LuLu Xpress in Jeddah’s Al-Balad gives city’s historical district new address for shopping

Ahmed Abdel-Hamid Al-Zahrani, mayor of Al-Balad, inaugurated the 31st LuLu Xpress in the Al-Balad District of Jeddah.

LuLu Hypermarket, the fastest expanding retail chain in Saudi Arabia, has opened its 31st express store in Saudi Arabia — in the Al-Balad District of Jeddah. The single-level compact store was inaugurated by chief guest Ahmed Abdel-Hamid Al-Zahrani, mayor of Al-Balad. The chief guest was welcomed by Shehim Muhammed, director — LuLu Hypermarkets, Saudi Arabia, and senior management members. Rafeek Mohammed Ali, regional director — LuLu Western Province, was also present on the occasion.

Founded in the seventh century, Al-Balad has historically served as the center of Jeddah. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014.

Spread over 35,000 square feet, the Xpress outlet brings shoppers the ease and convenience of LuLu’s signature product range as well as the promise of quality and affordability in a setting where space has been optimally utilized. It also has excellent parking facilities with 275 car spaces and will primarily target those who love to shop in smaller quantities nearer to their home or office to avoid traffic and larger, crowded stores, while still enjoying the price advantage of big format stores. The store has 13 checkout counters for customers to complete the speedy shopping circle.

Fresh fruits and vegetables, grocery, meat and poultry, and fresh and frozen food sections are the main focus of the store with emphasis on quick service. New features include an emphasis on contemporary food preferences, with a wide range of organic and “free from” food ingredients, freshly made in-store food such as world cuisine items, fresh-baked goods, juices, salads, sushi, fish grill, premium fresh meat cuts and seafood and healthy diet foods. The modern and easy layout includes a section for pet foods, household goods, an expansive imported product range and a dedicated section for food items that are “Proudly Grown in KSA.”

In addition, there are also the popular LuLu sections such as BLSH beauty products and LuLu Connect, the electronics and digital products hub. Al-Balad, also known as the “Gate to Makkah,” is of utmost importance to Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, and as a result, LuLu Xpress has designated retail areas for them as well.

LuLu director Muhammed said that the opening of LuLu Express represented the group’s flexible expansion policy and showed how closely the group is supporting the Kingdom’s urban planning and new developments. “LuLu Saudi is incredibly delighted to add a store in the historic city as well as to make a better shopping experience accessible to the citizens and visitors,” he said.

“Today, many customers are looking for a quicker and more concentrated shopping format such as the ‘LuLu Express.’ However, they also want the key deliverables of our brand, which is quality, affordability, and great customer service. We aim to combine these promises with our ‘LuLu Express,’” Muhammed added.

“The LuLu Express store format will complement the hypermarket store expansion in the years ahead.”

There will be plenty of special deals and promotions until May 30 to celebrate the opening.