MANAMA: LuLu Hypermarket has launched a shopping portal and app in Bahrain, making the kingdom its second regional market to offer online shopping and scheduled delivery of groceries after the UAE.
Inaugurated last Thursday at the Ramli Mall, the service enables shoppers to choose their goods, order online and pay through e-payment gateways.
As many as 20,000 products covering the gamut from home appliances, mobile phones and electronics to home and kitchen products, fresh food and groceries are available for purchase on www.luluhypermarket.com and the app, said LuLu Group executive director Ashraf Ali, who is spearheading the e-commerce presence of the retail giant.
“The LuLu online shopping experience carries the same brand promise of quality, affordability and customer service excellence as our iconic stores around the world – with the added value of convenience,” he added.
“You will still be able to take advantage of all our excellent deals, promotions and discounts, making this a seamless shopping experience.”
According to him, the hypermarket brand has not compromised on the human interface with customers.
“The LuLu online portal and app is serviced by a highly-skilled team of personal shoppers who have been trained to pick the right products and brands to match online orders and we have a fleet of vehicles that promise delivery in the most hygienic conditions. In fact, the Bahrain fleet is one of over 500 online delivery fleets present throughout the region,” said Mr Ali.
In the first phase, six specially designed delivery trucks with multiple temperature zones for frozen, fresh, ambient, or heated products have been put into service.
Each truck has a dedicated delivery area and the LuLu hypermarkets in Hidd and Ramli Mall in A’ali have each been assigned three trucks to deliver to areas in their vicinity.
Mr Ali told the GDN that the company plans to have 25 trucks in its fleet by next year and is gearing up to launch motorbike-based fast delivery by the end of the year.
He also said more than 120 people have been hired for the online shopping service, with 98 per cent of them being Bahraini.
While e-payment gateways that support credit and debit cards are the only way to pay for online purchases now, LuLu will soon offer more payment options including mobile wallets and cash on delivery.
In response to a question about feedback, Mr Ali said customers in UAE had welcomed the service and the company was making around 15,000 deliveries a month there.
He expects to see similar numbers in Bahrain.
The service was inaugurated by Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry assistant under-secretary for commercial registration and companies Ali Makki and assistant under-secretary for control and services Abdulaziz Al Ashraaf, who also flagged off the delivery trucks.
The government officials said the ministry has laid the ground for expansion in e-commerce transactions with robust legislation and ease of doing business, and they looked forward to the rapid growth of the sector.
avinash@gdn.com.bh
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