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STORE wars on the island took a new twist with the launch of Bahrain's biggest hypermarket which attracted hundreds of shoppers when it opened its doors.
In a strategic move to tackle existing and future competition and build on its 'quality goods at low prices strategy', Lulu Hypermarket opened its second store in the kingdom off Um Al Nassan Avenue, opposite East Riffa Boys' Secondary School.
The 300,000 sq ft outlet is the 70th in EMKE group's retail chain and apart from the regular supermarket and department store sections also boasts a range of specialist enclaves such as money exchange, jewellers, pharmacy, computer store, coffee shops, mobile phones and watch counters.
Managing director MA Yusuffali said: "We believe in going to the people. Opening our latest outlet will help people drive less and thus save on fuel and driving stress.
"We want to fulfil every need of the customer by bringing every convenience under one roof. It's not just about size - we have ensured that shoppers get the best of everything whether it's products, price, quality or convenience.
"We have taken care of every requirement in the planning including ample car parking and a dedicated children's play area so that the famous Lulu family atmosphere is enhanced and the whole family can enjoy the shopping experience."
The three-level hypermarket has 50 check-out counters as well as check-out islands. It can at any time handle more than 18,000 customers. Regional director Juzer Rupawala said: "We have put in place the kingdom's largest in-store seafood department where fresh fish, frozen and chilled catch as well as canned fish will be sold.
"Our fruit and vegetable section is also the largest in the kingdom for an in-store facility and one of the most extensive. This will be complemented by a nine-metre salad bar, where customers can serve themselves vegetables and fruit salads as well as all-time meat favourites throughout the day. There is also a dedicated juice bar serving freshly-squeezed orange and pineapple juice."
For Ramadan, the store has 23 varieties of dates on offer. It is also planning several special Ramadan promotions on staple favourites and a fashion bonanza for the festive season.
A multi-cuisine food court that will feature well known outlets such as Burger King, Chili's, Veneto, London Dairy and Romano's Macaroni & Grill is also set to open soon.
Mr Rupawala added: "One section that is sure to be a great hit with shoppers is the hot food section where ready-prepared food will be sold. It includes everything from pizza to snacks, kebabs, sandwiches, biryani and breads and cakes.
"Equipped with special ovens for each section - there is a huge pizza oven, an Arabic oven for Arabic breads - this area is sure to be a big draw.
"The bakery section has its own specialist team and ovens that will offer freshly baked goodies from specialty breads and cakes to doughnuts, muffins and savoury puffs and pastries."
Residents of Riffa, the Ijaz family, arrived as soon as the store opened last Wednesday.
An employee with Ernst & Young at Seef, Faisal Ijaz said: "We generally shop at Manama in GŽant or Lulu. We came to see if there were any discounts on the first day. There is a very good variety available in this store but I think prices were slightly higher. If prices become competitive we will certainly be coming to this store more often."
Riffa housewife Ebt Ibtissam came to shop with her children Rawan and Khadija. Enjoying the Lulu experience on the first day, she said: "The place is very big. Vegetables are fresh and I can also buy books and stationery items."
Fashion too has a dedicated area with the latest high-street trends picked out in a wide range of clothing, accessories and footwear for all age groups. Customers can even get clothes altered by an in-house tailoring service.
Ranked as one of the top 30 grocery retailers by UK based retail analysts, Planet Retail Ltd, Lulu is part of the UAE-based EMKE Group.
The group is planning another outlet in A'Ali that is set to open in a year and a half and is also planning to introduce bio-degradable plastic bags in all its outlets by November this year.
