Kottayam: The Lulu Mini Mall was inaugurated at 11.30 am in Kottayam on Saturday. Minister for Ports and Cooperation and Minister for Devaswoms VN Vasavan inaugurated the event. He said the event was a moment of pride and joy for Kottayam and expressed his gratitude to Lulu Group Chairman MA Yusuff Ali, calling him a "business emperor" India gifted the world.

Malayala Manorama Chief Editor Mammen Mathew, MPs Jose K Mani, Francis George and Harris Beeran, former Union Minister V Muraleedharan, and CPI District Secretary Adv VB Binu were special invitees to the inaugural ceremony. Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan MLA, Lulu Group Chairman MA Yusuff Ali, Executive Director MA Ashraf Ali, Kottayam Municipality Chairperson Bincy Sebastian, Ward Councillor Sheena Binu, and Lulu Group India Director and CEO MA Nishad also attended the event. The mall opened to the public at 4 pm.

“This holiday season, Lulu Group is proud to present Kottayam with a special Christmas and New Year gift – a state-of-the-art shopping experience tailored to the town’s unique needs. Known as the land of letters and rubber, Kottayam has a long history of welcoming quality services. As more residents become accustomed to international standards through their experiences abroad, Lulu aims to replicate and provide a world-class shopping environment right here,” Yusuff Ali said.

“Traditionally, malls and premium shopping facilities have been concentrated in major metropolitan cities. However, by bringing Lulu to smaller towns like Kottayam, we can reach a broader audience and ensure that more communities benefit from our services. We firmly believe the people of Kottayam will embrace this new addition,” he added.

'Kerala shouldn't become haven for senior citizens'
Yusuff Ali called for proactive measures to prevent Kerala from becoming a haven for senior citizens. “Youngsters are moving abroad. To reverse this trend, new projects must be introduced in Kerala. Outdated laws should be replaced with progressive ones, and innovative commercial ventures should be encouraged,” he said.

Yusuff Ali also criticised the actions of certain YouTubers, accusing them of hindering progress. “These YouTubers aim to destroy rather than build. Some vloggers try to push us away, and sadly, some believe them. Such actions contribute to the nation’s decline instead of fostering its growth,” he remarked.

Mammen Mathew, Chief Editor of Malayala Manorama, attributed the Lulu Group's remarkable growth to Yusuff Ali's innate goodness and compassion. He shared a personal memory: "During a reception for the King of Bahrain at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Yusuff Ali introduced me to the King, spoke about me and Manorama, and suggested inviting him to Kerala. The King, in turn, commended the charitable initiatives of the Lulu Group in Bahrain, led by Yusuff Ali. This spirit of generosity and goodwill is the cornerstone of Yusuff Ali’s success.”

He also highlighted the several historic milestones achieved by Yusuff Ali. “He has become one of the major shareholders of the East India Company, which once ruled India, and even owns the headquarters of Scotland Yard in his name,” Mammen Mathew pointed out.

Lulu Group Executive Director MA Ashraff Ali expressed optimism about the mall's impact on Kottayam’s development. “It will generate significant employment opportunities and serve as a platform for families and friends to create cherished moments,” he said.

Lulu Group has 276 Super/Hypermarkets in various countries outside India and 12 Super/Hypermarkets in India, including 7 in Kerala.

Additionally, Lulu operates smaller-format fresh markets called Lulu Daily. New Lulu Daily outlets will soon open in Kottiyam (Kollam), Thrissur, and Bengaluru (Karnataka). Hypermarkets in Perinthalmanna and Tirur (both in Malappuram) are slated to open next year.

Lulu Mini Mall in Kottayam
The Lulu Mini Mall is located on MC Road in Manipuzha, Kottayam. This two-storey facility is designed to offer a comprehensive shopping and leisure experience:

Ground Floor: A hypermarket spanning 2.5 lakh square feet, operational from 9 am to 11 pm daily.

Upper Floor:

• Lulu Fashion: Features a wide selection of clothing from various brands.
• Blush and Eye Express: Lulu’s fragrance section and fashion and eyewear segment.
• Food Court: Seating capacity for approximately 450 people.
• Funtura: An entertainment zone designed for children.
• The mall also boasts a multi-level parking facility that accommodates around 1,000 vehicles, with additional parking grounds nearby. As an inaugural offer, parking will be free for visitors.