Supermarkets being decked up for the holy month

THE holy month of Ramadan is really a month of surprises and fabulous prizes from the shopping centers and supermarkets.
Discounted prices on consumer items and attractive prizes such as automobiles for lucky shoppers are well publicized in print and electronic media prior to the holy month.
LuLu Hypermarket will give eight GMC Yukon vehicles as prizes for lucky winners among its shoppers in all parts of the Kingdom.
LuLu is a popular and a pioneer retail chain in the Middle East, which is operated by LuLu International group. The group’s retail chain LuLu caters to over 5000,0000 customers everyday and enjoys over 48 percent of total retail market share within GCC. The group already has opened 104 shops throughout the GCC. LuLu’s expansion drive reached the Kingdom and was the first hypermarket to be opened in Alkhobar. It was the 76th shop of LuLu. The second launch was at Riyadh Avenue mall, located in Murabba in the capital city. Riyadh Avenue also houses many other international brands, restaurants, food courts, jewelry shops and coffee shops.
LuLu Regional Manager Shehim Mohammed told Arab News that Ramadan is a special month for the group. “We have made fascinating arrangements for the customers, who patronize the LuLu markets in the Kingdom,” Mohammed said.
The manager explained that in all eight cars will be distributed among the prizewinners over a period of three months beginning from the holy month. He added that the essential commodities that are commonly consumed during the holy month are being priced at competitive rates. “Some of the prices marked will suit everyone’s budget,” he added.
In cooperation with the SABB, he said, LuLu has organized a hire purchase scheme for the purchase of electronic, IT and home appliances. “The customers can pay in easy installments after collecting their goods from LuLu,” he said.
Abdul Basheer M., regional director of LuLu Hypermarket, said that the textile store would give discounts up to 70 percent on all marked prices.
“The whole idea of the promotion offer is to show our appreciation to our customers, who have patronized LuLu from its inception.”
Tamimi Markets, which has 19 outlets in the Kingdom claims that they will sell most of the consumer items at attractive prices. “Market prices for the forthcoming are unbelievable,” he said.
They have also arranged special gifts to shoppers, who purchase goods for more than SR 200. The group has 11 retail outlets in Riyadh, six in the Eastern Province and two in Jeddah.
Al-Othaim Markets have also come out with competitive prices to attract customers during the holy month. “ Prices of most of the food items have been slashed to serve the customers,” a marketing executive from Al-Othaim said, adding that those who hold Iktissab card will be given immediate discount at the counters.
Customers, who regularly patronize Al-Othaim markets can avail of its Iktissab cards. “These cards are given free-of-charge at the cashier’s counter,” the executive said, adding the Iktissab card gives a chance to obtain cash amounts to be added to the balance remaining in the card while shopping every time at Al-Othaim Markets.
Azizia Panda, a large chain of supermarkets in the Kingdom, has announced reduced prices on a wide range of items that are commonly consumed during the holy month.
Prominent malls such as Panorama, Hayatt, Ghornatah, Al-Othaim and Sahara in the capital are busy decorating their complexes to attract customers during the nights of Ramadan. Colorful illuminations are being installed to make the evenings a cosy and entertaining place for the shopping pleasure. An attendant at a mall said that shops have their own form of decorations to suit the season and their respective products.
Car showrooms throughout the Kingdom have come out with promotional prices during the season. The showrooms are fully decorated with Ramadan Kareem tags to attract the customers. In some of the showrooms, vehicles can be bought with down payment at an extraordinary low monthly instalment.