Loblaw buys into Middle Eastern niche

Loblaw Co. is branching out into Middle Eastern food with the purchase of Arz Fine Foods.

By Staff | May 7, 2014 | Last updated on May 7, 2014

1 min read

Loblaw Co. is branching out into Middle Eastern foods with its purchase of Arz Fine Foods.

Toronto-based Arz is a Middle Eastern grocery store that will operate as a unique operating division of Loblaw.

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People of Middle Eastern descent make up about 2% of Canada’s population, and are among the fastest-growing market segments.

“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,” says Vicente Trius, president, Loblaw Companies Limited.

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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 purchase includes a 10,000-square-foot retail store, commercial bakery, food commissary, and distribution centre.

Loblaw plans to provide customers across the country with more Middle Eastern products in the coming months.