Lulu expands in Saudi Arabia with 2 new stores

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Updated 26 December 2024
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Lulu expands in Saudi Arabia with 2 new stores

Lulu continues its ambitious expansion in Saudi Arabia, marking another milestone with the opening of its latest store at Sahara Mall in Riyadh.

This state-of-the-art outlet is designed to provide a modern and efficient shopping experience, reflecting Lulu's commitment to offering high-quality products and exceptional service.

The grand opening was attended by Ziad Al Rugaib, managing director of Al Rugaib Holding, and Shehim Mohammed, director of Lulu Saudi Hypermarkets, along with Hatim Mustansir, regional director of Lulu Hypermarkets, and other key officials.

Spanning an area of approximately 25,000 square feet, the new Lulu Express store offers a convenient and user-friendly shopping environment.

The store is equipped with four checkout counters, including self-checkout options, to provide a smooth and hassle-free experience for customers.

The layout is designed to meet the evolving needs of shoppers, with 11 diverse sections offering a wide range of products including groceries, fresh produce, meat and fish, bakery items, health and beauty products, and mobile accessories.

In addition to the well-organized layout, the store features ample parking facilities with space for over 500 vehicles, ensuring convenience for shoppers and making it easy for customers to access the store.

Located within the popular Sahara Mall, Lulu Express is strategically positioned to serve both mall visitors and the surrounding community.

During the inauguration, Shehim Mohammed emphasized Lulu’s dedication to providing a seamless and high-quality shopping experience.

“The Lulu Express Sahara Mall represents our continued commitment to expanding our reach in Saudi Arabia and offering our customers a shopping experience that combines quality, convenience, and value. This store reflects our dedication to meeting the unique needs of the local community,” he said.

The store will operate daily from 8 a.m.  to 1 a.m., providing a world-class shopping experience for customers across the region.

Lulu is offering exclusive inaugural promotions, providing customers with exceptional savings on a variety of products.

The offers further highlight Lulu’s focus on delivering high-quality products at competitive prices.

Meanwhile, Lulu is set to open its first store in the holy city of Makkah on Saturday, located at Ibrahim Al-Khalil Street.

This highly anticipated opening marks a significant milestone, as it also represents Lulu’s 250th store globally, highlighting the retailer’s remarkable growth and expansion across the Middle East and beyond.

The new Makkah store is strategically positioned to serve both the local community and the millions of pilgrims who visit the holy city each year.

With its prime location near the Grand Mosque, the store aims to provide a top-quality shopping experience for pilgrims and residents alike, making it easier for them to access essential products and services.


‘Giordano x Kung Fu Panda’ celebrates New Year

The collection embodies the essence of Kung Fu Panda’s martial arts poses.
Updated 14 January 2025
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‘Giordano x Kung Fu Panda’ celebrates New Year

Global apparel retailer Giordano has unveiled its “Giordano x Kung Fu Panda” collaboration series to celebrate the New Year.

This marks Giordano’s inaugural partnership with DreamWorks Animation’s beloved Kung Fu Panda franchise, harnessing the positive attributes associated with martial arts to present a vibrant and exclusive apparel collection for men, women, and children. The collection embodies the essence of Kung Fu Panda’s martial arts poses, communicating vital messages about respect, harmony, fairness, and self-reliance.

The collaboration also includes engaging in in-store activities and unique Kung Fu Panda-themed content on social media platforms.

Through initiatives like this, Giordano continues to enhance its global brand presence, advancing its growth strategy while celebrating cultural moments that resonate with its diverse audience.

Combining contemporary designs, high-quality materials, and comfortable silhouettes, the collection features bold prints that reflect the festive spirit.

Limited-edition items are available both in stores and online across key markets, including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.

The collection offers a variety of hoodies, T-shirts, and jackets, along with coordinated family sets that are perfect for holiday celebrations.

“As the New Year symbolizes fresh beginnings and opportunities for growth, we are delighted to collaborate with Kung Fu Panda to bring Giordano’s vision of a ‘World Without Strangers’ to life. This partnership enables us to connect with our customers in a meaningful yet enjoyable manner, while also presenting an exciting collection suitable for families,” said Ahmedullah, managing director of Giordano Saudi Arabia. “At Giordano, our objective is to seamlessly integrate creativity, quality, and inclusivity to craft memorable experiences for our shoppers.”

