Despar, a Spar concessionaire for Northeast Italy, has opened what it claims is 'the most beautiful supermarket in Italy'.
The retailer has invested more than €2.5 million in the renovation and furnishing of the former Cinema Teatro Italia in Venice, while a similar amount has also been invested by the building’s owner (the Coin family).
The investment has prevented a jewel of neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau of the early 20th century, in disuse for decades, from ending up in complete decay.
The restoration was conducted in close collaboration and under the supervision of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage. The solutions for the supermarket shelves, lighting and installations took into account the need to preserve the integrity of the rooms and decorations.
The project is not a first for Despar, as it is already present in historic buildings in Trento, Verona and Vicenza.
The sales area is restricted to 580 square metres, hosting around 8,700 SKUs, almost exclusively food.
The store is designed to meet both the needs of residents and those of tourists, commuters and students (with many take away and food-to-go products). In the coming months a home delivery service will also be introduced.
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
