermarkets across the country.
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