Lulu's Al Balad store gives the city's historical district a new address for shopping

Lulu Hypermarket added speed and convenience to its customers by opening an Express Store – the 31st outlet in Saudi Arabia - in the Al Balad district of Jeddah. The single-level compact store was inaugurated by Chief Guest Mr. Ahmed Abdel-Hamid Al-Zahrani, Mayor of Al Balad, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Chief Guest was welcomed by Mr. Shehim Muhammed, Director - Lulu Hypermarkets, Saudi Arabia and senior management members. Founded in the 7th Century, Al Balad has historically served as the centre of Jeddah. Al Balad was listed to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014.

Spread over 35,000 square feet, the Xpresss outlet brings shoppers the ease and convenience of Lulu’s signature product range as well as the promise of quality & affordability in a setting where space has been optimally utilised. It also has excellent parking facilities with 275 car spaces and will primarily target those who love to shop in smaller quantities nearer to their home or office to avoid traffic and larger, crowded stores, while still enjoying the price advantage of big format stores. The store has 13 checkout counters for customers to complete the speedy shopping circle.

Fresh fruits & vegetables, grocery, meat & poultry, and fresh & frozen food sections are the main focus of the store with great emphasis on quick service. New features include an emphasis on contemporary food preferences with a wide range of organic and ‘free from’ food ingredients, fresh-made in-store food such as world cuisine items, fresh-baked goodies, juices, salads, sushi, fish grill, premium fresh meat cuts and seafood and healthy diet foods. The modern and easy layout includes a section for pet foods, House Hold goods and an expansive imported product range and a dedicated section for food items ‘Proudly Grown in KSA’.

In addition, there are also the popular Lulu sections such as BLSH beauty products and Lulu Connect, the electronics and digital products hub. Al Balad, also known as the "Gate to Mecca," is of utmost importance to Hajj and Umra pilgrims; as a result, the Lulu Xpress in the city has designated retail areas for them.

Mr. Shehim Muhammed, Director - Lulu Hypermarkets, Saudi Arabia said that the opening of the Lulu Express represented the Group’s flexible expansion policy and showed how closely the Group was supporting the Kingdom’s urban planning and new developments. Lulu Saudi is incredibly delighted to add a store in the historic city as well as to make a better shopping experience accessible to the citizens and visitors.

“Today, many customers are looking for a quicker and more concentrated shopping format such as the “Lulu Express”. However, they also want the key deliverables of our brand, which is quality, affordability, and great customer service. We aim to combine these promises with our “Lulu Express”,” he said,. “The Lulu Express store format will complement the hypermarket store expansion in the years ahead.” There will be plenty of special deals and promotions until 30th May 2023 to celebrate the opening.

Mr. Rafeek Mohammed Ali, Regional Director - Lulu Western Province was also present on the occasion