L'Opéra Makes Its Mark As The Authentic French Bakery In India
Progressive Grocer|September 2019
L’Opéra, a high-end pastry and bakery house in Delhi-NCR, specializes in French bakery products and has been the pioneer of high-end, authentic French bakery products in India. Some of the products that it pioneered in India was macaron as well as the finest French pâtisserie – Boulangerie – thereby creating a market for these products. With the concept getting well appreciated by the customers and becoming a great success with the patrons, the brand has embarked on an ambitious expansion plan. Laurent Samandari, MD, L’Opéra, speaks to Progressive Grocer about the company’s pioneering efforts in creating and building a market for French bakery products in the Capital and its plans for further growing the business.
L'Opéra Makes Its Mark As The Authentic French Bakery In India

It all dates back to 2011 when the Samandari family shifted to India. Born and brought up in France, it was inevitable for them to miss the French authenticity in the country. It was this realization that spurred Laurent Samandari to come up with the idea of introducing a French Boulangerie in India and thus, L’Opéra came into being. The brand started with its flagship store in Delhi’s iconic Khan Market. Today, L’Opéra has expanded its presence to over 15 points of sale in Delhi-NCR & Dehradun at various high-street locations.

The family is actively involved in running the business and maintaining the high standards of service and excellence that L’Opéra has set for itself. Recounting their experience that laid the foundation of the French Boulangerie, Laurent Samandari, MD, L’Opéra says: “We are the pioneers who introduced the finest French pâtisserie – Boulangerie – in India. We are faithful to our roots and are authentic with our French offerings, ambience and décor. For us, that is our USP. Our positioning in that regard is premium; however, the pricing is fairly competitive.”

He further adds: “By the end of this year, we will have some 22 outlets in Delhi-NCR, covering the key pockets of the region. There are of course other players in the category – albeit very few in the high-end segment – and they do seem to be increasing their number of outlets, both in Delhi and nationwide. But our unshakeable, resilient dedication to French authenticity and mastery is undoubtedly unique. And so, the competition merely emboldens us to attain even higher levels of excellence.”

This story is from the September 2019 edition of Progressive Grocer.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 2019 edition of Progressive Grocer.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM PROGRESSIVE GROCERView All
Gurgaon's First and Most Successful Independent F&G Retailer
Progressive Grocer

Gurgaon's First and Most Successful Independent F&G Retailer

SINCE LAUNCHING ITS FIRST OUTLET IN THE YEAR 2000 IN DLF GURGAON AT A TIME WHEN MODERN TRADE FOOD AND GROCERY STORES WERE NOWHERE ON THE RETAIL HORIZONS OF THE MILLENNIUM CITY, NEEDS SUPERMARKET HAS GROWN TO ADD 26 LARGE, MEDIUM AND SMALL STORES TO ITS KITTY, CLOCKING AN ADMIRABLE RUN RATE ON VARIOUS PARAMETERS OF RETAILING EXCELLENCE ALONG THE WAY. PROGRESSIVE GROCER SPOKE TO NEEDS SUPERMARKET’S MD AJAY DHAR, AND CEO, ARUN KHATTAR, ABOUT HOW THE GROCERY CHAIN HAS BEEN ABLE TO HOLD ITS OWN AND CLOCK STEADY GROWTH IN A HYPER-COMPETITIVE MARKET DOTTED WITH BIG-BOX NATIONAL RETAILERS AND THE SECRET SAUCE BEHIND ITS SUCCESS RECIPE.

time-read
10+ mins  |
August 2021
Paras Spices is innovating with unique products to meet new trends in the spices category
Progressive Grocer

Paras Spices is innovating with unique products to meet new trends in the spices category

CATEGORY WATCH FOOD STAPLES

time-read
5 mins  |
July 2021
Brands and retailers collaborate to promote the growth of non-alcoholic beverages
Progressive Grocer

Brands and retailers collaborate to promote the growth of non-alcoholic beverages

SUPER-HERB INFUSED BEVERAGES THAT BRING THE POWER-PACKED GOODNESS OF SUPERFRUITS ARE TAKING THE MARKET BY STORM. THESE NONALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES CLAIM TO CONTAIN ZERO CALORIES, ZERO SUGAR, ZERO ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS, AND ZERO PRESERVATIVES AND ARE DESIGNED FOR TODAY’S MILLENNIAL-GEN WHO ARE SEEKING A HEALTHY DRINK WITH A TASTY TWIST.

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2021
Just Outside the Box
Progressive Grocer

Just Outside the Box

THE HUMBLE PARKING LOT HAS BECOME A DIFFERENT KIND OF RETAIL DESTINATION AND HUB OF COMMERCE.

time-read
6 mins  |
July 2021
Increased Focus on Health, Wellness, and Immunity-boosting Products
Progressive Grocer

Increased Focus on Health, Wellness, and Immunity-boosting Products

SALES OF PACKAGED FOODS HAVE SURGED SINCE THE ONSET OF THE PANDEMIC, AS HOME-BOUND CONSUMERS STOCKPILE FAMILIAR PRODUCTS THAT WON’T GO STALE QUICKLY. BREAKFAST CEREALS, INSTANT NOODLES, RICE AND COOKING FATS ARE AMONG THE PRODUCTS THAT HAVE SEEN THE STRONGEST GROWTH IN RECENT MONTHS.

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2021
Consumer focus on hygiene & nutrition boosts packaged paneer sales
Progressive Grocer

Consumer focus on hygiene & nutrition boosts packaged paneer sales

THE DEMAND FOR CATEGORIES SUCH AS CHEESE AND PANEER HAS WITNESSED AN ALL-TIME NEW HIGH DURING THIS PANDEMIC THANKS TO THE VERSATILE NATURE OF THESE PRODUCTS. NOT ONLY IS PANEER DELICIOUS TO TASTE BUT DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE LOCKDOWN, THE INTERNET WAS TRENDING WITH UNIQUE, FUN AND EASY-TO-MAKE PANEER RECIPES.

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2021
How Hormel Became a Snack Company
Progressive Grocer

How Hormel Became a Snack Company

ACQUISITIONS, ADJACENCIES AND INNOVATION DEFINE THE GLOBAL BRANDED FOOD COMPANY’S GROWTH STRATEGY

time-read
10+ mins  |
July 2021
The New Normal for Snacks
Progressive Grocer

The New Normal for Snacks

THE POST-PANDEMIC CONSUMER WILL DEMAND BETTER-FOR-YOU MEAL SOLUTIONS MORE THAN EVER BEFORE.

time-read
6 mins  |
July 2021
The rise of superfoods and ways to mainstream them on retail shelves
Progressive Grocer

The rise of superfoods and ways to mainstream them on retail shelves

WHAT ARE SUPERFOODS AND THEIR BENEFITS AND WHY THESE PRODUCTS ARE WITNESSING A HUGE SURGE IN DEMAND? WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES OF INFUSING THESE SUPERFOODS INTO OUR TRADITIONAL FOOD PRODUCTS, AND HOW CAN THEIR VISIBILITY AND AWARENESS BE RAMPED UP IN ON-GROUND SHELVES OF SUPERMARKETS AND RETAIL COUNTERS?

time-read
8 mins  |
July 2021
What is driving consumers to become more conscious of what they eat?
Progressive Grocer

What is driving consumers to become more conscious of what they eat?

WITH CONSUMERS BECOMING MORE HEALTH-CONSCIOUS, RETAILERS HAVE ALSO STARTED MAKING SHIFTS IN THEIR OWN MERCHANDISING AND MARKETING TO KEEP UP WITH THE TREND.

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2021