LuLu wins Qatar CSR Award

Dr Mohamed Althaf, director of LuLu Group International, has received an ‘Appreciation Award’ in the ‘Best CSR Initiative in the Retail Sector’ from Dr Saif Ali al-Hajari, CEO, Qatar CSR National Programme, during the Qatar CSR Awards ceremony held recently in Doha.The Qatar CSR National Programme is a leading academic initiative hosted by Qatar University since 2015 under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister, in partnership with ministries, governmental and non-governmental bodies, academics, multinationals and the business sector, aiming to advance corporate social responsibility awareness.The Qatar CSR Awards is a prestigious programme designed to acknowledge organisations and individuals who prioritise corporate responsibility in their business practices and operations. By embracing the principles of CSR, these entities strive to make a positive impact on their stakeholders and address significant social challenges through innovative sustainable solutions.This year, the Qatar CSR Awards were presented at a ceremony held last Thursday at the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel.The major CSR activities of LuLu Hypermarket are as follows:* Introduction of the ‘Price Freeze Policy’.* Partnership with Education Above All (EAA) Foundation for the noble cause of the ‘Educate a Child’ programme worldwide by donating $1mn every year from 2017 until 2024, constituting a total donation of $8mn.* LuLu Hypermarket donated QR 150,000 to support Qatar Cancer Society.* The ‘Charity for Cause’ partnership with Qatar Charity.* Partnership with Qatar Charity for ‘Kerala Flood Relief’.* Introduction of biodegradable shopping bags.* Introduction of ‘Bags for Life’ (reusable shopping bags).* Introduction of paper bags.* Introduction of the ‘Borrow a Bag’ system.* Reduction of sugar, fat and salt in products.* Being named the ‘Green Retail Partner of Qatar Sustainability Summit 2019’.* Supported the ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Programme’.* Participated in the ‘We Love Qatar’ Promotion Campaign.* Sponsored the annual AgriteQ event since 2018.* LuLu Group’s network membership with the Ellen Mac Arthur Foundation in the UK.* LuLu Group organises the annual ‘Made in Qatar Festival’, ‘Qatar Dates Week’, and ‘Festival of Qatari Farm Products’.* LuLu Group donated QR2mn for EAA Foundation’s Assalam Schools Project in 2021.* LuLu Group donated food baskets to support the Lebanese people.* LuLu Group organised a charity campaign in co-operation with the Qatar Red Crescent Society during Ramadan 2021.* LuLu Group organised the ‘Shop & Donate’ campaign for Qatar Cancer Society.* LuLu Group, in co-operation with Bedaya Centre, organised workshops for budding local entrepreneurs.* LuLu Group signed a collaboration agreement with Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) to become the official sponsor of AZF’s Sports and Community events during 2021 and 2022.* LuLu Hypermarket Qatar won the CSR award in the ‘Best Company in the Private Sector’ category at the 8th CSR Awards organised by the CSR Committee at Dar Al Sharq in 2018 and for the second time in 2021.* LuLu Group promoted the then Ministry of Municipality and Environment's awareness campaign on International Plastic Bag Free Day in 2021.* LuLu Group observed a ‘No Plastic Day’ during Sustainability Week 2021 at selected stores by replacing plastic bags with paper bags.* LuLu Group donated QR100,000 to Qatar Society for Rehabilitation Of Special Needs in 2021.* LuLu Group, in co-operation with the then Ministry of Municipality and Environment's Public Gardens Department, planted trees for the ‘World Environment Day 2021 One Million Trees’ initiative;* LuLu Hypermarket, Al Messila branch, was the first hypermarket in the Mena region to be awarded with the GSAS Gold rating in MENA for sustainable operations in May 2021. Subsequently, all LuLu hypermarkets in the Qatar region were certified by GSAS.* LuLu Group distributed free paper bags to customers during the ‘Qatar 2022 Sustainability Week’.* LuLu Group promoted the Ministry of Municipality's ‘Go Green Programme’ in 2022 with reusable and paper bags.* Winner of the Hamad Hospital Award Programme 2022;* Donated 100% equipment for the Social Cultural Centre for People with Special Needs gymnasium.* Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) issued a certificate of appreciation for LuLu Hypermarket and Al Khor Mall for supporting HMC’s awareness campaigns.* The LuLu Hypermarket team conducted periodical seashore cleaning and recycling activities.* Recipient of the Tarsheed Award. LuLu Group’s various sustainability initiatives in Qatar in the last two decades were recognised during the 10th anniversary of the National Programme for Conservation and Energy Efficiency (Tarsheed).* All LuLu outlets observed Earth Hour on March 25, 2023.* LuLu Hypermarket’s Al Meshaf store was the first hypermarket in the Mena region to be awarded with the Carbon Neutral Certification by the Clean Globe Consultancy, in accordance with the UK’s PAS 2060 Standard.* LuLu Group signed an agreement with Qatar Charity during Ramadan 2023 for initiating a charity drive through the ‘Shop & Donate’ campaign.* LuLu Group signed an agreement with Qatar Red Crescent Society during Ramadan 2023 for the second Khairkum Sabeq charitable initiative.* LuLu Group supported the Autism Day campaign with the ‘Shop & Donate’ initiative and lit up all LuLu buildings in blue in honour of the World Autism Awareness Day.* LuLu Group conducted Eid kit distribution in co-operation with the Ministry of Municipality.* Provided sponsorship to Qatar Chamber.* Initiated the ‘Adopt a Fruit, Adopt a Vegetable’ campaign for children.* LuLu Hypermarket distributed awards to recognise children’s creativity.* Organised the ‘LuLu Book Fair’ at LuLu Hypermarket, Barwa City branch.* LuLu Hypermarket introduced ‘lactose-free yoghurt’ from the UK.* Permanent removal of tobacco and tobacco-related products from LuLu stores.* Observation of Earth Hour.* Conducted advanced training for the workforce.* LuLu Group held CSR activities during the Covid-19 pandemic.* Installed reverse vending machines at major LuLu hypermarkets.