Spar Market Share Revised Downward by NielsenIQ | Leadersnet

Vienna, Austria – NielsenIQ has revised its market share data for the Austrian grocery retail sector, significantly lowering Spar’s reported share for 2024. The adjustment, revealed on April 3, 2026, impacts the competitive landscape and raises questions about the accuracy of initial market assessments. This correction follows an initial report by Leadersnet detailing the market share distribution.

According to the revised figures, Spar’s market share for 2024 stands at 36.9 percent, a slight increase from 36.8 percent in 2023 – a gain of 0.1 percentage points. However, the gap between Spar and its closest competitor, Rewe, has widened to 3.3 percentage points. Rewe, which operates Billa, Billa Plus, Adeg, and Penny, saw its market share decline by 0.3 percentage points, landing at 33.6 percent.

The NielsenIQ data also shows a resurgence in the performance of discount retailers Hofer, and Lidl. While NielsenIQ combines the market share of Hofer and Lidl, the data indicates they gained ground against the full-range supermarkets in the second half of 2024. Previously, in 2023, NielsenIQ had reported a combined decrease of 0.2 percentage points for Hofer and Lidl, suggesting a significant turnaround in their performance.

SPAR Austria Reports Sales Growth Despite Market Share Adjustment

Despite the revised market share figures, SPAR Austria Group recently reported a 4% increase in sales to €22.3 billion for its financial year 2025. The group operates approximately 3,326 stores across Austria and five neighboring countries, encompassing food retail, sports retail, and shopping centers. The company employs over 93,000 people, with 51,000 based in Austria.

SPAR Austria’s food retail business in Austria generated a turnover of €10.82 billion in 2025, representing a 4.2% increase compared to the previous year. NielsenIQ data indicates this growth outpaced the industry average of 3.4%, solidifying SPAR’s position as a market leader. The company anticipates a further market share increase of 0.2% following the acquisition of 25 Unimarkt stores.

Strategic Shifts and Regional Focus

In January 2026, SPAR Austria sold its Hervis sports retail chain to concentrate on food retail and develop innovative, sustainable stores. Hans K. Reisch, CEO of SPAR Austria, emphasized the importance of a strong local supply chain, stating, “A high quality of life includes a well-developed, easily accessible local supply chain that meets the diverse needs of the local population.”

“Our mission is to improve people’s quality of life, so we focus on offering regional products at affordable prices and on continually improving our supermarkets and shopping centres as community spaces.”

Hans K. Reisch, CEO of SPAR Austria

SPAR Austria expanded its presence in Austria by opening 17 new stores during the year, bringing the total number of outlets to 1,154. The group also experienced sales growth of 7.1% and 7.6% in Slovenia and Croatia, respectively, with a particular focus on expansion in Istria and the coastal regions of Croatia.

Looking ahead, SPAR Austria plans to invest approximately €800 million in 2026 to expand and enhance its store network. This investment underscores the company’s commitment to growth and innovation within the Austrian and regional food retail markets.

The correction of Spar’s market share by NielsenIQ highlights the dynamic nature of the Austrian grocery retail sector and the importance of accurate data in assessing competitive positions. While Spar maintains its lead, the gains made by Hofer and Lidl, coupled with Rewe’s decline, suggest an increasingly competitive landscape.