LuLu Group International

{{Infobox company | image = LuLu Group Headquarters, Y Tower, Abu Dhabi.jpg | image_size = 260px | image_caption = Headquarters in Abu Dhabi | name = LuLu Group International | logo = LuLuGroupInternationalLogo.png | type = Private | area_served = {{unbulleted list|Asia (including the <br />GCC and MENA)|Africa|Europe|United States}} | founder = M. A. Yusuff Ali | key_people = M. A. Yusuff Ali (Founder & Managing Director) | industry = Conglomerate | revenue = | num_employees = 65,000 | subsid = LOT The Value Shop | website = {{URL|https://lulugroupinternational.com}} | caption = | location_city = Abu Dhabi | location_country = United Arab Emirates | locations = 239 stores | foundation = {{start date and age|1995}} }}

'''LuLu Group International''' is an Indian-Emirati multinational conglomerate company that operates a chain of hypermarkets and retail companies, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. LuLu Group India Head Quarters is located in Kochi, India<ref>[https://www.luluhypermarket.in/contact-us]</ref> It was founded in 1989 by M. A. Yusuff Ali from Nattika in Kerala, India. The Group mainly operates "LuLu Hypermarket", a chain of hypermarkets that ranks among the top grocers in many of the markets it operates in. LuLu has over 65,000 employees of various nationalities.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/naazneenkarmali/2013/02/24/middle-east-retailer-yusuff-ali-emerges-as-billionaire/|title=Middle East Retailer Yusuff Ali Emerges As Billionaire |work=Forbes |access-date=2013-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=YUSUFFALI M.A.|url=http://yusuffali.com/}}</ref>

It is one of the largest retail chains in Asia and is the biggest in the Middle East with 259 outlets in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and elsewhere. In addition to LuLu Hypermarket, the group operates 13 malls in the GCC, and 5 malls in India.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Khan |first=Sobia |date=2022-08-05 |title=Lulu Group Int'l plans to expand in India over the next few years |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/retail/lulu-group-intl-plans-to-expand-in-india-over-the-next-few-years/articleshow/93372468.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-03-30 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> The group is among the world's 50 fastest growing retailers.<ref>{{cite web|title = LuLu Hypermarket {{!}} Supermarkets {{!}} Department Stores|url = http://india.luluhypermarket.com/lulu-hypermarket-opens-its-118th-store-in-sinaw-oman-zzy64.html|website = india.luluhypermarket.com|access-date = 2015-11-18|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180225205418/http://india.luluhypermarket.com/lulu-hypermarket-opens-its-118th-store-in-sinaw-oman-zzy64.html|archive-date = 2018-02-25|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.arabnews.com/lulu-named-fastest-growing-retailer |title=Lulu named fastest growing retailer |date=2 February 2013 |publisher=Arab News |access-date=2013-02-02}}</ref> The group also owns the Lulu Convention Centre in Thrissur and the Lulu Bolgatty International Convention Centre in Mulavukad Island which is one of the largest convention centres in South Asia.<ref>[https://www.ritzmagazine.in/the-lulu-bolgatty-international-convention-centre/ Ritz Magazine]</ref><ref>[http://newsroom.hyatt.com/news-releases?item=123665 Hyatt]</ref> The group acquired a 10-percent stake in the UK-based trading firm, East India Company, and a 40-percent stake in its fine foods subsidiary for around $85 million in total.<ref>[https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/lulu-launches-into-luxury-sector-with-investment-in-uk-s-east-india-company-1.281861 The National]</ref> Y International is the export distribution center in the United States and Europe for LuLu Group International.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://yinternational.us.com/our-company/ |title=Our Company - Y International USA |publisher=Yinternational.us.com |access-date=2020-01-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yinternational.uk/ |title=YInternational Uk |publisher=YInternational Uk |access-date=2020-01-18}}</ref>

==History== LuLu Group International opened its first supermarket in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in 1995, when the retail business scenario in the region started to change with the entry of Continent (now Carrefour). Later, LuLu supermarkets expanded its operations in Abu Dhabi and opened several Lulu stores in the emirate of Dubai. In the late 1990s, the LuLu Center department stores were launched, and the group expanded to other countries in the Middle East.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lulu celebrates ‘decade of success’ in Saudi Arabia |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1376401/%7B%7B |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=Arab News |language=en}}</ref>

