• An employee adds price tags to merchandise at a hypermarket run entirely by a team of women, in the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah. AFP
    An employee adds price tags to merchandise at a hypermarket run entirely by a team of women, in the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah. AFP
  • Retail group Lulu opened its first store fully staffed by women in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. AFP
    Retail group Lulu opened its first store fully staffed by women in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. AFP
  • The shop near King Abdul Aziz University has a staff of 103 Saudi women. AFP
    The shop near King Abdul Aziz University has a staff of 103 Saudi women. AFP
  • The hypermarket covers an area of about 3,500 square metres. AFP
    The hypermarket covers an area of about 3,500 square metres. AFP
  • The store run by women is the 20th branch of the Lulu Group in the kingdom. AFP
    The store run by women is the 20th branch of the Lulu Group in the kingdom. AFP
  • In line with Covid-19 safety and protocols, the store only permits entry with those who have downloaded the Tawakkalna app. AFP
    In line with Covid-19 safety and protocols, the store only permits entry with those who have downloaded the Tawakkalna app. AFP
  • The Lulu Group currently employs 3,000 Saudis, including 800 women. AFP
    The Lulu Group currently employs 3,000 Saudis, including 800 women. AFP
  • The retailer has opened more than 200 across the Gulf since 2000. AFP
    The retailer has opened more than 200 across the Gulf since 2000. AFP
  • The new branch focuses primarily on organic products with a diverse collection of healthy food options, reports say. AFP
    The new branch focuses primarily on organic products with a diverse collection of healthy food options, reports say. AFP
  • An employee serves a customer at the hypermarket. AFP
    An employee serves a customer at the hypermarket. AFP
  • The hypermarket is part of efforts to empower more Saudi women in the workforce, LuLu officials say. AFP
    The hypermarket is part of efforts to empower more Saudi women in the workforce, LuLu officials say. AFP

The National

Lulu opens first Saudi Arabia store fully staffed by women - in pictures

Group employs 3,000 Saudis including 800 women

Mariam Nihal

February 22, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Lulu Hypermarket has opened its first store fully staffed by women in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The 37,000 square-foot express shop near King Abdul Aziz University has a staff of 103 Saudi women.

It is the 20th branch of Lulu Group in the kingdom, one of over 200 stores the company has set up across the Gulf since 2000.

The team is led by Maha Mohammed Alqarni, who is passionate about changing stereotypes around women in the workplace.

Over 100 women work at the new Lulu Express store in Jeddah. Courtesy: Lulu
Over 100 women work at the new Lulu Express store in Jeddah. Courtesy: Lulu

"I am very proud to be the first woman to be the general manager leading a shop of Saudi women," she said, adding that she wanted to take the opportunity to change the way women are perceived and empower them by "taking it to the next level".

Lulu Group currently employs 3,000 Saudis, including 800 women.

"This branch focuses primarily on organic products with a diverse collection of healthy food options," one of the staff told The National.

During the launch last week, Shehim Mohammed, director of Lulu Hypermarkets in Saudi Arabia, said it was the first store led by an all-female team, from the general manager to cashiers.

“It signifies our effort to empower more Saudi women in the workforce,” Mr Mohammed said.

“We are committed to providing world-class shopping and we shall continue meeting the lifestyle needs of our clientele base,” he said.

In line with Covid-19 safety and protocols, the store only permits entry with those who have downloaded the Tawakkalna app.

Saudi Arabia