The Austrian branch of multinational retail chain SPAR has unveiled a new climate-friendly supermarket concept in Vienna.  

Located in Vollbadgasse, the new SPAR supermarket is in a building containing a medical centre, nursing home, kindergarten and 60 apartments. 

It incorporates an energy concept that re-uses waste heat from the supermarket to provide energy for the entire building complex. 

Waste heat that was previously released into the environment through a re-cooling system on the roof is now regenerated to heat the supermarket and supply energy to neighbouring businesses and apartments. 

The 600m² supermarket features a combined refrigeration system for its deep-freeze and refrigerated cabinets.  

It is equipped exclusively with LED light strips, spotlights and advertising lighting, reducing electricity use by 60% compared to traditional lighting sources.

The refrigeration system also adheres to environmentally friendly standards, using only sustainable refrigerants or CO₂. 

With range of 10,000 products, the supermarket places its emphasis on fresh offerings such as sushi and includes a delicatessen, bakery, butchery and cheese counter.  

It also offers fruit and vegetables, hot food-to-go products, sandwiches, wraps and salads. 

The supermarket has a team of 16 colleagues led by store manager, Goran Petrovic. 

In September 2023, SPAR Austria adopted renewable hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) to fuel more than 50% of its fleet of trucks.