Arz Group Limited to operate as separate division of Loblaw
BRAMPTON, ON, May 7, 2014 /CNW/ - (TSX:L) -- Loblaw Companies Limited ("Loblaw") today announced that it has
purchased Arz Fine Foods, an established Middle Eastern grocery
retailer located in Toronto, Ontario. It will operate as a unique
operating division of Loblaw.
"This key partnership holds great promise as Canada's Middle Eastern
population and the Canadian taste for Middle Eastern food continues to
grow," said Vicente Trius, President, Loblaw Companies Limited. "Arz
Fine Foods is a trusted Middle Eastern supermarket with strong product
expertise. The combination of Arz Fine Foods and Loblaw will follow the
same approach used with our T&T business, which introduced ethnic
expertise and products into our broader business in a very authentic
way." Founded in 1989 by the Boyadjian family, Arz Fine Foods began as
a specialty bakery and has since grown to include deli, fresh produce,
halal meat, groceries and ready to eat foods. The business also
includes a 10,000-square-foot retail store, commercial bakery, food
commissary, and distribution centre.
"This is a tremendous partnership for our family and our business", said
Armand Boyadjian, co-founder. "This acquisition recognizes the
commitment of our employees to become a leader in our field. With
Loblaw, we will continue to maintain our authenticity and enhance our
customer experience and reach. This is a great opportunity to share our
passion and products with even more Canadians."
Canada's Middle Eastern population represents about 2% and is one of the
fastest growing market segments.
Select Real Canadian Superstore® and Loblaws® stores located in the Great Toronto Area currently carry Arz Fine Foods
brand Baklava with plans to provide customers across the country with
an expanded selection of their specialty products in the coming months.
About Loblaw Companies Limited
Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada's food and pharmacy leader, the nation's largest retailer,
and the majority unitholder of Choice Properties Real Estate Investment
Trust. Loblaw provides Canadians with grocery, pharmacy, health and
beauty, apparel, general merchandise, banking, and wireless mobile
products and services. With more than 2,300 corporate, franchised and
Associate-owned locations, Loblaw, its franchisees, and
Associate-owners employ approximately 192,000 full- and part-time
employees, making it one of Canada's largest private sector employers.
Loblaw's purpose - Live Life Well - puts first the needs and well-being of Canadians who make one billion
transactions annually in the companies' stores. Loblaw is positioned to
meet and exceed those needs in many ways: convenient locations; more
than 1,050 grocery stores that span the value spectrum from discount to
specialty; full-service pharmacies at more than 1,250 Shoppers Drug
Mart® and Pharmaprix® locations and more than 500 Loblaw locations PC Financial® no-fee banking; affordable Joe Fresh® fashion and family apparel; and three of Canada's top consumer brands
in Life Brand®, no name® and President's Choice®. Through the PC Plus™ and Shoppers Optimum® loyalty programs, more than one in every three Canadians are rewarded
for shopping with the companies.
About Arz Fine Foods
Arz Fine Foods is comprised of a retail grocery store, commercial bakery
and food commissary. We are purveyors of exotic Middle Eastern and
Mediterranean cuisine. Our philosophy for food combines the exotic and
traditional Middle East meets contemporary and curious West. Arz Fine
Foods has kept pace with the rapid growth of Toronto as a World Class
city by providing authentic fresh, frozen and prepared Middle Eastern
and Mediterranean produce, groceries, deli, fresh and frozen prepared
foods and baked goods.
The freshest ingredients are at the core of everything we sell and
produce. Whether are customers are looking for the freshest ingredients
to create their own recipes or to select from our vast variety of
prepared foods, Arz Fine Foods is the destination of choice.
SOURCE Loblaw Companies Limited
