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Tag: lulu

  • Lulu Group’s India ambitions get closer with a $463 million deal

    Lulu Group’s India ambitions get closer with a $463 million deal

    UAE-based retail major Lulu group on Monday announced an investment of Rs 3,500 crore in Tamil Nadu to set up shopping malls, hypermarkets and a food-logistic park.

    A memorandum of understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed on Monday by Pooja Kulkarni, Managing Director and CEO of Tamil Nadu Industrial Guidance & Export Promotion Bureau and Ashraf Ali MA, Executive Director of Lulu Group, the company said in a statement.

    The MoU was signed in the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin; Industry Minister Thangam Thenarasu; Yusuffali MA, Chairman of Lulu Group; other officials and dignitaries at the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce HO in Abu Dhabi.

    As per the MoU, the first shopping mall will come up in Chennai by 2024, while the first hypermarket is expected to open by this year-end itself at the Laxmi Mills compound in Coimbatore.

    Lulu Group will also set up food processing and logistics centers for procuring and processing agri-produce for exports to middle eastern countries.

    A high-level delegation from Lulu will soon visit the state to finalize locations and related formalities.

    “State of Tamil Nadu provides excellent infrastructure and support to the investors and we are very happy to explore bigger investment opportunities not only in Chennai but also in tier two cities such as Coimbatore, Salem, Madurai, Trichy.

    “Our aim is to provide more than 15,000 direct and indirect job opportunities to Tamil youth in the next 3 years,” Yusuff Ali said.

    Lulu Group currently operates more than 225 hypermarkets and shopping malls in the Middle East, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia and India.

    The group employs more than 57,000 people globally. Lulu Group has announced an investment of Rs 2,000 crore near Ahmedabad to set up a modern shopping mall. It has committed an investment of Rs 500 crore to set up a food processing plant in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

    In India, Lulu Group already has four operational shopping malls in Kochi, Thrissur, Trivandrum and Bengaluru. The mall at Bengaluru is not owned by the Lulu group but it is managing and operating the property.

    The group’s business portfolio ranges from hypermarket operations to shopping mall development, manufacturing and trading of goods, food processing plants, wholesale distribution, hospitality assets and real estate development.

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  • Lulu Group’s Tablez plans 150 More Stores

    Lulu Group’s Tablez plans 150 More Stores

    Abu Dhabi-headquartered Lulu Group’s retail arm Tablez is moving to invest US$75 million into the Indian market with the aim of opening more than 150 stores in the territory by the end of next year.

    The move, if successful, is expected by management to nearly quadruple its market share in India.

    “We plan to exit this year with nearly 100 stores, and we would be scaling up with fresh investments in 2020 to arrive at a portfolio of 150+ stores in India,” said Tablez MD Adeeb Ahamed.

    “We will be adding five more brands – Corir, Desigual, GoSport, YOYOSO and OshKosh, taking the total number of our retail brands across various categories to 13 brands in India by the end of 2019,” he said.

    Tablez has more than 40 stores within India operating in several industry sectors from F&B to fashion.

    “To fuel further growth, we would be deploying about $75 million in capital over the next two years to scale our retail stores, enhance our people building capacity and create backend infrastructure and marketing,” he said.

    Tabelz currently markets a range of international and homegrown brands in the territory.

  • LuLu Group opens first Build-A-Bear store in India

    LuLu Group opens first Build-A-Bear store in India

    LuLu Group International’s retail arm Tablez has launched the first Build-A-Bear store in India. The American personalised, experiential toy-retail brand is now available at Toys R Us in Phoenix Marketcity, Bangalore. Selling customised stuffed toys, the firm aims to reach 9 million sales in the top 15 cities in India within five years out of standalone stores and Toys R Us shop-in-shop formats.

    “The Build-A-Bear concept is a one-of-a-kind retail experience, and we are thrilled to open the first store in Bangalore,” said Tablez MD Adeeb Ahamed. “Build-A-Bear is synonymous with creativity and novelty for children. I am sure that each child that enters our store will cherish their experience and leave with an indelible memory.

