Director of Lulu Group International Dr. Mohamed Althaf
Doha: While most of the establishments in the retail industry, during the last couple of years, have focused on developing business strategy for expansion, Lulu Hypermarket is looking forward to setting an example by achieving another milestone in the best practices of Circular Economy.
It is through accomplishing Lulu Hypermarket’s ongoing efforts to reduce energy, water, waste and to incorporate sustainable practices into its operations.
Lulu Hypermarket, the retail division of Lulu Group International — the multidimensional and multinational conglomerate — has always been known as a trend-setter of the retail industry in the region.
Lulu’s operations cover business divisions in retail segment for the popular hypermarket brand, shopping mall destinations, food processing plants, wholesale distribution, hospitality properties, and real estate development.
“The group has proved resilient despite the challenges paused by the pandemic all along its way. Two new stores were opened in 2020 in the region amidst the pandemic, and with that, today, Lulu Qatar symbolises quality retailing with 18 stores and is immensely popular with the discerning shoppers in the region. The firm’s retail portfolio in Qatar will reach 22 stores by the last quarter of the current fiscal,” said Director of Lulu Group International Dr. Mohamed Althaf.
He said that as an ardent promoter of ‘Made-in-Qatar’ products, Lulu provides dedicated retail space and point-of-sale terminals for locally manufactured food products. “The company has started sourcing its private label products locally, ensuring uninterrupted supplies and stock availability. Lulu engages closely with local farmers through a variety of support schemes and promotional initiatives to enhance supply and demand.”
A leading retailer exercising sustainable best practices, Lulu paved the way in its commitment to sustainability by taking real and demonstrable measures to protect the environment and contribute to reducing carbon emissions and food waste.
The recipient of the ‘Sustainability Award 2019’ at the Qatar Sustainability Summit, Lulu has highlighted its efforts to promote environment-friendly practices in its operations and 18 stores in Qatar, and in the community at large. The conglomerate has strong CSR policies to bring a reduction in the increased environmental concerns.
“Lulu Group has framed its own strategy on sustainability, which is put into practice in all its retail units and supply chains worldwide. Lulu is deeply committed to reducing its impact on the environment and taking real and lasting steps to ensure this. As part of our commitment to Qatar National Vision 2030, we have been actively working to reduce carbon emissions, reduce food waste, and promote healthy eating,” said Dr. Althaf.
“As part of our ongoing efforts to reduce energy, water, waste and to incorporate sustainable practices, Lulu Group has achieved sustainable operations certification for various outlets in Qatar,” he added.
“A team under director at the helm was formed with a broader vision to reduce carbon footprint by 50% before 2030 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The project and the operations team started working on this broader dream by taking appropriate measures of studying and identifying the areas for reduction opportunities in energy, water, and waste,” said Dr. Althaf.
He noted that the knowledge gained during the study was used to identify and quantify the savings gained from both the project and the operations.
“A central repository of data was created to store and review the cost incurred for energy and water procurement and waste removal during the operations. These data helped to justify the importance of adopting new sustainable practices and quantify the value of such practices,” said Dr. Althaf.
Some of the sustainable best practices implemented by the Lulu team are GSAS- Op Certification. Lulu Hypermarket in Qatar has become one of the first retailers in MENA to achieve sustainable operations certification under the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) from the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD).
Building Management System (BMS) has been installed for building to efficiently manage the assets associated with the building ventilation and lighting.
Cloud Energy Optimization System-Honey well forge has been installed to efficiently manage and optimise the energy used during the operations.
Use of LED are being encouraged for the upcoming projects and existing projects being gradually shifted to LED from conventional lights.
Light Control System assisted with motion sensors are being considered to optimise the use of energy especially in the warehouse operations.
Sustainable best practices also include designing new buildings with energy efficiency in mind; procurement of new energy efficient chillers that optimise the use of energy and increasing the cooling efficiency; to manage the water consumption and energy submetres are being implemented in tenant spaces are among.
New projects are being encouraged to use double flush system to reduce the water usage. Outlets are being encouraged to segregate their waste for easy disposal and collection. Three compartment bins are implemented in all general areas to encourage customers in waste segregation.
Food waste digesters are being used to efficiently manage the food waste generated in the operation.
An innovative food waste solution named ‘ORCA’ which recycles food waste by breaking it down into water (mainly), and some carbs, fats and proteins which are then captured or repurposed is currently being trailed at Lulu’s Bin Mahmoud store.
