LuLu to put premium on health, wellness, says Althaf

Not only is LuLu cementing its reputation as an environment-conscious company that strongly advocates sustainable development, but it is also Qatar’s partner in promoting sports, as well as an active and healthy lifestyle, a top official has said.

Dr Mohamed Althaf, director, LuLu Group International, was referring to the Abu Sidra Mall, which houses LuLu’s “biggest and most innovative hypermarket in Qatar.” The hypermarket, LuLu’s 15th store in Qatar, opened to the public in September.“This mall is complete, so we plan to fully open it by January 2022. This shopping mall is focusing on health, wellness, and fitness, as well as sustainability. It is a sports and wellness-themed establishment, hence people will find a wide variety of products and services that promote a healthy lifestyle,” he noted.According to Althaf, the Abu Sidra Mall will not only feature different stores connected to fitness and wellness, but it will also boast of wellness clinics, yoga studio, and gyms for both ladies and gents. “But aside from these, the mall will also offer amenities for entertainment sections and family fashion brands,” noted Althaf.He said, “We are not aggressively looking for high-profile brands but rather brands that we believe will fit in the theme of our shopping mall. The stores will offer a lot of ‘healthy brands’ and sports apparel.“A large area is dedicated for sports and entertainment, where a lot of activities could be held, especially for the kids. Around the shopping mall, we have a jogging track that caters to the health-conscious and for those looking for an area to exercise and get fit,” explained Althaf, who noted that “the majority of the spaces in the mall have already been leased out.” Harun Kadri, Leasing & Mall manager, said the Abu Sidra Mall is almost 75% leased, offering “very premium brands.” With the presence of LuLu’s hypermarket spanning 24,000sqm, he said customer footfall may reach as high as almost “10,000 visitors on weekends,” and around “8,000 people daily” on weekdays.In an earlier statement, LuLu Group chairman and managing director Yusuffali M A stressed that the hypermarket reaffirms the group’s confidence “in the vision and energy of Qatar’s leadership and part of a global expansion plan that has already put the group in the Deloitte Top 150 list of Global Retailers for 2021.”In a previous interview with Gulf Times, Althaf stressed that LuLu Group is seeking to reduce its carbon footprint by 50% by 2030 as part of its sustainable development initiatives. As a retail outlet pioneering in sustainable development in Qatar, Althaf said all new LuLu outlets in the country are based on the principle of sustainability.“Our strategy is very clear that at least by 2030 all our carbon footprint should be reduced by 50%, and by 2050, we definitely want to become net-zero and to become carbon neutral,” he emphasised.Ends