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What isTheLoaf andwhendidyou start thebusiness?
The Loaf is a lifestyle bakery and bistro, which opened its
first outlet in the picturesque setting of Telaga Harbour in
Langkawi Island in 2006. It quickly became popular with
both the local islanders and the many international tourists
who visited the island.
Former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr. Mahathir
Mohamad and co-owner of The Loaf fell in love with
Japanese breads and pastries on his working visits to Japan
and he suggestedwe open an outlet that could beworld class
and offer something memorable for tourists to Langkawi.
Our beginning in Langkawi was small, but it served the
purpose of testing the market. At that stage, the quality of
Malaysian breadwasn’t high so therewas an opportunity for
the establishment of a bakery selling premium items. While
our first outlet was successful, we needed a store in Kuala
Lumpur where the majority of the consumers were located.
Once the skills were mastered in Langkawi, we moved
to the prestigious entrance of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. Here
we found universal appeal for our breads and pastries with
the locals enjoying them as much as tourists.
WhatmakesTheLoaf concept sounique?
The Loaf is unique because it is a Japanese bakery café based
upon the three important foundations of craftsmanship,
46 | FireFlyz
Business
The Lowdown on The Loaf
The Loaf’s positioning as Malaysia’s
leading premium Japanese bakery
has been as rapid as it has been
successful.
David Bowden
spoke
to Jiro Suzuki, Managing Director of
The Loaf to get the lowdown onThe
Loaf’s Malaysian success story, the
philosophy behind the concept and
their future plans for expanding in
Malaysia and regionally.