    “From standalone stores to shop-in-shop formats, Build-A-Bear is ready to reach out to families and kids in India and help loved ones create memories and spend more time together. We plan to open 20 standalone stores of Build-A-Bear across key cities in India over the next 10 years, along with shop-in-shop formats across all our Toys R Us stores as well,” he said.

    The Build-A-Bear brand is best known for its “Choose Me” wall, from which each guest can choose an unstuffed animal to bring to life. It has close to 500 stores globally.

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  • Lulu Group opens Y Mall at Thrissur India

    Lulu Group opens Y Mall at Thrissur India

    Lulu Group Chairman and Managing Director, M.A. Yusuff Ali dedicated the newly-opened Rs 250 crore mall project – Y Mall to his home town on 29 December, 2018. M.A.Yusuff Ali’s grandchild, Ayan Ali cut the ceremonial ribbon, officially inaugurating the mall. Speaking at the inaugural event, M.A.Yusuff Ali said that the 2.5 lakh sq.ft Y Mall at Triprayar in the Thrissur district of Kerala and the 4.6 acres of land on which it has been constructed is his endowment towards worthy initiatives.

    He declared that Y Mall will be under the ownership of the ‘Y Foundation’ and the profits from the mall will be contributed towards various charitable activities under the foundation, including assistance for the places of worship in the town, who will collectively receive Rs 19 lakhs every year from the profits of Y Mall.

    This will be in addition to the various charity works under the Y Foundation, Y Mall will provide an incredible shopping, dining and entertainment experience for all the people in and around Triprayar. The Mall is within easy reach from Ernakulam, Calicut, Thrissur and almost all landmarks and prominent facilities.

    The mall features Lulu Xpress Freshmarket, which houses everything from food and grocery, ready to eat food, mobile and electronics to home décor. Home to over 40 international, national and local brands in the categories – watches; footwear; men, women and kids fashion, lingerie and innerwear, denims and casuals, accessories, eyewear, mobile and electronics,  books/gifts/toys; beauty and wellness; bags and more, the mall
    has everything to satisfy a shopper’s needs.

    Customers can visit Kerala’s first ToysRus store at Y Mall along with brands like 1946, Baby Care, Label M, My G, Jockey, Vismay, Wrangler, Sylcon, Lens and Frames, Arabian Souk, WCDI, Blackberrys Casuale, Ajmal Perfumes, La Femi, Blossom, American Tourister, Super 99 and Lulu Forex. Bank of Baroda and salon services are expected to commence within a month or two. Café Coffee Day is located on the ground floor of the mall and Chennai Ananda Bhavan on the second floor.

    The 225 seater food court is a food lover’s paradise with brands like Baskin Robbins, ChicKing, Burger Hub, Fujian Express, Dosa Tawa, Tea Stop, Pulp Factory and Chak De serving a variety of cuisines including Chinese; North and South Indian; Burgers and
    Fries, Arabic, Juices and ice creams.

    Half of the third floor is dedicated to the entertainment zone by Sparkys, which hasinnumerousvideo games; bump-a-car; carousel rides; a soft play area and many more fun-filled rides. The mall has basement parking provision and spacious open parking area for more than 800 vehicles.

    Equipped with prayer halls, feeding room, reserved parking spaces and washrooms for differently abled; special parking for pregnant women; bag, umbrella and helmet park zones;
    ambulance, ATM, money exchange and more, Y Mall is a destination for travellers and localities alike.

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  • Lulu opens new hypermarket concept in Abu Dhabi

    Lulu opens new hypermarket concept in Abu Dhabi

    LuLu Group launched a new hypermarket concept and revamped store design at The Mall in World Trade Center Abu Dhabi on Monday.

    LuLu’s 148th store was inaugurated by Aldar Properties chief executive officer Talal Al Dhiyebi along with LuLu Group chairman and managing director Yusuff Ali M.A., executive director Ashraf Ali M.A. and CEO Saifee Rupawala.

    Situated within Abu Dhabi’s central business district, the store has more than 100,000 square feet area.

    Yusuff Ali said the newly launched hypermarket significantly adds to the portfolio of LuLu Hypermarket chains. “LuLu has been the shopping partner of different nationalities and we will continue to preserve this identity with our new store. This new hypermarket introduces a newly improved design and space, which will further strengthen the world-class shopping experience.”

