This year is set to be the ultimate sports season, and for convenience stores like SPAR, it’s the biggest retail opportunity outside of Christmas. To add some fun and excitement to this busy time, SPAR is launching a creative new campaign – SPARaoke – the first-ever karaoke competition held inside convenience stores.
SPARaoke isn’t just about shopping – it’s about turning your everyday grocery trip into a chance to be a local singing champion. The campaign promises to bring joy, entertainment, and a healthy dose of competition to over 100 participating SPAR stores across England and Wales. So, if you’ve ever dreamed of grabbing a mic and belting out a tune while picking up yoursnacks, now’s your chance!
What is SPARaoke?
SPARaoke is SPAR’s innovative karaoke competition, where you can sing along to classic sporting anthems played in-store and win your basket for free! It’s simple: when you hear an iconic song on SPAR Radio, rush to the checkout mic, sing for at least 30 seconds, and you could win your entire basket of essentials!
The ‘Make Me a Champion’ Campaign
The SPARaoke Saturdays competition is part of SPAR’s broader ‘Make Me a Champion’ campaign, which aims to energize customers, create a sense of community, and offer light-hearted relief from the stress of watching major sporting events like football, the Olympics, Paralympics, and tennis.
Every Saturday, SPAR stores will be playing iconic champion anthems over their in-store radio. Once you hear the song, you grab the mic at checkout, sing for at least 30 seconds, and you could win your entire shopping basket for free! If you’re feeling extra lucky, you could also enter a prize draw to win a month’s worth of groceries.
It’s not just about the prizes, though. Sarah Ellis, Group Marketing Director at A.F. Blakemore & Son (the largest SPAR wholesaler), explained:
“Our ‘Make Me a Champion’ campaign is designed to excite and entertain our customers across England and Wales. It’s a point of differentiation – where else can you act out your karaoke talents, become a singing Champion, while doing your local shop?”
This campaign brings a fresh and unique approach to grocery shopping, making the usual grocery run a little more fun.
SPARaoke – Your Ticket to Fun and Free Groceries
Here’s how SPARaoke Saturdays work:
- Visit your local SPAR store: Over 100 SPAR stores across England and Wales are participating. Find out if your local SPAR is part of the campaign.
- Listen to the in-store radio: Keep an ear out for an iconic champion song (think Queen’s “We Are the Champions”).
- Grab the mic: Once you hear the anthem, dash to the mic at the checkout and start singing!
- Sing for at least 30 seconds: If you keep the tune going, you’ll be in with a chance to win your basket of groceries for free!
- Enter the prize draw: After you’ve had your moment in the spotlight, you can enter a prize draw for the chance to win a month’s worth of groceries.
SPARaoke in Action: Fun for All
This competition isn’t just about the prizes – it’s about bringing communities together. Whether you’re singing along to your favorite anthem or cheering on someone else, SPARaoke Saturdays promise to be filled with laughter and excitement. After all, who wouldn’t want to be a singing champion while grabbing their burgers, chips, dips, and strawberries?
For those looking for a little more excitement, SPAR is also taking the fun on the road. Their food trucks will be touring the UK, making stops at events like the Royal Norfolk Show, the Shrewsbury Food Festival, and the Royal Welsh Show. Fans can sample new treats and old favorites, while also participating in a live SPARaoke competition. It’s the perfect combination of great food, fun music, and the chance to win some amazing prizes.
Bringing Communities Together
One of the most exciting aspects of this campaign is its focus on community. SPAR isn’t just trying to make sales – they’re aiming to create an enjoyable, memorable experience for their customers and staff alike. At the heart of this campaign is SPAR’s mission to bring joy and fun to the local community.
Convenience stores like SPAR aren’t just about groceries—they’re about connecting with customers on a personal level. And with the Make Me a Champion campaign, SPAR is celebrating the unsung heroes of the community: its customers and staff.
Sarah Ellis emphasizes that the campaign is also designed to celebrate store staff, who work hard to support their local communities:
“We wanted to create a moment that would involve our wonderful store staff, who do so much for their local communities. It’s a unique campaign that provides differentiation at a local level.”
SPARaoke Saturdays give customers and staff a chance to connect in a fun, lighthearted way, turning ordinary shopping trips into extraordinary experiences. Plus, in a time when many people are feeling stressed by the pressure of sporting events, this campaign provides a refreshing escape.
Why the Convenience Industry Loves a Good Competition
Competitions like SPARaoke aren’t just fun—they’re a smart way to engage customers and increase store foot traffic. In the convenience industry, creating memorable shopping experiences is crucial, and SPAR’s karaoke twist does just that.
Customers love a reason to visit their local store, and when they know there’s a chance to win something (especially free groceries), they’ll be coming back for more. This campaign also sets SPAR apart from other retailers, showing that convenience stores can be both practical and entertaining.
How MPOS Can Help Convenience Stores Maximize Engagement
While SPARaoke brings the fun, there’s also a practical side to managing such a busy and engaging campaign. Convenience store owners can look to MPOS systems to streamline their operations during high-traffic events like SPARaoke Saturdays.
By integrating MPOS’s self-service kiosks or Electronic Shelf Edge Labels (ESELs), stores can enhance the shopping experience, reduce waiting times, and keep customers engaged longer. For instance, MPOS kiosks could allow customers to check out quickly after their karaoke performance, reducing queues and giving staff more time to interact with customers.
In addition, ESELs can ensure that pricing and product information are always up-to-date, avoiding any confusion during such a busy campaign. With digital displays, customers can easily spot promotional items like the burgers, chips, and dips that will likely fill their baskets during sports.
While SPARaoke brings the fun, MPOS brings the efficiency that makes it all possible. MPOS systems, for instance, can assist store owners by offering seamless checkout processes, making it easier for customers to participate in events while managing their shopping effortlessly. The future of convenience store competitions looks even brighter with these tech upgrades!
Ready to SPARaoke?
If you’re in England or Wales this season, be sure to visit your local SPAR store on SPARaoke Saturdays. Whether you’re a karaoke pro or just in it for the fun, this campaign is a great way to make your shopping trip unforgettable – and maybe even bag your groceries for free.
SPARaoke isn’t just for adults—it’s for everyone. Whether you’re a kid belting out your favourite tune or a parent doing an impromptu duet with your little one, this karaoke competition brings the family together. Convenience stores like SPAR create an environment where people of all ages can feel included, have fun, and maybe even walk away with a free basket of goodies.
So, grab the mic, sing your heart out, and get ready to feel like a true champion!
