Spar’s Supplier Programme Elevates Simply Deli to National Success

Spar’s Supplier Programme Elevates Simply Deli to National Success. For many South African entrepreneurs, creating a great product is only half the challenge. The real test lies in gaining access to retail markets, meeting compliance requirements, and building a business capable of scaling sustainably. Recognising these barriers, Spar has developed its Supplier Development Programme, designed to help small and emerging businesses strengthen their capabilities and grow into sustainable retail suppliers.

One of the businesses benefiting from the initiative is Simply Deli, a proudly South African producer of cook‑in sauces and marinades. Its journey from a small kitchen operation to supermarket shelves highlights the transformative potential of supplier development programmes.

Behind Simply Deli is founder Yolande Buckley, whose culinary career spans nearly five decades. A pivotal moment came in 2003 when her employer gifted her the Thanda Bantu Catering business, sparking her entrepreneurial path. In 2020, Buckley began developing her own recipes, refining flavours and techniques, and by 2021, Simply Deli was launched.

Like many small businesses, Simply Deli faced hurdles entering formal retail channels. Compliance, food safety, packaging, and labelling requirements often limit growth for promising products. Spar’s programme provided critical support, helping Buckley align her brand with retail standards.

The programme equips entrepreneurs with practical skills and industry knowledge, offering assistance with certification, product testing, packaging, and labelling. Beyond technical support, participants gain access to Spar’s extensive retail network, introducing their products to consumers nationwide.

“For a growing brand such as ours, being associated with a retailer like Spar is incredibly valuable,” Buckley says. “It’s been a turning point in my journey. It has helped me align Simply Deli with retail requirements, not just product quality, but consistency, packaging and scalability.”

Spar views supplier development as an investment in local economic growth and job creation. A spokesperson noted, “Entrepreneurship has the power to shift the dial on many of South Africa’s socio‑economic challenges. By equipping suppliers with the right tools and knowledge, we are helping them build sustainable businesses that can thrive within their communities.”

For consumers, the benefits include greater access to locally manufactured products and authentic homegrown brands. As demand grows for convenient, high‑quality meal solutions, Simply Deli’s rise demonstrates how entrepreneurial passion, matched with the right support, can create lasting impact.