The name of the Mexican supermarket chain Chedraui is directly related to its founder. The company originated in 1927 in the city of Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, when Lebanese (then Ottoman) immigrant Lazaro Chedraoui opened a small clothing store, Porto de Veracruz. Over time, the Chedraoui family's business expanded: everyday goods were added to textiles, and then full-fledged supermarkets appeared.
Last name «Chedraui» in Spanish transcription it conveys an Arabic surname (it has different spellings, in particular Shedrawi, Shadraoui). Such surnames are often found among people from Lebanon and Syria.
The name Chedraoui has become a brand, a symbol of affordable prices and a wide range. The people even stuck with the slogan: «Si cuesta menos, es Chedraui» («If it is cheaper — then it is Chedraoui»). Today the chain occupies one of the leading positions in the Mexican retail market and is known far beyond the country's borders. But Chedraui's headquarters remained in the city of Xalapa, Veracruz.
To summarize, the title «Chedraoui» — This is not a marketing invention, but the name of a family that almost a century ago turned a small store into one of the largest retail chains in Mexico.
Over the years, the Chedraui chain has become one of the three largest retail operators in Mexico, along with Walmart and Soriana. The company's development accelerated thanks to the launch of the Super Chedraui and Chedraui Selecto formats, designed for different consumer segments — from buyers looking for affordable prices to clients preferring premium service.
The expansion of business in the United States was a historic step. Chedraui stores in California, Nevada and Texas have allowed the company to gain a foothold in a market with high demand among the Hispanic population.
According to Forbes Mexico, Alfredo Chedraoui Obeso, the son of the company's founder, and his family will be worth more than $2 billion by 2025, making him one of the state's most powerful entrepreneurs.
Since 2005, Grupo Chedraui shares have been listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV). The company's financial performance is growing due to stable sales within the country and strengthening of its international presence, which ensures a stable increase in annual income.