Qatar’s Lulu Hypermarket has formed an alliance with regional small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for the production of its private-label goods to promote ‘Made in Qatar’ products.
The initiative intends to boost local products and ensure an uninterrupted supply of goods in the occasions of an emergency or disruption. Lulu Hypermarket has partnered with over 40 local companies to produce ‘Lulu Label’ products for stores operating across the country.
Dr. Mohamed Althaf Director Lulu Hypermarket Group – Qatar
“We are now working in partnership with local companies to localize a lot of our private label production. Roughly around 40 companies will be making Lulu’s private label products previously being manufactured in other countries. The partnership will help ensure food security, maintain an uninterrupted supply chain in case of disruption, and create healthy competition in the market. Despite what is going on around the world, Qatar is a hot spot for many global players so we are extending our footprint, deepening relationship with Qatar, and expanding our infrastructure now.”
He added that the Lulu Hypermarket was expected to add more stores, “hopefully by next year, at least four new stores will be opened in the country.”
Regarding logistic supports for Lulu Hypermarkets, Dr. Althaf said, “We are building food security warehouses for strategic storage. We have taken up a place in Manateq, Al Wukair for building deep storage for essential foods.”
At the same time, he said, Lulu’s online presence is also expanding. “We are in the process of setting up the first complete center exclusively for eCommerce to deliver all essential goods swiftly,” he added.
Speaking about the pandemic’s effects, he said that Qatar was resilient during COVID-19 and faced no harm. “We are very happy that we made our contribution to what we could do during crisis time. We kept our supply chain intact, we kept food prices low and we also helped the needy community,” concluded Dr. Althaf.
