Lulu celebrates the holiday season with a new promotion of Italian cuisine
Troy L. Milliron
3 min read
Italian Ambassador to Qatar Alessandro Prunas (center) inaugurating the Italian Food Festival 2021 at the Abu Sidra branch of the Lulu hypermarket. Officials from Lulu MO Shaijan, regional director; Shanavas Padiyath, regional director; Mohammed Basheer, general manager of hypermarket operations, was present at the event. PIC: Salim Matramkot / The Peninsula
The Lulu hypermarket chain, in cooperation with the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) – the trade promotion section of the Italian Embassy in Qatar – has launched a new promotion of Italian food products.
The promotion titled “Festive Season, Enjoy the Best of Italy†aims to celebrate the holiday season and boost sales of Italian food products in Qatar in collaboration with Lulu hypermarkets. The promotion was inaugurated by the Italian Ambassador to Qatar HE Alessandro Prunas at the Lulu hypermarket, Abu Sidra branch.
The inaugural ceremony also took place in the presence of the Italian trade commissioner in Qatar, Augusta Smargiassi; Regional Director of Lulu hypermarkets in Qatar, Shaijan MO; officials from the ITA and the Italian Embassy in Doha, as well as many dignitaries from the retail sector.
The promotional campaign will continue until December 30, which would allow buyers to experience Italian excellence in the food sector, and of course this would encourage the consumption of Italian products.
The new promotion features many types of products such as dry groceries, canned vegetables, pasta, rice, cheese and dairy products, cookies, coffee, olive oil, fruits and fresh vegetables, chocolate, sauces, spices and condiments, among many others.
It is an initiative designed to promote and taste a wide range of Italian products, while telling the unique story of the extraordinary Italian gastronomic heritage. Regardless of nationality, people generally eat Italian food because it is healthy, of high quality, and meets safety and environmental standards.
The steady year-on-year growth in exports of Italian agri-food products to Qatar despite the global difficulties caused by the pandemic has been the main indicator of recognition of the quality and excellence of Italian products.
The Ambassador of Italy to Qatar, HE Alessandro Prunas, said: “The festival is impressive because it takes place in the biggest Lulu stores in the world. I am very happy to see so many Italian products presented during the festival.
He said the Italian Trade Agency in Doha, through the Italian farmers’ association ‘Coldiretti’, had established fruitful relations with Lulu, accelerating the export of agricultural products to Qatar.
“The cooperation allowed Lulu to access Italian agricultural products directly from the farmers’ association without intermediaries largely benefiting consumers. It also helps to bring these high quality brands to promote in the Qatar market. Cooperation is a win-win situation for all parties – Coldiretti, Lulu and the consumers of Doha, â€the ambassador said.
He said the initiative to hold an Italian food festival in Lulu stores will continue in the future. “We will continue to organize the festival regularly. Lulu has opened its business center in Milan, Italy, which means the relationship will be further strengthened.
He said the figures showed the import of agri-food products from Italy to Qatar was increasing steadily, thanks to Lulu for playing a key role in this regard.
“Most of the Italian products in Qatar are organic. We have a very strict certification process in Italy to guarantee the authenticity of organic products, â€said the Ambassador.
“There has been a growing demand and recognition for products of Italian origin. This is the opportunity to promote excellent Italian products in Qatar. Thanks to the efforts of the Italian Commercial Agency, â€said an official from Lulu.
He said that Italian food products are very popular in our market and other markets around the world for their excellent quality, highest safety standards and wide varieties and that there is an ever increasing demand for good quality Italian food products in Qatar and the region.
“Since we started trading with Italy, we have been able to advance our partnership by bringing the most authentic Italian food products to Qatar. In addition, we were able to bring in all categories of functional foods – gluten-free, organic and other healthy ranges, â€said the manager.
