Jeddah: Lulu Group opened its very first all-female staff store recently as part of its 200th store-launch initiatives.
Lulu Express in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is fully managed by a team of 103 well-trained women led by general manager Maha Mohammed Alqarni, the retail giant said.
The new express store, which is also the 20th in Saudi Arabia, is located near King Abdul Aziz University and occupies a retail space of 37,000 square feet, it said, adding that the outlet is home to a wide variety of globally-sourced products such as grocery essentials, fresh food, health and beauty, household and much more.
“We have always tried to give training and employment to the youth and especially the skilled women of this region," group chairman Yusuffali MA said.
"It’s our commitment to the visionary policies of the leadership to empower the women workforce.
“Apart from introducing innovative shopping options and product ranges, we are also proud that this new initiative to empower women will go a long way in opening new opportunities and career options for the youth in general and women in particular,” he added.
Ms Alqarni said she is thrilled to be part of the group’s first-ever store that is fully managed by women.
"This is such a great honour for me to represent the growing community of Saudi women who are playing an active role in the progress of the country’s economic activities and aiming to share their skills.”
In the midst of the pandemic, LuLu has played a very crucial role and ensured an uninterrupted supply of food and non-food products, while maintaining the highest standards of hygiene, health and safety of both its customers and employees.
Enhanced sanitisation programs and social distancing norms are being adhered to as per industry protocols.
“At present, we employ 3,000 Saudi nationals including 800 women in all the hypermarkets across the Kingdom in various positions and our aim is to encourage more women in our organisation, thereby ensuring Saudi women’s economic participation,” Lulu Group Saudi Arabia director Shehim Mohammed said.
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