Lulu's UAE Expansion: Jobs Flourishing

Lulu's Expansion in UAE: Thousands of New Jobs on City Outskirts

The UAE's (United Arab Emirates) economic growth and the rapid increase in population create further opportunities for retail. The Lulu Retail Group, one of the largest retail chains in the UAE, is now focusing on the outskirts of major cities to meet changing demands. This expansion not only means an increase in the number of stores but also the creation of thousands of new jobs in the country and the region.

Population Growth and Expansion Beyond Cities

The UAE's major cities, like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, have experienced significant growth in recent years, mainly due to the influx of foreign workers. However, rents are rising, and traffic is becoming denser in city centers and downtown areas. Therefore, more residents are moving to city outskirts where housing is cheaper, and quality of life is more convenient.

The Lulu Group noticed this trend and decided to extend its presence to these areas. The founder of the Lulu Group stated that fifteen new projects are underway in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. "The population is moving from cities to the outskirts, so we want to explore these areas. Depending on population density, we will open either a hypermarket or an express store," he explained.

Thousands of New Jobs

Lulu's expansion signifies not just an increase in store number but also considerable job creation. According to company leaders, the new stores will create hundreds, if not thousands, of new jobs in the UAE's retail sector. The Lulu Group's IPO prospectus also announced that a hypermarket employs approximately 290 staff, while an express store has 55, and a mini-market employs 3.

The CEO of Lulu Retail emphasized that UAE's population growth creates vast opportunities for the company. "We are negotiating with several developers and are grateful to those who regard us as a fundamental partner, enabling us to have a presence everywhere in the UAE. Currently, talks are underway for 30 projects, but these are not yet finalized," he said.

Expansion in Saudi Arabia Too

The Lulu Group is expanding not only in the UAE but also in the region. Saudi Arabia is a particularly important market for the company. According to Rupawala, Lulu aims to strengthen its position in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) region's key retail market, with plans to open 37 new stores in Saudi Arabia and a target of 100 store openings by 2028.

The Lulu Group has already opened stores in Saudi Arabia's holy cities of Medina and Mecca, creating further opportunities for the company in the region.

Job Creation and Future Plans

Lulu Group's expansion means significant job creation not only in the UAE and Saudi Arabia but also in other GCC countries. The company currently employs approximately 55,000 full-time employees, and this number will increase with the opening of new stores.

The CEO highlighted that each store has its own needs, depending on its size. "Exciting times are ahead in the UAE and the GCC region. New cities are being built in Kuwait, and we have already identified two cities where we want to debut," he said during the opening of Lulu's new store in Al Satwa, Dubai.

Future Prospects

Lulu Group's expansion is significant not only for the company but also for the economic growth of the entire region. New stores offer more options for consumers and provide jobs for thousands. Lulu plans more store openings in strategic locations such as Al Jaddaf, JLT, Nad Al Hammar, Dubai Expo City, Khorfakhan, and Oud Al Mutina.

The economic growth in the UAE and the GCC region continues at a robust pace, and the Lulu Group intends to capitalize on this opportunity. The company's expansion is not only significant for retail but also promotes the overall economic development of the region.