Riyadh: Abu Dhabi-based Emke Group, which operates Lulu Hypermarkets, yesterday opened its 89th hypermarket in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The 89th Lulu Hypermarket was opened by Prince Saud Bin Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz in the presence of Talmiz Ahmad, India's Ambassador to the kingdom; M.D. Mallya, chairman of Bank of Baroda; Ashok Gupta, chief executive for GCC, Bank of Baroda, and Yousuf Ali M.A., managing director of Lulu.
Prominent businessmen, government and municipality officials and other dignitaries were also present.
The new store is located in Riyadh Avenue mall which is also owned and managed by the Emke Group.
Located in the Murabba area of Riyadh, the Riyadh Avenue also houses many other international brands, restaurants, food courts, jewellery shops and coffee shops.
Although the Emke Group already has two other outlets in the kingdom, this is the first store to be located in a shopping mall in Saudi Arabia.
Lulu Hypermarket will be the main anchor store and is expected to become a major player in Saudi Arabia's retail sector.
Emke Group is working on new projects in other parts of the kingdom.
Commitment
Yousuf Ali M.A. said: "We are very clear in our approach to expansion. Three years back we had finalised our target of reaching 100 stores and we are firmly on track to achieve that. I am very confident about the economic situation of Saudi Arabia and have full trust in the visions of King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and we are fully committed to continue our forwards march."
The hypermarket will showcase 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 department store items such as electronics, IT products, home appliances, sports, stationery, furnishings and furniture and fashion brands for ladies, gents and kids, and 40 cash counters to ensure hassle- free shopping experience for shoppers.
The outlet is expected to become the shopping destination of choice for residents of Riyadh.
In addition, and in true tradition of Lulu stores across the Gulf, the hypermarket will feature the widest choice of world class brands at the fairest prices and also offers a whole world of shopping with a good selection of brands and product lines under one roof. Lulu's winning formula of value for money quality shopping will be a matter of delight for the residents of Riyadh who will cherish the pleasurable shopping experience and the economy it offers.
Training
Lulu Hypermarkets which employ close to 26,000 people in its various operations, has a very clear human resource development policy especially when it comes to providing training and job opportunities to the Saudi youth.
Lulu employs 759 Saudis who are also regularly sent to other countries for better training and growth prospects.
"Providing job opportunities to local youth is one of our core focus areas and we will continue to recruit more nationals into our operations in different categories from frontline sales staff to technical and managerial positions. With oil price showing positive growth and recession is thing of past, we see tremendous development taking place in Gulf economies and we intend to play our part in the growth process," added Yousuf Ali.
