Alrifai

Alrifai or Al Rifai Nuts is a Lebanese multinational nut-retailing company headquartered in Beirut, Lebanon, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Alrifai International Holding Ltd. It is the largest nut-retailing chain in the Middle East and the company with the biggest market share in Lebanon[1].

ALRIFAI
TypePrivately Held
IndustryRetail
Founded1948 (Beirut)
FounderMohammed Rifai,
HeadquartersBeirut,Lebanon
Number of locations
over 350 (9 May 2014)
Area served
Lebanon, Kuwait, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Panama, Cyprus, Jordan, Oman, Armenia, Poland
Key people
Mohamed Rifai
(CEO)
Moussa Rifai, Jr.
(Group General Manager)
ProductsNuts, kernels, coffee, confectionery, chocolates, gifting
Number of employees
1,200
Websitewww.alrifai.com

Alrifai was founded in Beirut in 1948 by Moussa Rifai, Sr. as a home-based operation supplying roasted nuts and coffee to the local neighbourhood. It has since grown to over 350 stores across 15 countries. In addition to its retail brand, Alrifai wholesales nuts under other brands.

History

Moussa Rifai, Sr. founded a home-based nut booth in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1948, supplying local households.[2] Alrifai branched out to retailing nuts and coffee in the 1960s when its first store opened in Beirut, Lebanon.

In 1970, Mohamed Rifai, the son of Moussa Rifai, Sr. joined the business and started the expansion. In 2009, Alrifai celebrated the opening of its 300th store in Saudi Arabia. In December 2013, Alrifai sold its biggest wholesale operation in Sweden, for 100 million SEK, to fully concentrate on the retail business expansion.[3] By the end of 2014, the company had opened its 60th store in Lebanon, reaching a 46.5% market share.[4]

Operations

Locations
Alrifai flagship store in Mkalles under the new redesign

Alrifai operated 62 outlets in Lebanon as of August 2014. Internationally, it operates more than 250 stores throughout the world in 15 countries.

As well as their usual high street location, Alrifai outlets can be found in airports and within several supermarket chains such as Spinneys, Carrefour, Monoprix and others. Alrifai also has independent stores in malls across the Middle East. Alrifai's expansion has been the subject of courses taught at the AUB in Beirut.[5]

Nut production

Alrifai has its own nut and coffee factories. The variety of nut mixes served in retail stores is their own invention and trademark. It plans to expand capacity in 2014.[6]

References
  1. Speetjens, Peter (30 September 2014). "Nuts for nuts". Executive Magazine. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  2. ALRIFAI, Roastery. "History of Company". www.alrifai.com. ALRIFAI. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  3. "Cloetta completes acquisition of Alrifai Nutisal AB". Reuters. Reuters. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  4. Brooke, Anderson (May 28, 2012). "Going nuts for Lebanese roasting traditions". Daily Star. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  5. Hagop, Panossian. "Al Rifai: Lebanese Nuts Go West" (PDF). AUB. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-12-27. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  6. Dana, Halawi (1 October 2014). "Nuts to security concerns: Al Rifai expands despite risks". Daily Star. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
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