LuLu Hypermarket in the Kingdom is set to employ 10,000 Saudis during the next five years, Padmasiri Yusuffali M.A, managing director of LuLu Group, told newsmen in Riyadh on Wednesday.

He was speaking to reporters following the opening of the 112th branch of the LuLu Hypermarket at Exit-30 Khurais Road by Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz in Riyadh on Wednesday.

The inauguration was held in the presence of a distinguished gathering which included Indian Ambassador Hamid Ali Rao, Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al-Saud, Yusuffali M.A, Kamel S. Al-Munajjed, chairman of Saudi-India Joint Business Council, Saifee T. Rupawala, CEO, Asharaf Ali, executive director and Shehim Mohammed, regional director of LuLu Group.

In addition, prominent businessmen, government and local government officials and other dignitaries including a large number of expatriates and citizens were also present at the launch.

“Providing job opportunities to local youths is one of our core focus areas and we will continue to recruit more nationals into our operations in different categories from front-line sales staff to technical and managerial positions,” Yusuffali M.A said, adding that with oil prices showing positive growth and recession a thing of the past, tremendous developments are taking place in the Gulf economies and LuLu intends to play a part in the growth process. Currently, he said there are more than 1,000 nationals working for the group in the Kingdom.

LuLu plans to open eight more hypermarkets in different parts of the Kingdom in the next 24 months, including one in Jubail and another in Dammam shortly.

“Our concept in these retail outlets is to promote Saudi products and we want LuLu to be a showcase for locally manufactured products,” he said, adding that LuLu is also interested in maintaining its unique standard in all its marketing strategies in the Kingdom.

Answering a question, he said the Saudi Arabia General Investment Authority (SAGIA) has been giving its utmost support to LuLu alongside other government institutions in the Kingdom.

“LuLu Hypermarkets which have around 32,000 employees in its various branches has a very clear human resource development policy especially when it comes to providing training and job opportunities to Saudi youths. LuLu employs Saudis in almost all categories and they are also regularly sent to other countries for training and growth prospects.

“We are very clear in our approach for expansion and I am also very confident about the economic situation of Saudi Arabia and have full trust in the vision of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. Moreover, we are fully committed to continue our forward march,” said Yusuffali M.A.

Indian Ambassador Rao said that this is another major step in strengthening the bilateral ties in the field of trade and investment.

Kamel S. Al-Munajjed said LuLu has made tremendous efforts toward the economic development of the Kingdom. “It is not only upgrading its services from time to time, but it is also helping the local human resources to develop their skills through various training programs in the Kingdom.

Al-Munajjed recalled that the Saudi-India economic relations were accelerated from the year 2006 with the Delhi Declaration, followed by the Riyadh Declaration subsequently. The recent meeting between Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, and Indian Premier Narendra Modi in Australia has further strengthened the bilateral relations, said Al-Munajjed.

The 240,000 sq. ft. hypermarket will feature a fresh food section comprising fruit, vegetables, dairy products, meat, fish and hot and cold ready-to-eat food; it also has a huge area dedicated to department store items such as electronics, IT products, home appliances, sports, stationery, furnishings and furniture and fashion brands for ladies, gents and kids, and 40 cash counters to ensure a hassle-free shopping experience.

This hypermarket is expected to become the shopping destination of choice for Riyadh residents. In addition, and in true tradition of LuLu stores across the Gulf, the hypermarket will feature the widest choice of world class brands at the fairest prices and also offer a whole world of shopping with a good selection of brands and product lines all under one roof. LuLu’s winning formula of good value for money quality shopping will be a delight for the residents of Riyadh who will cherish the pleasurable shopping experience and the economy it offers.

The hypermarket also houses Sparkys, Darbar Restaurant, coffee shops, Arabic Oud, perfumes,watches, mobiles, gifts & accessories shops apart from ATMs, money exchange and a pharmacy.