26 February 2011
Lulu Hypermarkets, the leading hypermarket chain in the GCC and a division of the EMKE business conglomerate, is to open their 87th and biggest hypermarket in Salalah today. Shaikh Mohammed bin Marhoon al Ma'amari, the Minister of State and Governor of Dhofar, will officially open the landmark retail destination to the thriving Salalah residents. Situated near the Salalah Airport, the Lulu Salalah is built over three levels with a built-up area of about 350,000 square feet.

A super structure, with modern facilities like an extended food court and children's amusement arcade, several international brands and a mammoth anchor store comprising the department store and supermarket spread over 250,000 square feet, is expected to become the shopping destination of choice for the residents of Salalah. The hypermarket will showcase the fresh food section comprising fruit, vegetables, dairy products, meat, fish and hot and cold ready-to-eat food and, it also has a huge area dedicated to department store items such as electronics, IT products and furniture and fashion brands for ladies, gents and kids. 40 cash counters will ensure hassle free shopping experience for shoppers.

The outlet is expected to become the shopping destination of choice for the residents of Salalah. More importantly, the whole mall has been designed with a keen eye for convenience with its easy navigation design and a dedicated 1500-vehicle car park. Salalah Hypermarket will boast of an extensive food court which will nestle some world-class fast-food outlets and fine-dining restaurants. Besides, the hypermarket will also have convenience such as an exchange house, opticians and mobile counters.

Families with children will be delighted with the roomy amusement arcade with its many rides, its soft play area and video games. The hypermarket will offer world class shopping and entertainment opportunities that will fulfill the aspirations of Salalah's expanding retail sector. Commenting on the opening, Yusuffali MA, Managing Director, Lulu Group, expressed his satisfaction on the timely completion of the project in Salalah and thanked the support and patronage of the Government of the Sultanate of Oman for making it a reality.

"It will be our endeavour to reach out to the large sections of the population in Oman through our stores in most of the Wilayats. By doing so, we would want to give our customers the convenience to reach the Lulu closest to them, without having to traverse lengthy distances" he said. Lulu hypermarkets account for nearly a third of the entire Gulf's retail market share accounting for footfall in excess of 425,000 everyday which well embodies the irrefutable Lulu presence among people.

It is a world unto itself with about 26,000 employees across nationalities working where variety and diversity override any other aspect. Lulu, the multi-faceted business conglomerate known for its customer friendly approach and value added offers bears the stamp of variety and modernity, while maintaining its tryst with quality and friendliness.

Lulu, Salalah, is the ninth outlet in Oman with upcoming projects in Buraimi, Nizwa and Khasab at advanced stages of completion. Lulu is further expanding with more projects in the Gulf as well as in other countries. Interestingly enough, Lulu commenced its operations in Oman at Salalah way back in the year 1999. The new mall is an affirmation of the group's intent to consolidate its presence in the Sultanate and Salalah with its enviable status as a leading tourist destination offers immense scope for growth. Lulu Hypermarket at Salalah is the bold step in becoming part of such a big boom and leading from the front. For the Lulu Group, the growth trajectory so far has been amazingly impressive with new stores coming up almost at regular intervals. The philosophy behind the initiative is simple. It intends to stay close to its customers everywhere. In Oman, this will pave the way for more Lulu outlets in more Wilayats.

Omanisation has been one key area in Oman with significant attention given to its implementation. Lulu, as a business entity complying with the requirements stands in the forefront with a close to 2500 Omani nationals on its rolls. As an organisation with equal employment opportunity for all, Lulu actively seeks to promote and develop the human potential, particularly of the nationals and cares to nurture them in their buds. Harnessing their talents, Lulu promises a growth path for the deserving.

© Oman Daily Observer 2011