A major retailer of the region, LuLu Hypermarket Qatar has won the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award in the ‘Best Company in the Private Sector’ cetegory at the 8th CSR Awards this year for its "earnest efforts" towards ‘Social responsibility in facing Covid-19’.
In a press statement on Saturday, the retailer said LuLu’s sustained CSR efforts started with its inception and it "has been pursuing the mission with many activities".
Dr Mohamed Althaf, director of LuLu Group International, received the award from HE Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani al-Thani, chairman of Dar Al Sharq, at a ceremony. Sheikh Thani bin Ali al-Thani, chairman of the CSR Committee at Dar Al Sharq, Jaber al-Harami, deputy CEO of Dar Al Sharq, and other officials from both the organisations were present.
Recognising CSR as one of its key missions, LuLu Hypermarket Qatar partnered with the Social Responsibility Committee for the CSR Awards held under the theme 'Social responsibility in facing Covid-19'.
"As a company with strong CSR policies, LuLu Hypermarket has always been at the forefront when it comes to giving back to the society and environment. LuLu’s efforts as a committed supporter of various social initiatives have been very well-accepted and appreciated by the community," the statement noted. "LuLu Hypermarket has made remarkable contributions to hold the community firmly together during the trials and tribulations posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. It has supported the contingency plan rolled out by the ministries of Commerce and Industry, Interior, and Administrative Development, Labour & Social Affairs to address the crisis head on by opening temporary supermarkets at four different locations in the Industrial Area and ensuring the availability of essential items with a view to serve the people who had tested Covid-19-positive and were in quarantine."
During this period, LuLu Hypermarket also carried out several relief works through the distribution of food baskets under the aegis of the Indian embassy in Doha, Indian Community Benevolent Forum, Integrated Indian Community Centre and KMCC Qatar, etc.
Proactive measures were taken by LuLu Hypermarket to ensure food security during the initial days of the crises by "chartering cargo flights, deepening the storage of essentials and enhancing its e-commerce capability".
From the beginning of the pandemic, LuLu Group organised a massive campaign named 'Your Health is in your Hands”, aiming to promote awareness of hand hygiene among customers, employees and the general public.
It has implemented a series of Covid-19 protocols at its stores, including social distancing guidelines by placing signages at vantage points inside the outlets, pre-packed supply of vegetables, fruits, roastery, cheese, meat and bakery, display of essential items at multiple locations in a store to avoid crowding, cashless payment option at checkouts, dedicated checkouts for elderly and vulnerable shoppers, and enhanced e-commerce services such as ‘Express Delivery’ option for same-day delivery and ‘Click and Collect’ option for store pick-up service through its online shopping platform.
Further, it installed protective screens at checkouts to safeguard both customers and the staff.
"LuLu was the first retailer to take steps to ensure continuous and thorough cleaning and sanitisation of all shared surfaces and touch points at hypermarkets, such as shopping trolley handles, baskets, handrails of the travellators and lifts, and washrooms and common areas. LuLu Group has also deployed well-trained safety marshals in the aisles of all branches across the region, who monitor the customer flow and make sure that health and safety standards are observed stringently in the stores," the statement explained.
Complementing the support extended by the Qatari government to the Lebanese people under the 'Lebanon in our Hearts' campaign, LuLu Hypermarket donated a consignment of food baskets to Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) for onward delivery.
For the third year in a row, LuLu Hypermarket contributed generously to Qatar Charity to support QC’s Ramadan campaign titled 'Calm your Heart by Giving” as part of its community initiative, 'Shop & Donate'. Also, LuLu organised a charity campaign in co-operation with QRCS titled 'Buy Ramadan gift box and donate QR50 to needy families'.
In order to support Qatar Cancer Society for its ongoing projects, LuLu Hypermarket raised and donated QR125,000 under the campaign, 'Shop & Donate'. LuLu was honoured for its efforts in this regard.
LuLu partnered with the Education Above All Foundation (EAA) and donated $4mn, being a ‘Silver Sponsor’ of the Educate A Child initiative. EAA champions and defends the basic right to education around the world with 50 projects in 43 countries.
Further, LuLu Hypermarket raised QR2mn for EAA Foundation’s Assalam Schools project.
Most recently, LuLu Hypermarket conducted a series of workshops on retail platforms to support young budding local entrepreneurs as part of a joint initiative by Qatar Development Bank and Silatech in collaboration with Bedaya Centre for Entrepreneurship and Career Development.
Under this initiative, Qatari startup businesses will have the opportunity to display and promote their products in one of LuLu Hypermarket’s outlets free of charge. This is envisaged to enhance the role of local entrepreneurs in the society.
LuLu is also a recipient of a ‘Sustainability Award’ from the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development in appreciation of its long-standing and continued efforts towards sustainability.