    Talal Al Dhiyebi welcomed the opening of LuLu Hypermarket. “Aldar has an enviable portfolio of retail assets including malls and retail community centres throughout Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. We constantly review our retail mix to ensure we provide residents and visitors alike with the right balance of brands. This hypermarket, along with the nine other new brands that have opened at The Mall so far this year, expands the existing mix of retailers and will drive further footfall while responding to local resident demand.”

    10 new hypermarkets, China expansion plans

    Yusuff Ali said the group saw tremendous growth opportunities in Abu Dhabi where 10 new hypermarkets are in the construction stage.

    “It will be operational within the next 18 to 24 months. This includes Al Falaha, Reem, Khalifa City, Sadiyat, Beda Zayed etc.”

    Two more hypermarkets will be opened in the coming weeks  – one in Umm Al Quwain and Saudi Arabia  – that will make total number of outlets to 150.

    LuLu also plans to enter the retail scenario in China where it has sourcing and logistics facility since 2000. A memorandum of understanding on co-operation on various areas of mutual interest was signed recently between Lin Yi, Party Secretary of Communist Party of China, Yiwu, in Zhejiang province and Yusuff Ali.  As per the MoU, LuLu will increase its yearly exports from China which stands currently at $220 million to $300 million. 

    Apart from this, LuLu will also look into the possibility of investment to set up Hypermarkets in Yiwu and other major cities at an investment of $200 million. 

  • LuLu Group may invest in Philippines

    LuLu Group may invest in Philippines

    Supermarket chain LuLu Group, based in Abu Dhabi, has been looking at investment opportunities in the Philippines.

    It is part of its plans to expand in Southeast Asia, says director general Charito Plaza of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), following a visit from LuLu Group executives. Initially it aims to establish a warehouse for food products it will export to the Middle East and other markets where it has a presence. It has 138 retail stores in 21 countries.

    “They will be building in Malaysia and Thailand, then also in the Philippines,” says Plaza.

    She says the group will be setting up warehouses and seeking to grow vegetables and other crops, as well as establish food-processing factories. The LuLu delegation visited an economic zone in Angeles, Pampanga, as a possible warehouse site.

    Aside from this, the group is also thinking about building malls and supermarkets in the Philippines.

    Plaza says Qatar is also looking at sourcing food products from the Philippines.

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  • LuLu Financial Group expands Philippines footprint with remittance service

    LuLu Financial Group expands Philippines footprint with remittance service

    Abu Dhabi-based LuLu Financial Group, one of the largest retail conglomerates in the UAE, is expanding its presence in the Philippine remittance and foreign exchange industry.

    The move aims at encashing the strong economic ties between Middle East and the Philippines and the increasing number of the deployment of overseas Filipino workers in the region.

    A significant chunk of the nearly $30 billion sent home each year by almost five million expatriate Filipinos can be channeled toward more productive sectors like helping finance the government’s infrastructure buildup program, reported Inquirer.

    “The economic bond between the Philippines and the nations of the GCC are strong and getting stronger, given the large number of Filipinos working there and sending money back home,” LuLu Financial managing director and CEO Adeeb Ahamed had reportedly said earlier.

    He was referring to the GCC region, which played host to an estimated 2.2 million Filipino contract workers. About one-fourth of the yearly dollar remittance tally that helps boost the Philippine economy comes from this region, the report said.

    Ahamed was quoted as saying that this huge potential encouraged LuLu Financial to open its third foreign exchange and remittance office in the Philippines to better serve Filipino clients in its home region.

    LuLu Financial is a non-banking financial organization. It deals in foreign exchange, global money transfer and salary and wage administration. It has 132 branches worldwide, staffed by over 1,500 employees.

    Ahamed reportedly said the group had the physical network to be able to serve GCC-based Filipinos’ remittance needs close to their workplaces.

    He said the remittance business in the Middle East might already be crowded, but LuLu Financial’s ties with its parent gave it the advantage of being closer to its clients.

    Ahamed said it would be a good idea for the Philippines to try to harness the financial muscle of remittances from overseas Filipinos, similar to what the India had done.

    He reportedly cited the case of a major international airport in India which was built with funds raised from overseas Indian workers through retail placements of equity shares.

