Business
LAUGFS Supermarkets celebrates 20 years of ‘revolutionizing’ supermarket culture
LAUGFS Supermarkets (Pvt.) Ltd. began operations on the October, 31 2000, with its first outlet opening in Havelock Town and they celebrate 20th year anniversary this October 2020. Today the supermarket chain has expanded to 38 outlets with 36 of them located in the Western Province and two outlets located in Kurunegala and Chilaw.
The chain which was initially named ‘Sun-Up’, was rebranded as ‘LAUGFS Supermarkets’ in 2011. The re-branding follows a two-tier model with LAUGFS Super and LAUGFS SuperMart being the flagship brands. LAUGFS Super offers a larger scale store with an even wider range of products for customers to choose from and LAUGFS SuperMart provides customers with a compact, convenient and easily accessible selection of daily necessities.
From its inception, the organisation operated with innovation at its core; the Havelock Town outlet was the first supermarket in Sri Lanka to introduce the 24 hour retailing concept which has now extended to 7 additional outlets located in Wellawatte, Rajagiriya, Maharagama, Kandana, Negombo 2, Kolonnawa and Pelawatte.
Furthermore, LAUGFS Supermarkets was also the first supermarket brand in Sri Lanka to operate alongside their own LAUGFS brand of fuel stations, providing customers with additional shopping convenience. Years of relentless dedication in pursuit of driving innovation in retail and providing customers with an expedient shopping experience has enabled the chain to serve over 1,000,000 shoppers monthly.
Adding to its long list of milestones, the organization began operations of Medz pharmacy, its very own pharmacy chain, across 19 outlets. At present it caters to over 35,000 monthly customers with a wide range of over 2,500 products. LAUGFS Supermarkets also owns and operates Crimson Bakeries, its own brand of bakeries producing fresh baked goods. Crimson products are featured across all 38 outlets, with two standalone Crimson bakery outlets located in Bellanthara and Nedimala. In addition to fresh produce, groceries and everyday necessities, the supermarkets also facilitate the payment of utility bills such as water, electricity, e-channelling, insurance and mobile bills. LAUGFS Supermarkets has its own loyalty card programme; the “LAUGFS One” loyalty card, which allows shoppers to earn rewards for their purchases and enjoy exclusive offers.
Commenting on the occasion of its 20th anniversary, Chief Executive Officer of LAUGFS Supermarkets (Pvt.) Ltd., Mrs. Lilanthi Herath, said, “We began operations with the goal of bringing our shoppers, a fresh and friendly experience with every visit they make to a LAUGFS Supermarket. We have continued to consistently enhance this objective over the last 20 years. In light of this milestone, we celebrate our loyal customers who place their trust in us every day. They continue to be the central focus of our pursuit for constant improvement. As we look back at 20 years of growth, we would like to sincerely thank our customers and we are highly optimistic of the prospects of LAUGFS Supermarkets in the future of Sri Lankan retailing. We plan to continue expanding for years to come as we bring innovation, convenience and superior service to the increasing number of Sri Lankan households.”
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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