Euro-Excellence

Euro-Excellence is the leading Canadian importer and distributor of fine chocolates, confectionery, and fine foods.

Founded in 1985 by André Clémence, the Company pioneered the development of the fine chocolate industry in Canada. Since 2008, Euro-Excellence has operated temperature-controlled facilities in Candiac, Quebec, designed to ensure product quality. The Company also operates a state-of-the-art, growth-friendly distribution platform.

Its acquisition by LS Distribution North America (a division of the Lagardère Services group) in July 2011

has given Euro-Excellence privileged access to the vast LMPI Press network, including cultural channels, the Travel Retail network in airports, and other specialized retail chains. The brands distributed by Euro-Excellence target the same clientele as international magazines distributed by LMPI. This convergence is a benefit both for our manufacturing partners and retail clients, who have enjoyed increased sales.

Euro-Excellence works with more than 60 European suppliers of gourmet products and represents a portfolio of prestigious brands in Canada, including Valrhona, Côte d'Or, Maxim's de Paris, Villars, Haribo, Camille Bloch, Banania, Sarotti, Valor, Hénaff, Petit Navire, William Saurin… Around 2,500 regular items and 1,000 seasonal offerings in the catalogue are divided into six categories: cookies, candies, chocolates, confectionery, jams and gourmet items.

For over 25 years, through service excellence and a strong distribution network, Euro-Excellence has fostered loyalty among its manufacturing partners.

With sales offices in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, Euro-Excellence relies on a Canada-wide salesforce of 30 manufacturing agents who visit a network of more than 4,000 sales outlets (supermarkets, pharmacies, fine food stores, convenience stores) on a monthly basis.

In addition, the company provides retailers with unequalled service quality through its flexible pickup and delivery capability. Euro-Excellence sells by the unit, crate, and pallet and uses direct store delivery (DSD) to minimize client storage requirements. All orders are shipped within 24 hours. Its SAP business management software is very flexible and easily interfaces with various retailer EDI systems.

Euro-Excellence's Quality Assurance Department simplifies product importing and compliance.

Euro-Excellence is one of the few importer-distributors equipped with an internal Quality Assurance Department to audit compliance of imported products with Canadian standards (ingredient lists, nutritional data tables, allergy warnings and suggested uses …). The company works jointly with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to ensure 100% compliance of the products it imports and distributes.

A very strong presence in the network of independent groceries and supermarket chains across Canada.

A major success for Euro-Excellence in recent years has been the development of the "Chocolat du Monde" showcase exclusively dedicated to the brands that the Company represents, resulting in a wider distribution of several European brands in supermarkets in Quebec and Ontario.

The Company offers in-store merchandising, category management & shelf display optimization, and promotion services. It also attends many tradeshows as part of ongoing efforts to promote and grow partner sales.

Key contact

Nicolas Libbrecht
Vice-President, Marketing & Sales
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