    “This was built using the public-private partnership model,” he said.

    “Funds were raised, airport was completed and the retail shareholders saw the value of their stocks rise sharply. This is something the Philippines can also do.”

    For starters, Ahamed was quoted as saying by Inquirer, it would be a good idea for the government to forge ahead with its plan to create a bank dedicated to serve the OFW community.

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  • Lulu opens new hypermarket in Malaysia

    Lulu opens new hypermarket in Malaysia


    UAE-based retail major Lulu Group has opened its first hypermarket in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as part of its plans to further consolidate its retail presence in the Far Eastern region.

    The 250,000 sq ft hypermarket was inaugurated by the Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Sri Najib Tun Razak in the presence of Dato Sri Dr Ahmed Zahid Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Agriculture and other government  officials.

    Lulu had recently announced its plans to set up 10 hypermarkets in Malaysia over the next five years at an investment of $300 million.

    The new hypermarket is ideally located in the CapSqaure, Jalan Munshi area of Kuala Lumpur is expected to be one of its kind in the country and will attract large segment of population from all walks of life with its attractive product offers and range.

    It is spread in three levels and combines everything from grocery and supermarkets products to fashion, household and latest electronics and gadgets, said a statement from the retailer.

    Hot food from around the world, fresh seafood and locally grown produce are some of the key highlights in the supermarket area, it stated.

    Speaking at the launch, Najeeb Razak said: “We are very pleased to welcome Lulu brand to Malaysia as this will pave way for more international brands to come and invest in the country. I am also hopeful that Lulu will surely open many more hypermarkets and malls not only in Kuala Lumpur but also in other parts of Malaysia.”

    Yusuff Ali MA, the chairman, said: “With an initial investment of $300 million in the first phase, we plan to open 10 hypermarkets by the end of 2021 and a central logistics and warehousing facility in Malaysia. These projects are likely to generate more than 5,000 job opportunities for Malaysians.”

    “We also plan to set up contract farming to ensure continuous supply of high quality products and to support the Malaysian agriculture sector,” he added.

    Apart from the hypermarkets, Yusuffali also announced the group’s plan to invest another $500 million in setting up the largest shopping mall in Malaysia.

    “Today the whole world knows about Malaysia’s economic stability, investor friendly approach, liberalized policies and world-class infrastructure and we are confident about our success here and our hypermarkets encompass both supermarket and department store formats and we intend to bring a whole new world of shopping to the residents of Malaysia.”

    He added that other hypermarkets would be opening in Kota Baru (Kelantan), Shah Alam (Selangor), Johar Baru, Bangi, Ipoh (Perak), Malacca, Penang and Kuala Terengganu.

    One of the largest retail chain in the Middle East, Lulu currently operates 126 stores across the GCC, Egypt, India, Indonesia and employs more than 38,000 people from different nationalities.

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  • Indonesia shines for retail investment

    Indonesia shines for retail investment

    Southeast Asia’s largest economy, Indonesia, is ranked the world’s fifth most-attractive market for retail investment in AT Kearney’s 2016 Global Retail Development Index.

    In previous years it has ranked in the top 20.

    It is an exciting time to be investing in Indonesia’s retail sector, the index says. The country scores 64.3 in market size (out of a 0-100 scale) and low in country risk (38.9) – lower than the top three markets, China, India and Malaysia. Urgency to enter the market is rated at 68.9, and the overall score of 55.6 is just one point behind Kazakhstan.

    “Despite its relatively low retail sales per capita and currency volatility, Indonesia’s huge population and cities make it quite attractive to foreign retailers, which see untapped potential in the country and are investing heavily in new development,” says the report, which covers 30 developing countries that represent more than half of total global retail sales.

    This is reflected by burgeoning foreign retail investments in the country, reports the Jakarta Post. It cites Dubai-based Lulu, which opened its first hypermarket in Indonesia this month with an investment plan of US$500 million covering nine hypermarkets and a warehouse. Meanwhile, Singapore’s Courts, South Korea’s Lotte, and Ikea and H&M from Sweden all have a presence and expansion plans in Indonesia. Courts plans to open four stores by next March to add to its existing five, and has seen its sales growth double since opening in 2014.

