LuLu Group International, the Abu Dhabi-headquartered retail and hospitality behemoth further expanded the operations by inaugurating its food processing and logistics bases in the US.
Y International, a wholly owned subsidiary of the group, launched its operation in Lyndhurst, New Jersey yesterday.
The “world-class” export centre 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, eventually growing up to 250 within a year.
The facility was formally inaugurated jointly by mayor Robert B Giangeruso, mayor Michael J McPartland and Vinai Thummalapally, executive director, ‘Select USA’ in the presence of Yusuffali MA, chairman; Saifee Rupawala, CEO; Ashraf Ali MA, executive director and Mohamed Althaf, director of the LuLu Group.
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Attendees at the ribbon cutting ceremony, including local and foreign officials as well as members of the Indian-American business community from across the country, were thrilled by the impact the company can have throughout the state.
Yusuffali thanked the officials of Select USA, ‘Choose New Jersey’ as well as state and county officials for their support in helping LuLu launch their maiden venture in the US.
“Our group has been importing US products for a long time to cater to more than 700,000 shoppers who come to our 131 hypermarkets daily,” Yusuffali said highlighting the longstanding relationships between LuLu and farmers and manufacturers in the US, with a special emphasis on California. “There has been growing demand for US products throughout our retail chain stores, across the GCC, India and Far East” he added.
Speaking to media during the ceremony, Choose New Jersey CEO and president Michele Brown said, “In addition to bringing new jobs to our state, Y International’s export centre will give New Jersey and the US manufacturers the opportunity to reach new markets in the Middle East and beyond.”
“Y International USA’s decision to establish their first export distribution centre 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,” said Thummalapally. “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.”
The $6.6bn-turnover LuLu Group operates hypermarkets, supermarkets and shopping malls, in addition to wholesale distribution, food processing and hospitality with operations in some 37 countries, including the GCC, India and Far East. The company has a 32% market share in the Middle East.
As per the latest report by Deloitte International, LuLu is ranked among the “Top 10 fastest-growing retailers in the world.”
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