In 2000, the first Lulu Hypermarket store was opened in Dubai. With this launch, the group embarked on an aggressive expansion plan. It soon grew into a chain with several outlets across the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, and Yemen. On March 10, 2013, the first LuLu mall in India was opened in Kochi which was the largest mall in the country during that time.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/slideshows/infrastructure/indias-largest-mall-in-kochi-lulu-mall/largest-mall-in-india-by-expanse/slideshow/18923988.cms |title=India's largest mall in Kochi: Lulu Mall |publisher=The Economic Times |access-date=2013-03-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://in.news.yahoo.com/photos/asia-s-largest-shopping-mall-opens-in-kerala-slideshow/ |title=India's largest shopping mall in Kochi, Kerala |publisher=Yahoo News India |access-date=2013-03-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-indias-biggest-malls/20130424.htm#1 |title=India's 10 biggest malls |work=rediff.com |access-date=2013-04-24}}</ref> The group opened its largest mall, Lulu Mall in Thiruvananthapuram in December 2021, which was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan along with other personalities.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/international/india/lulu-to-build-indias-second-biggest-mall-for-300m-in-kerala |title=LuLu to build India's second biggest mall for $300m in Kerala |publisher=Khaleej Times |access-date=2017-04-11}}</ref>

In 2025, LuLu launched many "LOT The Value Shop" stores in many locations in Middle East, these stores focused on affordable products.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nair |first=Manoj |date=2025-07-17 |title=Will UAE, Saudi shoppers take to 'value retailing'? Lulu thinks so with stores offering under Dh20/SR22 products |url=https://gulfnews.com/business/retail/under-dh20-shopping-lulu-takes-on-gulfs-online-giants-with-lot-value-retail-1.500201148 |access-date=2025-10-20 |website=Gulf News: Latest UAE news, Dubai news, Business, travel news, Dubai Gold rate, prayer time, cinema |language=en}}</ref>

==Operations== [[File:Lulu_Cybertower.jpg|thumb|Lulu Cyber Tower at Kochi, Kerala, India]] [[File:Lulu Mall view from Edapally Metro station.jpg|thumb|Lulu Mall view from Edapally Metro station at Kochi, Kerala, India at night]] [[File:Lulu Mall - Lucknow 20220717 172748.jpg|thumb|Lulu Mall, Lucknow inside view]]

=== Middle East and India === As of September 2024, there are more than 200 LuLu Hypermarkets in the GCC, 7 in India at Kochi, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Coimbatore, Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad, Kottayam Hyderabad and Kozhikode,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emirates247.com/business/corporate/lulu-to-open-100th-outlet-in-rak-2012-04-22-1.455109 |title=Lulu to open 100th outlet in RAK |publisher=Emirates 24/7 |access-date=2012-04-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-06-13 |title=LuLu to start hypermarket ops in Coimbatore this week |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/lulu-to-start-hypermarket-ops-in-coimbatore-this-week/articleshow/100951675.cms |access-date=2023-06-16 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> 4 in Malaysia and 4 in Indonesia. Lulu group has 6 other operations in India, the LuLu Cyber Tower in Kochi, Kerala, LuLu fashion center in Thrissur, 2 Marriott hotels and resorts in Kochi, 2 LuLu International Convention Centre in Thrissur and Kochi, 1 Grand Hyatt hotel Kochi and 2 Hyatt Regency in Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur. Lulu group is heavily investing in Bengaluru, Chennai, Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Kozhikode and Kollam.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

The group opened the doors of their newly constructed mall in Kozhikode on 9 September 2024. It features the largest Lulu hypermarket with an area of 1.5 lakh sq ft along with LuLu Fashion Store, LuLu Connect and Funtura. The group is also planning to construct a second mall in Kozhikode which would have a larger area compared to the present mall and would feature cinemas and many more international brands. The group owns hypermarkets in Kollam, Thrissur, Kottayam, Palakkad and Kozhikode in addition with Kochi The group has started construction of their new hypermarkets in Kottayam, Tirur, Ahmedabad, Chennai and Varanasi. The group also have plans to construct malls in Prayagraj, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Visakhapatnam and a hypermarket in Perinthalmanna. The LuLu group is also setting up a food processing unit in Greater Noida.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

