LuLu Group launches ‘Explore Australia 2025’ festival

Leading regional retailer LuLu Group has launched ‘Explore Australia’, in cooperation with Austrade, the commercial division of the Australian embassy, offering a wide range of products at discounted prices.

Australian ambassador Shane Flanagan and his wife jointly inaugurated the festival at LuLu Hypermarket, Giardino, The Pearl Qatar. The festival will run until February 12 in all LuLu Hypermarket outlets in the region.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by various officials from Australia, LuLu Group International regional director Shaijan M O, regional manager Shanavas Padiyath, officials from the Australian embassy, and a host of other dignitaries from various sectors.

Flanagan said: “It gives me great pleasure to visit the beautiful LuLu store here in the Pearl to launch Australia Week. I am so pleased today to be accompanied by the Trade Investment Commissioners from Australia, from the Australian states of Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales.

“And I am also pleased that I’m accompanied today by our Agriculture Counsellor for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. It is a real reflection of our commitment – of Australia’s commitment – to meet Qatar’s food security interests as well as to our commitment to the whole region. And this is a terrific initiative, I think, by LuLu to host these weeks.”

The ambassador noted that the festival is focused on Australia, which, he stressed, provides “high-quality meat and produce in all respects.” Not only is Australia a longstanding supporter of Qatar’s food security, but Flanagan emphasised that the country is serious in its commitment to Halal certification.

“We’re leading the way in an organic and inclusive frame. And I would also like to take this opportunity to commend LuLu. It’s been very forward-looking in the way that it has sourced Australian products for its network of stores,” he also said.

The ambassador also congratulated LuLu on its successful IPO in 2024, saying: “We’re confident that it’s going to transform retailing in Qatar, in the Gulf region, and beyond. But as you can see there is a wealth of terrific Australian products available.

“And I’d like to encourage as many people as possible to visit LuLu stores. I look forward to all of this week to discover the amazing flavours of Australia. And I’m so pleased to declare LuLu’s Australia Week officially open.”

Gonul Serbest, Commissioner for Victoria to Europe, Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa said: “Victoria is very proud to be the home of LuLu in Australia for their purchasing and distribution centre. Again, Victoria is very proud and very much thanks you for LuLu’s investment in Victoria. We are a small state, 3% of Australia’s landmass, but the largest exporter of food produce, and so we’re very pleased and honoured to be able to walk through your shelves today and see some of the Victorian products.”

Todd Miller, Trade and Investment Officer, Australia Trade and Investment Office, said: “We’re proud to see that companies like LuLu are leaning in and opening the distribution centre and the buying centre in Melbourne, I think it’s been a big part of it...but the pleasing thing here at LuLu is the broader piece of Australian packaged products and organic products and all of those kind of functional foods growth. And so working with the likes of LuLu and some of the other big importer distributors in making sure that that pathway of supply chain is secure.”

Shaijan said, “Australian products have been increasing significantly at LuLu outlets during the last four years due to growing local demand. We had started importing some perishable and other types of products. Now we have almost all ranges of Australian products, which have become an integral part of LuLu’s offerings.

“We believe that this initiative will play a proactive role in ensuring food security in Qatar. Historically, the GCC market depended very heavily on Australia for perishable, protein-rich and other products.”

The festival showcases the major product lines that have been directly being imported from Australia regularly. They include fresh meat, organic food, muesli bars, plant-based milk, sauce, cake mix, honey, grocery, and fresh fruits and vegetables, among others.

Recent reports state that there has been a considerable increase in the export of livestock, fresh food, processed food products and vegetables from Australia to Qatar. Although Australian products have had a presence in LuLu stores for a long time, however, the present campaign endeavours to promote a wide range of Australian products and to augment sales by increasing the extent of imports. Halal-certified food is also of growing importance to trade between Qatar and Australia.

During the launching of the festival, the live musical performance of children from United School International entertained guests and added vibrancy to the ceremony. Chef Ali’s culinary live cooking sessions were also organised during the event and special counters were set for sampling.