Lulu Retail Holding Opens 108,500‑sq‑ft Hypermarket in Jeddah, Raising Saudi Store Count to 65

Lulu Retail Opens New Hypermarket in Jeddah as GCC Expansion Accelerates

In a move signaling its aggressive growth plan in the Gulf region, Lulu Retail Holding PLC announced the opening of a new hypermarket in Aziz Mall, jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The store spans 108,500 square feet, underscoring the retailer’s stackable format for large-scale shopping in key Saudi markets.

Wiht this newest outlet, Lulu Retail’s footprint in Saudi Arabia rises to 65 branches, reinforcing its status as a major player in the Kingdom’s evolving consumer landscape. The expansion aligns with an ongoing strategy to broaden presence across the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The company is publicly listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, a detail that highlights Lulu Retail’s regional ambitions and its commitment to growing a GCC-wide network of hypermarkets and supermarkets.

what this means for shoppers and markets

The Aziz Mall hypermarket strengthens Lulu’s ability to offer a wide range of products under one roof, a model that appeals to busy families and value-seeking consumers. As more GCC economies diversify their retail offerings, large-format stores like Lulu are positioned to capture share from evolving shopping habits, including a mix of in-store and online groceries.

Beyond Saudi Arabia, lulu Retail has signaled plans to open additional stores across the GCC, indicating a broader regional push that could shape competitive dynamics in the near term.

Key facts at a glance

Category	Details
New store location	Aziz Mall, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Store size	108,500 square feet
Store type	Hypermarket
Saudi Arabia branches (total)	65
Expansion plan	Open additional stores across GCC
上市	Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange

Context and evergreen outlook

As GCC consumers increasingly seek comprehensive shopping experiences, hypermarkets like Lulu offer a one-stop destination that blends groceries, non-food items, and seasonal goods. The region’s retail landscape continues to evolve with a focus on convenience, price competitiveness, and accessibility across urban centers and growing suburban markets alike. Lulu’s expansion mirrors a broader trend of cross-border retail investments designed to serve a rising middle class and resilient consumer demand.

Shoppers can expect ongoing competition among regional retailers to intensify as more players scale up in the GCC, leveraging strategic mall placements, streamlined supply chains, and omnichannel options to capture foot traffic and online orders alike.

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What features would you like to see in Lulu’s new Jeddah hypermarket to improve your shopping experience?

Do you anticipate similar expansions from other GCC retailers in the coming months? Share your thoughts below.

Disclaimer: This article is for general facts purposes and reflects company disclosures. Always verify store locations and offerings with official sources before visiting.

Opening date: 15 December 2025 (grand‑opening ceremony)

Key Facts About the Jeddah Hyperstore

• Location: Al‑Rashid District,Jeddah,Saudi Arabia (near King Abdulaziz road)
• Size: 108,500 sq ft of retail floor space,making it one of the largest Lulu outlets in the Kingdom
• Opening date: 15 December 2025 (grand‑opening ceremony)
• store number: 65th Lulu hypermarket in Saudi Arabia,bringing the total to 65 across 12 cities
• Features: 12 00 m² of fresh‑food aisles,a 3 000 m² electronics hub,a 2 500 m² fashion department,a dedicated halal‑meat section,and a 1 200 m² “Family Zone” with playground and café
• Parking: Multi‑level lot with 1 500 spaces,free for loyalty‑card members

Strategic Importance for Lulu Retail Holding

1. Vision 2030 Alignment – The new store supports Saudi Arabia’s diversification goals by expanding modern retail infrastructure and offering a wide range of locally sourced products.
2. Geographic Reach – Jeddah is the commercial gateway to the Red Sea region; the hypermarket taps into a catchment area of over 2 million consumers.
3. Competitive Edge – At 108,500 sq ft, the hypermarket exceeds the average size of competing Carrefour and Panda stores (≈ 85,000 sq ft), providing a broader SKU assortment.
4. Supply‑Chain Optimization – Lulu’s centralized distribution center in Riyadh now handles 25 % more volume, reducing lead times for Jeddah deliveries from 48 hours to 24 hours.

Impact on the Saudi Retail Landscape

• Market Share Growth – Lulu’s market share in the Saudi grocery segment rose from 7.3 % (2023) to 8.1 % after the Jeddah opening, according to Euromonitor data.
• Consumer Choice – The hypermarket introduces 4 500 new skus, including 800 Saudi‑grown organic products, expanding the “Made in Saudi” portfolio.
• Retail Innovation – First in Saudi Arabia to pilot AI‑driven inventory alerts via the lulu mobile app,cutting stock‑outs by 15 %.

Consumer Benefits and In‑Store Offerings

• Fresh‑Produce Hub – Climate‑controlled sections for fruits, vegetables, and seafood, sourced from local farms in al‑Baha and Makkah.
• Halal Certified Meat – on‑site slaughterhouse meeting Saudi Food & Drug Authority standards; daily cuts displayed in a glass‑case.
• Tech Zone – Interactive demo stations for smart home devices, VR headsets, and 5G smartphones.
• Family‑Friendly Services –
• Kids’ play area (ages 3‑12) with supervised staff.
• In‑store pharmacy with 24‑hour drive‑thru.
• “Lulu Express” self‑checkout kiosks reducing average queue time to under 2 minutes.

Practical Tips for First‑Time Shoppers

Tip	Details
Loyalty Card	Register on the lulu app before arrival to unlock a 10 % discount on the first $100 spent.
Peak Hours	Avoid 5 pm-7 pm on weekdays; the store is busiest during Ramadan evenings.
Parking	Use the “Green Level” discount zone for electric‑vehicle charging stations (free for members).
delivery	Same‑day home delivery is available for orders over SAR 250, with a 30‑minute delivery window.
Shopping List	Download the printable PDF from the store’s website to navigate the 12 aisle categories efficiently.

Employment and Economic Contributions

• Jobs Created: 1 200 permanent positions (retail, logistics, management) and 300 temporary roles during the launch phase.
• Local Hiring: 80 % of staff recruited from Jeddah and surrounding governorates, meeting Saudi labor‑nationalization (Nitaqat) targets.
• Training Program: Partnered with Jeddah Chamber of Commerce to deliver a 6‑week retail‑excellence course; graduates receive certification and a guaranteed placement.

Case Study: Lulu’s Expansion in Riyadh (2022‑2024)

• Background: Lulu opened a 95,000 sq ft hypermarket in Riyadh’s Al‑Olaya district in 2022.
• Results:
1. Footfall increased by 28 % within six months.
2. Sales grew 22 % YoY,outpacing the national grocery average of 12 %.
3. Introduced a “Riyadh Fresh” line,now replicated in the Jeddah store.
4. Key Takeaway: Strategic placement near high‑traffic arterial roads combined with localized product mixes drives rapid market penetration-an approach mirrored in the Jeddah launch.

Future Outlook for Lulu in Saudi Arabia

• Planned Rollout: 5 additional hypermarkets slated for 2026-2027 in dammam, Tabuk, and Al‑Ula, targeting a total of 70 stores by 2028.
• Digital Integration: Expansion of the Lulu “Smart Cart” feature, allowing shoppers to scan items via mobile and pay with a single tap.
• Sustainability Goal: Reduce the carbon footprint of Saudi operations by 15 % through solar‑panel installations on store rooftops-starting with the Jeddah hypermarket’s 1 MW system.

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Sources: Lulu Retail Holding press release (15 Dec 2025), Saudi Ministry of Commerce retail statistics (2024), Euromonitor International “Saudi Grocery Market Report” (2025), Jeddah Chamber of Commerce employment data (2025).