‘Dates Festival’ to highlight growing tradition

By Rizwan Khatik - Tue Aug 02, 5:54 am

RIYADH: Lulu is launching a colorful “Dates Festival” on Wednesday at its major stores in Riyadh and Alkhobar. The event coincides with the holy month of Ramadan.

More than 100 varieties of dates from different parts of the Middle East will be displayed at the Lulu outlets in the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia is the second largest producer of dates in the world.
Around 300 varieties of dates in different tastes and textures are grown mainly in places such as Al-Qaseem, Al-Kharj, Al-Hasa and Madinah.

“The main aim of the festival is to create an awareness among our valued customers on the importance of this fruit, its nutritional values and about date products,” Shehim Mohammed Unni, regional director of Lulu Central Region in Riyadh, said .

“The festival will also highlight the rich Islamic and Arabian traditions where dates was part of people’s food,” Abdul Basheer, regional director of Lulu in the Eastern Province, said.

“Concurrently with dates festival, Lulu will also conduct a ‘dream drive’ promotion for its customers to win five Mercedes Benz cars and to get free gift vouchers for purchases through visa card,” V. K. Abdul Salim, regional manager, Lulu Riyadh, noted.

Besides a wide range of fresh dates (Ruthab), other varieties such as Razis, Muthawa, Safari, Salaj, Rotana, Sagi, Mabroom and Sukari will also be on shelves.

Lulu’s hot food section will exhibit products made from different kinds of dates.

Lulu’s professional chefs will also make an array of dishes and refreshing juices made from dates.
Its bakery department will exhibit different varieties of backlawas, dates rolls, dates mammouls and dates muffins.

The Lulu Hypermarket is the most popular retail chain in the Middle East, operated by Abu Dhabi-based Lulu Hypermarket group.
With annual turnover of $4.1 billion, Lulu is ranked as one of the biggest Indian-owned group in the Middle East.

The Lulu employees profile comprises a multi-national community of more than 26,300 people from more than 29 countries.
The Lulu hypermarket, with more than 240,000 sq ft shopping space, is the main anchor store and it is expected to become a major player in Saudi Arabia’s retail sector too.
The group is already working on new projects in other parts of the Kingdom.