LULU Group unveiled its 10th retail outlet in the kingdom, and one of its most innovative and inspiring to date, with a VIP ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday.
LuLu Xpress Fresh Market, LuLu Group’s anchor store on the new waterfront retail space at the Danaat Al Lawzi project, Hamad Town, was inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, alongside Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister Zayed Alzayani.
They were both welcomed by LuLu Group chairman and managing director Yusuff Ali M A, who flew into the kingdom from the UAE, to join in the celebrations.
“Our participation in the Danaat Al Lawzi development is a demonstration of LuLu Group’s commitment to the Kingdom of Bahrain’s progress and the vision of its wise leaders,” said Mr Yusuff Ali.
The officials during the ribbon cutting
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Danaat Al Lawzi, a project spearheaded by Eskan Bank, features more than 300 villas designed to cater for the modern Bahraini family.
“It takes forward our promise that we believe in the future of this progressive country and its prosperity and shall invest in its citizens,” added Mr Yusuff Ali.
“The developing urbanisation and the high standards of living that Bahrain residents have come to expect are an incentive for the LuLu Group to keep raising the bar when it comes to retail standards. We shall continue to partner with the kingdom in its development.”
The opening ceremony of the 2,000sqm store, which is managed and operated by a team of 19 women, as highlighted in yesterday’s GDN, was attended by an array of ministers, VIPs and dignitaries including Housing Minister Bassem Al Hamer and Indian ambassador Piyush Srivastava.
Also present was assistant under-secretary for labour affairs at the Labour and Social Development Ministry Ahmed Al Hayki, Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF) secretary-general Dr Mustafa Al Sayed as well as LuLu Group executives, including director Juzer Rupawala and members of the Bahrain team.
The store features a range of groceries, fresh daily produce such as vegetables and meat, as well as an in-house bakery and the popular LuLu Hot Foods range of freshly-prepared delights.
It will also have an attached waterfront café area for customers to relax and unwind while enjoying the lake view.
For customers in a hurry, the checkouts have been designed to make them easier to use. They can pay quickly through the Self Check Out where they scan their own items and pay via card, or they can receive an eBill sent to their mobile by a cashier. A bill can be sent to a customer’s phone number after all items have been rung up and the customer can then pay via BenefitPay. The store also offers a WhatsApp delivery service.
After the ribbon-cutting, invited guests were treated to a tour of the store. Export Bahrain’s acting chief executive officer Safa Abdulkhaliq described it as ‘amazing’ and a bonus for local producers too.
“We’re very proud of our partnership with the company,” she said. “I think this is an excellent addition and provides another ideal space for supporting small and medium enterprises in Bahrain and the popular products they make.
“Since the start of our relationship with LuLu, together we have supported more than 20 local businesses.”
LuLu Group may have reached double figures when it comes to hypermarkets in the kingdom, and two shopping malls, with more than 3,000 employees, however, it has no plans to rest on its laurels.
Mr Yusuff Ali revealed during the launch that there were plans for four more stores this year, two Xpress-style and two hypermarkets, at locations yet to be announced. He also added that the projects, including the latest launch, totalled almost BD40 million.
He also officially launched the ‘LuLu Cares’ campaign to support the Royal Humanitarian Foundation which will run under the patronage of RHF chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, to mark the holy month of Ramadan.
“Through this special community social responsibility project, every shopper at LuLu Hypermarkets in Bahrain can donate any amount, big or small, towards the ‘LuLu Cares’ charity drive and this collection shall be used by the RHF for the welfare of orphans in their care,” said Mr Yusuff Ali.
“With the Holy Month being one of the busiest shopping seasons in the region, LuLu Group is hoping to help Bahrain’s public contribute to a noble cause.”
The company also thanked Eskan Bank, in particular, the managing director and chief executive officer of Infinity Capital, Abdullah Al Zain, with whom it had worked closely to successfully explore this new avenue for expansion.
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