UAE-based LuLu Group has opened its latest hypermarket in Jeddah’s Al Rawabi Area, marking the retailer’s 27th local and 223rd global branch.
“We are glad to see another beautiful store opening that will cater to our loyal patrons living in Al Rawabi and its adjoining areas,” said LuLu Group chairman Yusuff Ali MA.
Spanning 168,000 square feet, the hypermarket stocks locally grown, sourced and produced food products, including fish from the Red Sea, meat, fruit and vegetables, and Saudi Arabian coffee beans.
The retailer’s efforts to prioritise locally sourced products aligns with the Saudi Arabian government’s objective to adopt a new approach to preservation of the kingdom’s heritage and encourage local agri-business.
The hypermarket’s hot foods section stocks dishes created by Saudi Arabian female chefs.
The LuLu Group’s stores in Saudi Arabia employ more than 3,200 Saudi Arabian nationals, 1,000 of whom are women, in efforts to support development and progress of local employment.
By the end of the year, the group estimates 4,000 Saudi nationals will be employed, increasing to 5,000 by 2023.
“The opening of this new store in Jeddah is part of our strategy to align our future growth with the opportunities that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has made available to investors,” Mr Ali MA said.
“The leadership of Saudi Arabia is signalling its intention to empower its youth and invest in new areas such as agri-business and local food – not only is this vital for food security but it also gives nationals a sense of identity and pride in their country.
“The LuLu Group will do everything possible to support this and use its retail footprint to excellent effect for this purpose,” Mr Ali MA said.
The branch features ‘green’ checkout lanes for customers who bring reusable shopping bags.
Aligning with the LuLu Group’s objective to reduce paper consumption and strive for sustainable shopping experiences, customers will receive shopping receipts via SMS.
In honour of the opening, the grocery retailer is hosting a raffle draw as part of the Win A Dream Home campaign, running across all LuLu Hypermarket branches in Jeddah, which will see one lucky shopper win an apartment.
Thirty customers can also win gift vouchers, with others able to win SAR500,000 worth of gift vouchers.
