The LuLu Group opened its 18th hypermarket in Qatar in the Ain Khaled district on April 20, continuing its aggressive regional expansion plans.
The newest store covers two levels and spans 150,000 square feet.
The LuLu Group has placed sustainability at the forefront of the new store’s opening, aiming to reduce carbon footprint by 50 per cent compared to its previous stores.
“Going forward, we aim to make our stores carbon neutral,” said Dr Mohamed Althaf, director of LuLu Group International.
“We open new LuLu outlets with a motto of bigger, better and cleaner,” he said.
In keeping with the group’s objective to encourage shoppers to reuse, reduce and recycle, the store has a zero-waste refill station where shoppers can purchase refillable containers or use paper bags or personal containers to collect essential food items such as tea, cereals, pasta and grains.
The branch also has a Plant Y division stocking plant-based food items and meat substitutes, a ‘free from’ range of organic ingredients and superfoods, a section for eco-friendly products and an extensive ‘Internet of Things’ area for products to power smart homes.
The store offers in-store cookery classes and has a dedicated section for Qatari products in support of the local economy.
Catering to the region’s STEM education principles, the LuLu store stocks STEM-tainment toys to stimulate youngsters’ brains.
“In line with the growing trend of rising demand for digitalisation, transformation and innovation to ensure sustainability, we have introduced a lot of new features in our new stores and we are also upgrading existing stores,” said Yusuff Ali, chairman of the LuLu Group.
The store houses its traditional grocery section, the LuLu Connect electronics section, the LuLu Celebrate clothing line, REO fashion brand, BLSH, and branded perfumery, cosmetics, makeup, beauty line and eyewear brand Eyexpress.
In anticipation of Qatar hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022, the LuLu Group plans to open seven more branches in Barwa al Khor, Giardino Mall at The Pearl, Barwa Madinat; Salwa Road and Abu Hamour.
“Qatar is gearing up for the mega sporting event and also for the Asian Games 2030. We are confident of the upward development trajectory of the nation. We promise to match our capacity and vision with that of Qatar’s blueprint for a bright future,” said Mr Ali.