    Indonesian convenience stores Alfamart and Indomaret have also been expanding. Indomaret plans to add 1600 outlets this year to its 12,210 stores, while Alfamart is aiming for six-fold sales growth this year driven by its upgraded online presence.

    The government has opened up eCommerce to foreign ownership where the business value is more than Rp100 billion (US$7.49 million). According to the Indonesian eCommerce Association (Idea), eCommerce transactions are expected to reach $24.6 billion this year, three times more than in 2013.

    Indonesian retailers Matahari and Mitra Adi Perkasa have launched online shopping, while grocers Alfamart and Happy Fresh are extending their online offering.

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  • Lulu opens its first hypermarket in Indonesia

    Lulu opens its first hypermarket in Indonesia

    The UAE-based retail major Lulu Group marked its retail push into Indonesia with the opening of its first hypermarket in the country in capital Jakarta.

    The group has already announced plans to invest $500 million and set up 10 hypermarkets in the next three years in the country, as part of its expansion.

    The first Lulu hypermarket of the country was officially inaugurated by Joko Widodo, the President of Indonesia in the presence of Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, Governor of Jakarta; Thomas Trikasih Lembong, Indonesian Trade Minister; Ahmed Abdullah Al Mussali Al Awadi, UAE Ambassador to Indonesia; Husin Bagis, Indonesian Ambassador to UAE; and other ministers and dignitaries.

    Located in the Cakung sub district of East Jakarta with an area of over 200,000 sq ft., the new hypermarket is designed with customer convenience in mind and provides a one-stop shopping destination for the residents of the city.

    “With an initial investment of $300 million in the first phase, we plan to open 10 hypermarkets by end-2017 and a central logistics and warehousing facility in Jakarta. These projects are likely to generate more than 5,000 job opportunities for Indonesians,” said Yusuf Ali M A, chairman, Lulu Group.

    “We also plan to set up contract farming to ensure continuous supply of high quality products and to support the Indonesian agriculture sector,” he added.

    During the official visit to UAE last year, President Widodo had visited Lulu hypermarket in Abu Dhabi and expressed keen desire to have Lulu in Indonesia. He was especially impressed by the high standards of operations, quality of products and service and also the wide variety of products available in Lulu.

    The Lulu Group currently operates 126 stores across the GCC, Egypt and India and employs more than 38,000 people from different nationalities. It is also one of the largest retail chains in the Middle East.

  • Lulu to open first hypermarket in Indonesia this year

    Lulu to open first hypermarket in Indonesia this year

    The UAE-based Lulu Group will mark its first retail push in Indonesia by opening its first hypermarket in the capital city of Jakarta by this year end.

    The announcement came during the visit of President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (popularly known as Jokowi), to Abu Dhabi. He visited the Lulu Hypermarket at Khalidiyah Mall in Abu Dhabi, along with a high-level delegation.

    The Indonesian President is on a five-day state visits to three Middle East countries — Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

    “With an initial investment of $300 million in the first phase, we plan to open 15 hypermarkets by the end of 2017 and a central logistics and warehousing facility in Jakarta. These projects are likely to generate more than 5,000 job opportunities for Indonesians,” said Yusuffali MA, managing director of Lulu Group.

    The group expects to invest a total of $500 million in Indonesia over the next five years.

    “The fact that we are going to Indonesia with our Halal Hypermarket concept, is giving us the encouragement to look for a wider market segment there,” added Yusuffali.

    Apart from Jakarta, Lulu intends to open hypermarkets in Bandung, Solo, Semarang, Surabaya and Yogyakarta.

    “We also plan to set up contract farming to ensure continuous supply of high quality products and to support the Indonesian agriculture sector,” said Yusuffali.

    The Indonesian President was welcomed at the hypermarket by Yusuffali; Saifee Rupawala, CEO; Salim M A, director; Rajmohan Nair, director – Lulu Far East operations, and a large number of Indonesian expatriates.

    President Jokowi and the accompanying delegation were taken on a guided tour of the hypermarket by Yusuffali and team who briefed him about specialties of the retail store.

    The president later urged Yusuff Ali to export more products from villages and towns in Indonesia.

    The Lulu chain currently operates 117 stores across the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt and India. -TradeArabia News Service

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