Lulu Group International, the Abu Dhabi headquartered retail and hospitality group further expanded its operations by taking its food processing and logistics base to the USA. Y International, a wholly owned subsidiary of the group, has launched its operation in Lyndhurst, New Jersey.
The export center will purchase, process, re-label and export food, non-food, chilled and frozen products made in the US. In the first phase, there are 75 employees, a number that is expected to eventually grow to 200 to 250 employees within first year.
The facility was formally inaugurated jointly by Mayor Robert B. Giangeruso, Mayor Michael J. McPartland and Vinai Thummalapally, the Executive Director of Select USA in the presence of Yusuffali MA, Chairman, Saifee Rupawala, CEO, Ashraf Ali MA – Executive Director and Mohd. Althaf – Director of LuluGroup.
In his remarks, Mr Yusuffali thanked the officials of Select USA, Choose New Jersey and State & county officials for their support in helping Lulu launch its maiden venture in USA. “Our group has been importing U.S. products for a long time to cater to more than 700,000 shoppers who come to our 131 hypermarkets daily,” Mr Yusufali added highlighting the longstanding relationships between Lulu and farmers and manufacturers in the country, with a special emphasis on California. “There has been growing demand for U.S. products throughout our retail chain stores, across the GCC, India and Far East” he said.
“Y International USA’s decision to establish their first export distribution center in the United States offers the company exciting new opportunities in the world’s largest consumer market, as well as enhanced access to hundreds of millions of global consumers. We look forward to working closely with all parties as the investment progresses – and extend our warmest congratulations to Lulu Group International, Choose New Jersey, and the community of Lyndhurst,” said Mr Thummalapally.
The USD 6.6 billion turnover Lulu Group, operates hypermarkets, supermarkets and shopping malls, in addition to wholesale distribution, food processing and hospitality with operations in 37 countries, including the GCC, India and Far East. The company has a 32 percent market share in the Middle East.
As per a Deloitte International report, Lulu is ranked among the top 10 fastest-growing retailers in the world.
