The management and staff at the LuLu Hypermarket made extra efforts to ensure that the first raffle draw of the Qatar Summer Wonders would be a pleasant experience that both, shoppers and visitors to the store, would cherish for a long time to come. And going by the response that the draw received, the efforts paid off rich dividends. According to LuLu Hypermarket's operations manager, Mohammad Althaf, the store received some 5,000 visitors during the draw, which began sharp at 7pm and ended about 90 minutes later. "We have our own raffle draws regularly but this was the first time that we held one at our premises for the Qatar Summer Wonders, in the three-year history of the mega-festival," he said. The draw was attended by Fred Van Eijk, chief executive officer at the Qatar Tourism Authority, as well as senior officials of the Dar Al Sharq Printing, Publishing and Distribution Group, which had organised the shopping bonanza.
"The interest generated by the announcement of the first draw was so great that through the week, we received several phone calls from people asking what time they could come to witness it," Althaf said. He revealed that visitors and shoppers, who hoped to be lucky winners by bagging one of the 80 prizes worth QR500,000, started pouring in at the venue from 5pm on Friday. "The additional parking lot we have now opposite our store proved to be extremely useful since a majority of visitors got parking easily and without having to wait in queues to either get in or out," he said.
LuLu Hypermarket had made seating arrangements for the audience, right in front of its Customer Service counters near the main entrance to the store. The draw was conducted on the elevated stage that is located above this counter. "We had our staff separate bachelors and families and guide them to the two different sections of the audience, where we had arranged chairs for their comfort," he said. To ensure that the draw went off smoothly, LuLu Hypermarket had deployed additional security staff, cleaning crew and stores staff. "We also cancelled the weekly holiday of some of our staff to ensure that we had sufficient crew on hand at the store for the draw," he added. He emphasised that these arrangements paid off well since no shopper or visitor reported any inconvenience.
The LuLu Hypermarket had begun preparations for the draw, a good two days in advance. Technicians installed a jumbo screen where the images of the prizes were flashed to help people keep track about which coupon won what item. The Al Sharq staff also worked at the venue for two days. "The logistics of the event were not simple. We had to coordinate collection of the nearly 2.5 million coupons that entered the first raffle draw from the more than 600 participating outlets. We also had to make arrangements for all TV crew to get vantage locations so that they could shoot the draw from a good angle," Althaf said.
To ensure that the hot and humid summer did not spoil the festive mood prevailing during the draw, LuLu Hypermarket staff distributed soft drinks and refreshments for the audience. Cartoon characters offering soft drinks and chips packets played around with children who had accompanied their parents for the draw.
LuLu Hypermarket, Althaf said, had learnt one vital lesson by hosting the draw at its premises. "We have had our own draws several times but during the Qatar Summer Wonders draw, it was fun and excitement for two hours. We have learnt that never underestimate the enthusiasm of the public for such events and we have to make suitable arrangements to ensure that everyone is happy. We are glad that we could fulfill all expectations and that each person went home satisfied," he added.
© The Peninsula 2004