Colin Currie, CEO of Giordano International, added: “By enhancing our global retail operations, creating engaging store narratives, and improving product assortment availability, we have successfully achieved positive sales growth and expanded our customer base. This encouraging performance has established a solid foundation for our five-year strategic plan ‘Beyond Boundaries.’”

This collaboration marks a pivotal milestone in Giordano’s endeavor to blend style with purposeful storytelling, providing customers with an opportunity to embrace the New Year with flair.


Invest into Saudi Real Estate by downloading the Stake app

Updated 14 January 2025
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Invest into Saudi Real Estate by downloading the Stake app

 

Stake, a leading global digital real estate investment platform in the Middle East and North Africa region, is revolutionizing Saudi Arabia’s real estate market by opening its doors to international investors. Following its official launch in December, Stake has become the first platform regulated by the Capital Market Authority to enable global participation in Shariah-compliant Saudi real estate investment opportunities. This milestone marks a pivotal shift in the Kingdom’s real estate sector, aligning with Vision 2030 and positioning Saudi Arabia as a global investment hub.

Stake’s inaugural investment opportunity in the Kingdom has already attracted more than 3,500 investors from over 100 nationalities and 70+ countries, a testament to the platform’s international appeal and accessibility. 

Saudi Arabia remains the dominant country, with 46.48 percent of investors residing in the Kingdom, reflecting a strong local engagement and appetite for their home country. Overseas, there’s been a significant participation from neighboring countries such as the UAE (17.57 percent) followed by Kuwait (8.47 percent), and key international markets such as the UK (4.18 percent), and US and Canada (2.43 percent).

Along with expansive reach across these countries, the platform has attracted a wide range of nationalities. Saudi Arabia holds the most prominent share (30.95 percent), followed by Pakistan (8.39 percent), closely followed by India (7.65 percent), and Kuwait (7.48 percent). South Asian markets have a high affinity to the GCC and are eager to participate in the Saudi growth story, so the appetite Stake is witnessing comes as no surprise. 

“Saudi Arabia’s booming economy, coupled with Vision 2030’s focus on economic diversification and innovation, presents a once in a lifetime opportunity for investors around the world,” said Hanouf bin Saeed, general manager of Stake Saudi. “By bridging international capital with high-growth Saudi real estate investment opportunities, we are not just democratizing property investing — we are helping reshape the Kingdom’s global economic narrative.”

Stake’s innovative platform offers investors seamless access to curated, Shariah-compliant real estate opportunities starting from as little as SR500 ($133). Through partnerships with leading firms like Mulkia Investment Company and developers such as Al-Rajhi Seventh, Stake is building a robust pipeline of attractive residential and commercial assets.

Since its founding in 2021, Stake has built an international community of over 900,000 users spanning 206 nationalities. Backed by top-tier investors such as Aramco’s Wa’ed Ventures, Mubadala Investment Company, and Al-Jomaih Holding, Stake is poised to expand its impact in Saudi Arabia and beyond.


Unlocked Sport announces strategic entry into Saudi market

Updated 13 January 2025
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Unlocked Sport announces strategic entry into Saudi market

Unlocked Sport, an Australian business with a presence in the US and Latin American markets, has announced its entry into the Saudi sports market. This move aligns with the Kingdom’s commitment to impactful commercial and investment deals that foster community development, highlighting Unlocked Sport’s dedication to leveraging sports for economic and social progress.

The global sports market is projected to reach an impressive $117.90 billion in 2025, showcasing the immense potential sports can offer economies worldwide. Unlocked Sport’s unique sports ecosystem concierge approach helps stakeholders, sports entities, businesses, and investors capitalize on the future of major sporting events globally and in Saudi Arabia over the next decade and beyond. This approach ensures all parties can maximize their potential and contribute to a thriving sports ecosystem. 

The King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, set to be a venue for the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Unlocked Sport is committed to unlocking the full potential of the Saudi sports sector. (Supplied)

Jason Turnbull, chairman and CEO of Unlocked Sport, said: “At Unlocked Sport, we pride ourselves on being your ‘Sports Ecosystem Concierge,’ facilitating deeper connections between sports stakeholders and the communities they serve. Our mission is to transform ideas into scalable and impactful assets, providing comprehensive support that includes opportunity promotion, project management, and business concierge services.”

