Lulu Int’l Group to open six hypermarkets in Malaysia

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin and Ahmed Fadil Shamsudhin visiting LuLu Hypermarket in Barsha, Dubai. Also seen are Ashraf Ali M.A., Saifee T. Rupawala, Saleem M.A. and other officials.— Supplied photo

Malaysians will get another option to shop for reasonably-priced items when the Abu Dhabi-based Lulu International Group opens its hypermarkets in Malaysia under a collaboration with Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) of Malaysia.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said under the joint venture, Lulu Group would open its first hypermarket in Kuala Lumpur this year before unveiling another five at different locations in the next few years.

He that said the group had agreed to invest $200 million (RM647 million) in its hypermarkets in Malaysia.

“They will also help market more Malaysian products at their hypermarkets, including those produced by our small-and medium-sized industries and Felda.”

“It is, indeed, a good opportunity for us as Lulu International is the biggest operator of hypermarkets chain in the region with an annual turnover of more than $5 billion (RM16.2 billion),” Muhyiddin said after visiting a Lulu hypermarket in Dubai.

Also, present on the occasion were Ahmed Fadil Shamsudhin, Consul General of Malaysia in Dubai, Lulu Group CEO Saifee T. Rupawala, Executive Director Ashraf Ali M.A. and Director Salim M.A. and other senior officials. Lulu Group has more than 100 hypermarkets in the Middle East and one in Kerala, India.

Muhyiddin said the group had also agreed to sign contract farming deals with local farmers and entrepreneurs to help supply fresh vegetables and fruits to their hypermarkets.

“They are interested to buy in bulk highlands vegetables and we may promote the produce from Cameron Highlands (Pahang) and Kundasang (Sabah),” said Muhyiddin.

Muhyiddin established a personal relationship with Lulu Group founder, Yusuff Ali M.A., when he helped to promote Malaysian products in the UAE during his tenure as domestic trade and consumer affairs minister.

He said that the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) would help identify and promote local fruits and vegetables while Malaysia Airlines would be asked to provide competitive freight services to transport the perishable items to the Middle East.