Store flies flag for Bahrain

ONE of the kingdom's leading supermarkets will be flying the flag for Bahrain and showcasing locally-produced goods as the country celebrates the National Day festival.

Lulu Hypermarket hopes patriotic shoppers will flock to the store as it lines up a host of activities and promotions that will get customers celebrating with them.

"It's a double celebration for us at Lulu," said regional director Juzer Rupawala. "We are also enjoying the success of our first quarter of business in Bahrain.

"Our customers have taken to the Lulu shopping style in a grand manner - they have come to look forward to our unique service that focuses on customer needs and delivers top quality and best prices.

"That's why, in addition to the Eid and Christmas bonanza, we have planned a very special National Day festival at which we are going to showcase the kingdom's products and get people to enjoy the patriotic spirit of the occasion.

"The theme of the celebration will be 'I love Bahrain' and the whole store will be decorated to reflect this!"

Customers going to Lulu during the National Day holidays will be greeted by staff wearing 'I love Bahrain' T-shirts and they will be given the red-and-white national flags. There will be a special promotional area in the store showcasing locally-produced goods. The joyful occasion will be celebrated with a host of fun activities such as face-painting and henna stalls as well.

The fun is set to continue till the end of the month because of the Eid and Christmas festivities.

"This is a very busy time of year for us," said retail operations manager, Jon Andriotis. "Lulu Hypermarket really comes into its own during festival times because we have so much to offer customers. We have a team of the best in-store chefs and for Eid, our confectionery counter will be working round the clock to keep up with the demand for our range of delicious Arabic sweets and festive cakes.

"There are promotions throughout the store in all our departments so customers can get the best deals for everything from gifts to party dŽcor to fashion. And of course, because we want to make the festive shopping season a time for family togetherness, we have a whole package of activities for all - clowns, face-painting and fun to keep kids happy while parents shop."

Mr Andriotis said Lulu Hypermarket was ready for Christmas shoppers too, with a designated area in the store for Christmas trees and decorations. Since festive times are so closely linked to sweets, the Lulu bakery will be full of good smells as an army of master bakers work to prepare Christmas cakes, mince pies, stollen cakes, Yule Logs and other festive specialities.

"Besides these, we also have several special offers for the season - we are importing turkeys for the traditional Christmas dinner and there will be a festive offer throughout the season on Cadbury's chocolates."

The store has also arranged for different kinds of flour from Belgium, Australia and Germany as part of a "Breads of the World" promotion during this season.

"It's going to be a celebration like no other," added Rupawala. "At Lulu, we believe in top-class customer care and that means sharing in our customers' special moments. Festivals and patriotic occasions are times to get together and enjoy - and that's what we intend to help our customers to do!"