Symbol group Spar International is attempting to defy the credit crunch with a strong global expansion campaign.

Spar plans to target the emerging markets of China, Russia and India. In China, it aims to up its store count to 80. At the end of last year, it had 46 stores there.

Spar has four partners in China already and has signed a fifth, Shanxi Meet All Chain Supermarkt Co, for expansion into the Shanxi Province and parts of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous District.

In India, Spar opened its first store in October last year, stocking food, general merchandise, textiles and electronics. It aims to have nine shops there by the end of 2009, with partner Max Hypermarkets, a subsidiary of UAE-based Landmark Group.

In Russia, Spar is setting up a new organisational structure in an effort to hit sales of 1 billion (£796 million) in the next 12 months. The retailer has 128 stores in the country at present, generating sales of 545 million (£433.8 million).

A Spar spokeswoman said: “The emerging markets are big for Spar and we see plenty of scope for expansion. The economy is a worry, but we are still showing growth.”

Last month, Spar launched its biggest advertising drive to date in the UK, called Sorted. Running across TV, press, radio and in stores, the£3.7 million campaign aims to show customers the role Spar can play in their daily lives.

Spar marketing director Susan Darbyshire said the campaign will run for the remainder of the year. She said: “This campaign has been designed to help Spar retailers drive sales and we have invested heavily to support this.

“It is based on the idea that Spar has the very thing your day needs.”

Spar’s sales, from 13,604 stores in 33 countries, increased to 27.22 billion (£21.67 billion) in its 2007 financial year. With 2,557 shops, the UK has the highest number of stores.