The LuLu Group, a prominent UAE-based retailer, is embarking on the construction of what it claims to be India’s largest shopping mall in Ahmedabad. With an estimated project cost of Rs 4,000 crore, the initiative demonstrates the group’s significant investment in the Indian retail sector.
Construction Timeline: Yusuff Ali MA, Chairman and Managing Director of LuLu Group International, confirmed that the construction of the mega-mall is set to commence in 2024. The announcement was made during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, where a miniature model of the mall was displayed at the UAE stall.
Previous Plans and Expansion: In September 2023, Yusuff Ali hinted at the group’s intention to establish two large shopping malls in India, specifically in Ahmedabad and Chennai. LuLu Group already operates malls in six Indian cities, including the most recent addition in Hyderabad.
National Expansion Strategy: The LuLu Group, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, has been a trailblazer in the Middle East and North Africa’s retail industry. The company operates over 250 hypermarkets and supermarkets, extending its reach across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Egypt, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
Previous Expansion Announcement: In August 2022, LuLu Group announced plans to launch 12 malls across India over the next three years, covering a total development area of approximately 5 million sq ft. The proposed locations include Noida, Gurugram, Chennai, Bengaluru, Calicut, Tirur, Perinthalmanna, Kottayam, Palakkad, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru.
Group Profile: LuLu Group International, established in 2000 by MA Yusuff Ali from Nattika in Kerala, India, primarily operates “Lulu Hypermarket,” a renowned chain of hypermarkets ranking among the top grocers in various markets. With 259 outlets across the GCC countries and beyond, the group boasts an annual turnover of USD 8 billion and employs a diverse workforce of over 65,000 from 42 different nations.