===International=== In April 2013, LuLu Group launched operations in Birmingham with the inauguration of logistics and packaging facility under the name, Y International. The facility procures and exports food, non-food, chilled and frozen products of British origin for sale in LuLu Hypermarkets. Date coding and labelling for different countries, translation of labels, Halal and other relevant certifications are also carried out. Y International employs 60 employees and aims to create 200 jobs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tradearabia.com/news/RET_233563.html |title=LuLu opens logistics centre in Birmingham |publisher=Trade Arabia |access-date=2013-04-07}}</ref> In May 2014, following the visit of then Prime Minister of Malaysia Najib Razak to UAE, a memorandum of understanding between Lulu Hypermarket and the Federal Land Development Authority of Malaysia was signed for the establishment of ten Lulu Hypermarkets in Malaysia.<ref name="lulu">{{cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/business/retail/lulu-hypermarket-to-open-10-outlets-in-malaysia-1.1335238|title=Lulu Hypermarket to open 10 outlets in Malaysia|publisher=Gulf News|date=19 May 2014|access-date=21 May 2014|author=Sarah Diaa}}</ref><ref name="lulu1">{{cite web|url=http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=377409|title=LuLu Group to open 10 Malaysia outlets|publisher=Gulf Daily News|date=20 May 2014|access-date=21 May 2014}}</ref>

===Locations=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Country ! First store ! Number of stores |- | United Arab Emirates || align=center|2000 || align=center| 175<ref>{{Cite web |title=The UAE is A Regional Hub for International Companies |url=https://www.moec.gov.ae/en/-/lulu-group-international}}</ref> |- | India || align=center|2013<ref>Lulu opens the biggest mall in India at Kerala</ref> || align=center|12 |- | Oman ||align=center|2005 || style="text-align:center;"|35 |- | Bahrain || align=center|2007<ref>[https://archive.today/20130616050654/http://www.freshplaza.com/news_detail.asp?id=7018 Bahrain: First LuLu hypermarket in Manama inaugurated]</ref> || align=center|11 |- | Saudi Arabia ||align=center|2009<ref>[http://www.khaleejtimes.com/biz/inside.asp?xfile=/data/business/2009/November/business_November342.xml&section=business Business – First Lulu Hypermarket Opens in Saudi Arabia]</ref> || align=center|34<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1697176/corporate-news|title = Lulu to go ahead with KSA expansion|date = 29 June 2020}}</ref> |- | Kuwait || align=center|2007 || align=center|6 |- | Qatar || align=center|2000 || align=center|22 |- | Egypt || align=center|2010<ref>[http://www.arabianbusiness.com/lulu-hypermarkets-opens-first-store-in-egypt-358027.html Lulu hypermarkets opens first store in Egypt - UAE - ArabianBusiness.com]</ref> || align=center|3 |- | Yemen || align=center|2006 || align=center|1 |- | Indonesia || align=center|2016|| align="center" |2<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tradearabia.com/news/RET_307894.html|title=Lulu opens its first departmental things to the very under below of the rajeev stores in champakkara with ments cutoof ad fz rpm cut in Indonesia|website=www.tradearabia.com|access-date=2016-06-01}}</ref> |- | Suriname || align=center|2016|| align=center| 1 |- | Malaysia || align=center|2016<ref name="lulu"/><ref name="lulu1"/> || align=center| -<ref name="lulu"/><ref name="lulu1"/> |}

==Ownership== Lulu Hypermarket is owned by LuLu Group International.<ref name="economic-times-2017-08-20">{{cite news|title=How Adeeb Ahamed of the LuLu Group is foraying further with food, toys and fashion|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/retail/turning-tables-how-adeeb-ahamed-of-the-lulu-group-is-foraying-further-with-food-toys-and-fashion/articleshow/60136087.cms|access-date=16 January 2018|publisher=The Economic Times|date=20 August 2017}}</ref> LuLu Group International also owns Twenty14 Holdings, which owns hotels across the world.{{cn|date=July 2025}}

In 2024 LuLu group experienced a major data breach exposing over 200,000 customer records. The attack was claimed by IntelBroker and included personal details such as email addresses and phone numbers. The full database which has not been leaked yet, allegedly contained millions of user and order details.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-10 |title=UAE's Lulu Hypermarket Data Breach: Hackers Claim Millions of Customer Records |url=https://hackread.com/uae-lulu-hypermarket-data-breach-hackers-customer-records/ |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=hackread.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{official website|https://lulugroupinternational.com}}

Category:2000 establishments in the United Arab Emirates Category:Retail companies established in 2000 Category:Companies based in Abu Dhabi Category:Supermarkets of the United Arab Emirates Category:Emirati brands Category:Multinational companies headquartered in the United Arab Emirates Category:Supermarkets of India Category:LuLu Group