Bahrain: UAE-based LuLu Hypermarket plans to raise its investment in Bahrain from BD110 million at present to BD145m in the next 18 months as it opens three new hypermarkets across the country, the 

company’s top official has said.

On the sidelines of the opening of the Middle East retail major’s fifth hypermarket in Bahrain at the newly-opened Juffair Mall, LuLu Group chairman Yusuffali MA told GDN yesterday that the kingdom’s retail sector continues to offer good growth prospects which had expedited the expansion plans.

“We had committed to an investment of BD100m for Bahrain six years ago which we have crossed already and our sixth hypermarket will open soon at Galleria Mall, Ahli Club in Zinj,” he added.

“Two more stores are in the pipeline and will be opened over the next year-and-a-half. Currently, there are more than 1,100 Bahrainis working with us not only here but in other GCC countries as well. Our goal is to provide employment to 500 more Bahrainis as we expand here and
regionally.”

Mr Yusuffali said the chain owed its success to Bahrain’s pro-business leadership and people.

“Bahrainis have excellent people skills and have been the backbone of our business growth. We are proud of their participation in our multicultural employee force,” he added.

The store opened yesterday is the group’s 120th globally and was inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa. The opening was attended by Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister Zayed Al Zayani, Labour Minister Jameel Humaidan, Crown Prince Court president Shaikh Khalifa bin Duaij Al Khalifa and Shaikh Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa also from the Crown Prince’s Court.

Also present were Indian Ambassador Alok Kumar Sinha, UK Ambassador Simon Martin, US Ambassador William Roebuck as well as senior government officials and business leaders.

Mr Yusuffali said the new 120,000sq ft hypermarket would serve the residents of Juffair, Hoora, Gudaibiya, Adliya and Umm Al Hassam areas with a wide range of products from all over the world.

“We would like to be a one-stop-shop for the multi-ethnic community of the area with an
international mix of products.”

Quality

The store has separate sections for fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and poultry, dairy products, ready-to-eat products and a state-of-the-art live bakery and Hot Foods kitchen.

The product mix in LuLu Juffair will also include a wide selection of premium UK and US goods, including special products air-flown for freshness.

“LuLu Hypermarket has built its brand on the promise of quality and we are very happy that the people of Bahrain have responded so warmly to our range of high quality and cost-effective products,” he added.

LuLu Hypermarket opened its first store in Bahrain in 2007 and the brand’s fourth hypermarket in Hidd was opened in November 2011.

Globally, the hypermarket operation employs more than 35,000 people from 41 countries and plans to start operations in Malaysia and Indonesia next month.

avinash@gdn.com.bh