According to Turnbull, the development model and attraction strategy that Saudi Arabia is undertaking offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to globally showcase how sports can be a major driver of national and economic development. “It is exciting to see this initiative engage all generations around a unifying vision, demonstrating the power of sports to bring about positive change,” he said.

Atif Karim, COO and head of sports business at Unlocked Sport, said: “Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 presents an unparalleled operational opportunity. The Kingdom’s ambitious plans for economic diversification and community development through sports align perfectly with our mission to create impactful and sustainable sports ecosystems. We are excited to be part of this transformative journey.”

Unlocked Sport is committed to working closely with Saudi Arabian stakeholders to unlock the full potential of the sports sector, contributing to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and beyond.


Najm inks deal with Theeb for vehicle repair services

Updated 13 January 2025
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Najm inks deal with Theeb for vehicle repair services

Najm for Insurance Services has signed an MoU with Theeb Rent a Car Company to enhance joint cooperation and improve vehicle rental and repair services. This collaboration will promote traffic safety and protect road users as well as vehicle renters.

The signing ceremony took place on Jan. 1 at the headquarters of Najm in Riyadh. The MoU was signed by Mohammed Yahya Al-Shehri, CEO of Najm, and Naif Mohammed Ahmad Al-Theeb, CEO of Theeb Rent a Car, in the presence of senior leaders from both companies.

The MoU outlines several key areas of cooperation, including vehicle repair and maintenance services through Najm’s recently launched Najm Repair Network, insurance claims management, and insurance record management, for Theeb’s vehicle fleet. Additionally, Najm will provide traffic accident management services. The MoU is also exploring joint business opportunities in vehicle services, as well as knowledge-sharing and training.

Al-Shehri said: “At Najm, we are committed to forming partnerships that extend the benefits of our innovative services and empower the insurance sector while enhancing safety on Saudi roads. For instance, the Najm Repair Network provides vehicle owners with access to high-quality repair services at centers approved by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization, which are available throughout the Kingdom.”

He added: “This collaboration aligns with Najm’s strategy to innovate solutions that improve operational efficiency and enhance the quality of life and safety in our society, in line with the goals of Vision 2030. Through the Najm Repair Network, we deliver numerous benefits, including an improved customer experience after accidents, repair services for third-party insurance customers, and a guaranteed, high-quality repair process. These services not only enhance safety and reduce fraud but also manage insurance costs and increase investment in the vehicle repair sector.”

Meanwhile, CEO Al-Theeb said: “We are proud of the advancements in Najm’s services and capabilities, and we are honored to contribute to this progress. This partnership will have a direct and positive impact on enhancing traffic safety across the Kingdom.”


TDF initiatives under spotlight at Saudi Tourism Forum 2025

Updated 13 January 2025
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TDF initiatives under spotlight at Saudi Tourism Forum 2025

The Tourism Development Fund, the national enabler of Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector, successfully concluded its role as an official partner of this year’s Saudi Tourism Forum, held between Jan. 7-9 in Riyadh. The high-profile event brought together key players from the global and local tourism industries, including investors, sector leaders, and government representatives.

TDF Chief Executive Qusai Al-Fakhri said: “Our collaboration with the Saudi Tourism Forum has opened valuable channels for engagement with investors and partners, showcasing the vast potential of Saudi Arabia’s diverse tourism destinations. By leveraging our financial and non-financial solutions, we are committed to fostering high-impact projects that enhance tourism infrastructure, empower private-sector growth, and drive economic diversification in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.”

Throughout the forum, the TDF highlighted several strategic initiatives designed to accelerate investment in tourism hotspots across the Kingdom. The fund showcased its comprehensive financing solutions and strategic partnerships driving sustainable tourism development and aligning with the Kingdom’s National Tourism Strategy.

Adding to its dynamic presence, TDF spokesperson Khaled Al-Sharif took part in a panel discussion titled “Discover Investment Opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s Emerging Destinations: Unlocking the Potential of the Kingdom’s Growing Tourism Markets.” During the session, he underscored TDF’s commitment to supporting investments in promising regions by offering tailored, flexible financial solutions and fostering robust public-private partnerships to promote long-term tourism growth.

The TDF’s partnership with the Saudi Tourism Forum shows its unwavering dedication to developing world-class tourism destinations and unlocking the full potential of Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector. 

Moving forward, the TDF remains focused on collaborating with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors to attract investments, nurture groundbreaking projects, and solidify the Kingdom’s status as a leading global tourism hub.