The events kick off Wednesday with officials launching the festivals, which will include food preparation demonstrations, raffles, contests and competitions for young and old - and a lot of cake.
"This year we are going for an even bigger cake," said Abdul Basheer, regional manager for the Lulu chain. "It will be a 101-meter cake, and it will be on display from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and once it is cut by the guest it will be distributed among the customers. The hypermarket is expecting a large turnout."
Cutting the cake in Alkhobar will be municipality chief Essam Abdul Latif Al-Mullah, who inaugurates the activities at 5 p.m. At the new Riyadh hypermarket, Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Abdul Rahman Al-Jeraisy, inaugurates the festival at 8:30 p.m. with the cutting of the capital cake, which goes on view at 5 p.m.
Abdul Basheer said the Lulu chain decided to repeat the event because of the festival's success last year. He said business has been brisk at the Alkhobar store, which is now in the top 10 of the chain's 89 stores across the Middle East, and that the new Riyadh store was doing an amazing volume.
"Within a year and a half, the hypermarket has not only achieved its intended target but has gone far beyond all expectations," he said of the Alkhobar store. "The Lulu Hypermarket in Riyadh recently broke all records with about one million customers visiting the store in the first three weeks since its March 26 opening."
Various competitions and contests for men, women and children have been organized on the sidelines of the festival. "We have kept the entire family in perspective while designing these entertainment activities," Abdul Basheer said.
There will be a number of raffle draws, and a large number of gift vouchers will be distributed. There will be a coloring contest and a pencil drawing contest for children along with salad-making and cooking competitions for women.
Abdul Basheer said the festivals were a way to show the hypermarkets' appreciation of their customers.
"This is a phenomenal achievement, and we are thankful to our loyal customers who believe in us and our products," he said. "We are constantly updating our services and increasing our food product range."
