The UAE-based EMKE Group operates in manufacture, import and export, wholesale and retailer of consumer products. One of the largest retailers in the GCC, in terms of 2007 sales, the group specializes in foodstuffs, software, food processing plants, garment manufacturing, jewelry trading and ownership of department stores and supermarkets.

The group’s brand portfolio includes its flagship, the Lulu chain of supermarkets, Emirates General Market and Al Falah Plaza. The group also has department stores, hypermarkets and shopping malls totaling 73 outlets, worldwide, and catering to 300,000 customers daily. The group holds over 32% of the total retail market share within the GCC, as of 2007.

EMKE Group is owned by the Mouslem K Abdullah family of India, with operations in the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen as well as in India, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, China, Kenya, Tanzania and Benin.

In the UAE, the flagship brand, Lulu hypermarketLulu hypermarket and supermarket chain offers foodstuff, consumer electronic, clothes and other consumer products. The group launched Al Wahda Mall, Khalidiyah Mall and Al Raha Mall in 2007, all located in Abu Dhabi. EMKE Stores and EMKE General Trading, distribute dry foods, edible oils, toiletries and other fast moving consumer items and household appliances.

The group entered into Oman in 1999 with the LuLu Shopping Centre and as of 2008, its Oman operations, which include malls, are considered to be the largest, after those of the UAE.

EMKE Commodities manufactures agricultural products for the African markets. Fair Exports and Amroon Foods in India, as well as Al Tayeb cold stores in the UAE, are meat processing and packing companies owned by the group.

Through its Gulf Star Establishment (UAE), T.E.K. Prima Ekspor (Indonesia) and EMKE Garments (Kenya) subsidiaries, EMKE Group provides fashion garments, foodstuff trading, furniture, glassware, footwear, luggage, paper products and other general merchandise.

According to a 2007 report released by UK-based retail analysts, Planet Retail, EMKE Group was ranked 12th in the Africa and Middle East Top 30 Grocery Retailer list, in terms of retail banner sale and market shares.

EMKE, whose sales reached AED4.2 billion (USD1.14 billion) in 2007, plans to launch another 20 department stores and supermarkets in the UAE, by the end of 2009, allowing it to serve more than 500,000 shoppers daily. It also plans to open seven additional malls in the GCC and India and to invest OMR70 million (USD181 million) to expand the LuLu supermarket chain in Oman.