SPAR has launched a new UK-wide activation designed to increase footfall, drive ‘shop little and often’ missions and strengthen community engagement across its estate, partnering with fitness personality Mr Motivator to front the initiative.
The Fuel Your Spring campaign, launching on 20 March 2026, is built around new OnePoll research[1], commissioned by SPAR, which shows that 84 percent of shoppers say a short daily walk improves their mood, while 71 percent would be more likely to walk to local shops if they knew it supported their wellbeing.
For retailers, the campaign is designed to increase visit frequency, grow small-basket missions, and reinforce SPAR’s dedication to the communities which they serve.
Throughout the first month of spring, as part of the Fuel Your Spring campaign, customers who take on the Step to SPAR Challenge to regularly walk to their local SPAR store will be rewarded with in-store incentives and the chance to win ten £1,000 prizes, helping retailers convert increased footfall into incremental spend.
The campaign also highlights the operational advantages of convenience shopping. Research shows that a typical convenience trip saves customers more than 20 minutes compared with a supermarket visit, while short 5-10 minute walks deliver measurable wellbeing benefits. SPAR is positioning this as a “double win” for shoppers and retailers, encouraging customers to shop locally, more often and with greater mission clarity.
Mr Motivator will front the campaign showing how small, achievable habits can be built into everyday routines, including walking to local stores. He launched the campaign with a big community walk on Friday 20 March in Birmingham – near A F Blakemore’s Willenhall Headquarters, he commented:
“A short walk to the shop can do more for you than you think. Movement does not have to be a marathon, it just has to make you feel good. Spring is the perfect time to reset with small, achievable habits, and I am delighted to support SPAR in celebrating those small steps that lift our mood and boost our energy.”
CJ Antal Smith, Chief Commercial Officer at AF Blakemore, added:
“This is about making movement simple and achievable for everyone – and our stores are perfectly placed to support that. SPAR is part of everyday life in communities across the UK, and this initiative shows how convenience retail can play a meaningful role in wellbeing, movement and local connection. The Step to SPAR Challenge is a great way to reward shoppers for choosing local.”
The Step to SPAR Challenge runs from 20 March to 20 April 2026. Shoppers can pick up their Step to SPAR card from their local store and collect stamps every time they walk to SPAR, unlocking a range of rewards including the chance to win 10 prizes of £1,000.
Fuel Your Spring forms part of SPAR’s wider strategy to support independent retailers with footfall-driving campaigns, strengthen local engagement and help stores differentiate through community relevance and everyday wellbeing.
[1] *OnePoll research, Online (CAWI) survey, 24th-27th February 2026
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