The expansion involves opening seven shopping malls and hypermarkets in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, which will be completed by the end of 2010.
The group recently opened Lulu Express Supermarket and Mazyad Mall in Mohammed Bbin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi, which, according to market research consultancy GRC, has 32% market share in GCC region’s organized grocery retail sector.
Yusuffali MA, managing director of EMKE Group, who is also on the board of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said in an interview with Khaleej Times that they are also looking for new locations to expand the Lulu Express concept, especially in upcoming residential suburbs.
Yusuffali adds that the work on the Central Fish and Vegetable Market, a shopping mall project, is 45% complete. Developed in association with Mubadala Development Company, the market includes about 200 fish, meat and vegetables shops on the ground floor, while the upper floors will house more than 200 branded stores and boutiques. Located on the new airport road, the shopping center will have easy access and parking facility for more than 3,000 cars.
The group is also renovating and expanding the Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre and Gold Souk in the city center to add another 300,000 square feet of retail space. The facility will house a new hypermarket, food courts, restaurants, family entertainment centers and branded stores.
Hypermarkets and shopping malls in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, RAK, Doha, Al Khobar, Jeddah, Riyadh, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman will also reach completion in 2009.
The group operates Khalidiya Mall, Al Wahda Mall, Al Raha Mall and Madinat Zayed Shopping Center.
