LuLu Group International, the Abu Dhabi-based retail and hospitality group, further expanded its operations by inaugurating food processing and logistics bases in the US, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

Y International, a wholly owned subsidiary of the group launched its operation in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, said a statement from the company.

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 which is expected to eventually grow to 200 to 250 employees within one year, it said.

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 LuLu Group, it added.

Attendees at the ribbon cutting, including local and foreign officials as well as members of the Indian-American business community from around the country, were thrilled by the impact the company can have throughout the state.

In his remarks Yusuffali MA thanked the officials of Select USA, Choose New Jersey and State and county officials for their great support in helping LuLu launch their maiden venture in US, said a statement.

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 US manufacturers the opportunity to reach new markets in the Middle East and beyond.”

The $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 per cent market share in the Middle East.

Brown said New Jersey is a perfect fit "Our state is so diverse; we have populations from so many different countries,” she said.

“We felt they would feel both welcome and at home. The business they will be conducting out of this site is meeting American companies to buy goods and products to then export to their own consumer base,” she added.

“We have literally thousands of companies in food in New Jersey,” she concluded.

New Jersey, Brown said, is also home to companies in the apparel and consumer goods industries, which could serve the needs of the company’s Hypermarkets.

As per the latest report by Deloitte International, LuLu is ranked among the Top 10 fastest-growing retailers in the world.

An official from Bahrain embassy in Washington DC, Mohamed Bahzad, said Ali's company, aside from being successful, also is known for its corporate social responsibility.

Bahzad added that a strong relationship with the US is a core strategy for Bahrain, where LuLu is opening its 10th market, and anticipates a market will open soon in the US, it stated. – TradeArabia News Service