Lulu opens first ever all women staff store in Saudi Arabia

As part of their 200th store-launch initiatives, leading UAE-based retailer Lulu Group inaugurated it’s first ever store led by an all-women staff, which is a pioneering initiative among all the hypermarket brands in the Kingdom and reaffirms its commitment to economic empowerment of Saudi Women in line with the Vision 2030 reform plan.

Lulu Express  in Jeddah’s Al Jamea in Saudi Arabia, which is 201st globally is fully managed by a team of 103 well trained women led by Maha Mohammed Alqarni, General Manager.  

Located near King Abdul Aziz University, in a retail space of 37,000 square feet, the new express store, which is also the 20th in Saudi Arabia, is home to a wide variety of globally sourced products such as grocery essentials, fresh food, health and beauty, household and much more.

Yusuffali MA, Chairman of Lulu Group himself launched this initiative and said “We have always tried to give training and employment to the youth and especially the skilled women of this region. It’s our commitment to the visionary policies of the leadership to empower the women workforce”.  

“Apart from introducing innovative shopping options and product ranges, we are also proud that this new initiative to empower women will go a long way in opening new opportunities and career options for the youth in general and women in particular” he added.

Maha Mohammed Alqarni, General Manager of the newly launched store, said: “I am extremely happy to be part of LuLu Group’s first ever store that is fully managed by women. This is such a great honour for me to represent the growing community of Saudi women who are playing an active role in the progress of the country’s economic activities and aiming to share their skills.”

In the midst of the pandemic, LuLu has played a very crucial role and ensured uninterrupted supply of food and non-food products, while maintaining the highest standards of hygiene, health and safety of both its customers and employees. Enhanced sanitization programs and social distancing norms are being adhered as per industry protocols.

“At present, we employ 3,000 Saudi nationals including 800 women in all the hypermarkets across the Kingdom in various positions and our aim is to encourage more women in our organisation, thereby ensuring Saudi women’s greater economic participation,” said Shehim Mohammed, Director of Lulu Group Saudi Arabia.

Last week, Lulu Group achieved a major milestone achievement by opening its 200th Hypermarket in Cairo in Egypt.