LULU GROUP, the hypermarket and retail major in the Middle East, Africa and India, has launched its operations in the UK with the inauguration of a state-of-the-art logistics and packaging centre under the Y International name.

Birmingham Airport chief executive Paul Kehoe, members of Birmingham city council, representatives from the business community, LuLu Group managing director Yusuffali MA, executive director Ashraf Ali MA, Y International director Althaf MM and operations director Tony Perks were present.

With an initial investment of £20 million ($30.9 million), the new facility will procure and export British products to LuLu’s more than 100 retail stores spread across the Gulf countries. 

Presently, the group has a great deal of import business from the UK.

“We are delighted to set up Y International in Birmingham. I am sure we will be able to add more value to the various related businesses operating here,” said Yusuffali.”

Yusuffali also said that negotiations were in the final stages to acquire a British mineral water unit.

LuLu Group is owned by Yusuffali, a non-resident Indian businessman, who is based in the UAE.