Muscat: A mini-stampede marked the opening of the UAE-based Emke Group's 10 million Omani riyal LuLu Hypermarket yesterday at Baushar as roads leading to this building were clogged with cars.
Maqbool Bin Ali Bin Sultan, Oman's Minister of Commerce and Industry, opened the biggest hypermarket in Oman as thousands of residents descended upon the domed-shaped building, spread over 250,000 square feet, yesterday morning.
This is the fourth and biggest outlet for the Abu Dhabi-based Emke Group.
There are enough exits to handle crowds and parking lots can accommodate 4,000 vehicles. There is also covered parking for more than 500 cars.
Yesterday, crowds forced security to restore order.
The LuLu Hypermarket will offer several promotions and special offers in the month leading to the holy month of Ramadan. The hypermarket will have a play area with Sony Playstations, a dedicated music store and a mobile phone shop as well as other businesses.
In all 250 Omanis were hired and sent for training at the group's other outlets in the region.
"As important as offering the residents of Oman a superior shopping experience, we had another significant thing in mind while conceiving the project. LuLu Hypermarket Muscat keeps clear focus on promoting Omani products of all varieties, ranging from agricultural produce to art and craft of the country," said Yousaf Ali, managing director of Emke.
In addition, the hypermarket will also feature other outlets, including the first Papa John's Pizza in the Sultanate, KFC, Damas, Atlas and Sea Pearls Jewellery, Costa Coffee and Turtle Book Store. It will also include a multi cuisine food court, optical centre, pharmacy, money exchange centre and other branded outlets
LuLu Hypermarket in Sohar is expected to open in July and another in Darseit is scheduled by June.
The UAE-based group is investing 18 million riyals in Oman.
"The concept of hypermarket shopping has clearly caught on with shopper communities across the region," Yousaf Ali said.
Emke Group, a leading retailer in the Gulf for four decades, has more than 40 outlets.
Sunil K. Vaidya
© Gulf News 2004
