The UAE-based Emke group will open its biggest LuLu hypermarket at Baushar in Muscat on September 6.
"We have invested 10 million Omani riyals in this hypermarket, which will be spread over 250,000 square feet," said Yousef Ali, managing director of the group.
The group's biggest property is in Al Ghusais in Dubai, spread over 240,000 square feet.
"We see good potential in the market and next year we will open hypermarkets in Sohar and Darseit in Muscat. We are making every effort to give discerning shoppers in Muscat the best international standard experience."
The outlet in Darseit, which ran into initial clearance problems, will be opened in June and the Sohar outlet in July. There were traffic problems at the site of the hypermarket, but Yousef Ali said the matter had been resolved.
The group, he revealed, had recruited 250 Omanis and were training them in the UAE and Qatar hypermarkets. "We will start our first hypermarket with 40 per cent Omanisation," he said. "Gradually, we plan to open similar stores in Nizwa and Sur."
The group is also eyeing Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Libya, Egypt, Sri Lanka and Sudan for expansion.
Gulf News
