Satyendra Pathak
Doha
As Qatar is gearing up for the FIFA World Cup 2022, the leading retailer LuLu Hypermarket Group has opened its 20th hypermarket in the country located at Giardino, The Pearl Island, in Doha.
Reaffirming its strong presence in the region, the new hypermarket brings to the shoppers all the conveniences that the Group’s hypermarket chain features such as an abundant range of fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and seafood from around the world. An in-house bakery serves up fresh-baked bread and cakes, and there are shopping options that tap into new award-winning trends.
The two-level, 150,000-square-foot store with state-of-the-art amenities was inaugurated yesterday in the presence of LuLu Group Chairman and Managing Director Yusuff Ali MA and Dr Mohamed Althaf, Director of LuLu Group Qatar.
The inaugural ceremony was also attended by other eminent dignitaries including Sheikh Hassan bin Khaled Al Thani, UDC Chairman Turki bin Mohammed Al Khater, UDC President & CEO Ibrahim Jassim Al Othman, Sheikh Mohamed bin Ahmed MA Al Thani, Hussain Ibrahm Alfardan, Fahad Alfardan, Fardan Al Fardan, Hussain Al-Baker, Commercial Bank of Qatar Group CEO Joseph Abraham, ambassadors representing India, Spain, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Indonesia, Thailand, Panama and Georgia, and a senior commercial officer from the US Embassy.
The hypermarket includes LuLu’s celebrated Planet Y which showcases a wide selection of plant-based meat substitutes and foods, special organic and superfood selections, an extensive ‘free-from’ range, and a zero-waste refill station where eco-conscious shoppers can refill reusable containers with dry goods including pasta, grains, and other items.
The store also includes popular LuLu shopping stations such as LuLu Fashion, the electronics section LuLu Connect, EyeXpress, the beauty, and cosmetics division BLSH, and an extensive section dedicated to the latest IoT appliances and electronics. Customers will find commuting easy with 500 parking spaces at their disposal and self-check-out and green check-out counters in-store. Lulu is committed to delivering the same level of excellence in customer service and quality to our valued customers in this new hypermarket as well.
For shoppers’ convenience, the mall itself has a choice of amenities such as ATM counters, food courts, money exchange, pharmacy, and beauty salon. They have also made available services like wheelchairs, sitting areas, gift wrapping, etc.
As an initiative towards sustainability, the new store is also equipped with a reverse vending machine for recycling plastic bottles, etc.
Talking to Qatar Tribune on the sidelines of the inaugural ceremony, LuLu Group Chairman and Managing Director Yusuff Ali MA said, “We are very happy to inaugurate our flagship hypermarket at the Pearl Qatar and we are thankful to the authorities at the Pearl for shortlisting us to open this kind of hypermarket at the Pearl. We are also than the top leadership of Qatar for their open-hearted support to the Lulu Group.”
“Zillions of fans from across the world will visit Qatar during the World Cup and we expect many of them to visit this outlet as the Pearl Qatar is one of the prime destinations in Qatar. We are fully prepared to serve the fans,” the chairman said.
Lulu Group International Director Dr. Mohamed Althaf, several initiatives like smart technology have been taken to make the shopping experience smoother for visitors.
From self-checkouts to a new system to ensure no waiting and hassle-free checkout, he said, the new hypermarket will cater to residents and fans from all across the world.
It will have a zero waste refill station where shoppers can refill reusable containers with dry goods including pasta, grains, and other items.
It has a vegan and vegetarian section under the name ‘Planet-Y’ offering plant-based meat alternatives.
A section is set apart for vegan, organic, keto-friendly, superfood, gluten-free, protein, dairy-free, under 100 calories, and no added sugar items.
It will have a sushi station with a trained sushi chef freshly made maki rolls and sashimi, a Kimchi station with all ranges, and a juice station with all varieties of freshly made juices.
The superfood pantry will stock affordable superfood items including acai, quinoa, and goji berries.
A vast area of the hypermarket is dedicated to the fresh market produce section.
