Yousuf Ali M.A., managing director of Emke Group, with government officials during the inaugural tour of the LuLu Hypermarket in Al Foah Mall, Al Ain. Image Credit: Supplied
Dubai: Emke Group, which runs one of the region's largest supermarket chains LuLu, has opened their third hypermarket in Al Ain, taking its store count to 85 amid an aggressive expansion drive, the company said.
It is the group's ninth hypermarket opened this year.
The new LuLu Hypermarket is located in the new Al Foah Mall on the Al Ain-Dubai road and has ample car parking space. Though LuLu Hypermarket has opened its doors for business, a formal inauguration of the Al Foah Mall, which is also managed by the group, will take place at a later stage.
Spread over 140,000 square feet, the hypermarket showcases a fresh food section comprising fruit, vegetables, dairy products, meat, fish and hot and cold ready-to-eat food. It also has a huge area dedicated to items such as electronics, IT products, home appliances, sports, stationery, furnishings and furniture and fashion brands for ladies, gents and kids. About 40 cash counters ensure hassle-free shopping experience.
Convenience
Commenting on the opening of new hypermarket, Yousuf Ali M.A., managing director of Emke Group, said: "It's our policy now to be as close to the shoppers as possible, thereby reducing the driving time and making it convenient for them to reach us easily.
"In addition, and in the tradition of LuLu stores across the Gulf, the hyp-ermarket will feature a wide choice of world class brands and a good selection.
"LuLu's winning formula of value for money quality shopping will be a matter of delight for the residents of Al Ain who will cherish the pleasurable shopping experience and the economy it offers." On the group's expansion plans, he said: "We will be opening 17 more hypermarkets in new as well as existing markets of the UAE and other GCC countries. All our planned projects are on track and our immediate plans include hypermarkets in Bahrain, Salalah, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Mushrif Mall in Abu Dhabi."
Biggest mall
The group plans to open its 100th store by the end of next year.
In India it is building one of the country's biggest malls in the southern city of Kochi, expected to be operational by the end of next year.
LuLu hypermarkets account for nearly a third of the Gulf's retail market share, accounting for nearly 420,000 footfalls per day.
