Lulu launches 3 value concept stores in

Lulu launches 3 value concept stores in
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Lulu launches 3 value concept stores in
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Lulu launches 3 value concept stores in
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Lulu launches 3 value concept stores in
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Updated 31 sec ago

Lulu launches 3 value concept stores in

Lulu launches 3 value concept stores in

Lulu Group inaugurated three new value concept — LOT — stores in in a single day — in Makkah, Saihat, Eastern Province, and Riyadh. The central launch event took place in Makkah and was attended by dignitaries and government officials.

The Makkah store was inaugurated by Dr. Waleed Basuliman, general manager of investment and partnerships at the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, alongside Lulu Group chairman Yusuff Ali M.A. 

Nasser Huwaiden Thaiban Ali Alketbi, consul general of the UAE in Jeddah; Engineer Yaser Attar, director general of investment and deputy for planning and financial sustainability at Makkah Municipality; business figures from Makkah, Engineer Abdulaziz Al Sindi, and Sheikh Ibrahim Al Rifaei were also present.

Yusuffali M.A. said: “This expansion reflects our commitment to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and our goal to offer high-quality, affordable products to all.” 

He added that with LOT, their aim is to redefine value retailing by making everyday essentials accessible to everyone without compromising on quality. 

“Four more LOT stores are in the pipeline in the Kingdom,” the Lulu chairman added.

Located on Abdullah Areef Street in Al-Rusafyah District, the new Makkah LOT store spans 43,000 square feet and is designed to deliver an engaging, budget-friendly shopping experience. 

It features a wide selection of household essentials, kitchenware, and fashion for men, women, and children, with a strong emphasis on quality and affordability. 

The store also offers ample parking space, enhancing its convenience for residents and visitors alike.

These value concept stores offer a wide range of products at unbeatable prices, with many items priced below SR22. 

This initiative aims to ensure that everyone can access high-quality goods, including household essentials, kitchenware, and fashion for men, women, and children.

The Eastern Province outlet, located in Saihat within the Lulu Hypermarket complex on Al-Musib Ibn Rafi Street, offers 24,000 square feet of smart retail space tailored to budget-friendly shoppers. 

Meanwhile, the Riyadh location in Al-Malaz features 18772 square feet of retail space and comprehensive parking facilities, positioning it as a flagship destination for value shopping in the capital.

All three stores opened with exclusive collections and promotional offers, reinforcing LOT’s core mission of making good-quality products accessible at wallet-friendly prices, responding to growing consumer demand for affordable yet high-quality retail experiences.

With this strategic expansion, Lulu continues to strengthen its footprint in the Saudi market, energizing the local retail sector and reaffirming its commitment to delivering value-driven shopping across key cities in the region. 


Jameel Motors to launch GAC electric vehicles in UK

Jameel Motors to launch GAC electric vehicles in UK
Updated 17 July 2025

Jameel Motors to launch GAC electric vehicles in UK

Jameel Motors to launch GAC electric vehicles in UK

Jameel Motors, a leading provider of mobility solutions and partner of choice to top automotive brands, has signed a joint venture agreement with Chinese automaker GAC to distribute the latter’s electric vehicles in the UK. In April, Jameel Motors announced it had won a distribution agreement for GAC in Poland through a competitive process involving both local and international companies.

This innovative joint venture will be one of the first of its kind in the UK with a Chinese automaker, a market with significant long-term potential and will be established after completion of relevant regulatory and antitrust approvals. With battery electric vehicle registrations up 25.8 percent year-on-year and accounting for 21.8 percent of new car sales, the UK is a strong and expanding hub for EV adoption.

The agreement expands Jameel Motors’ existing portfolio in the UK — where it already distributes the electric commercial vehicle brand Farizon Auto — and will be its first passenger vehicle brand in the market. The partnership will bring new EVs to the UK, driving market growth and offering customers a broader range of choices.

Initially, two all-electric models from GAC AION will be available: the AION V, a C-segment SUV, and the AION UT, a B-segment hatchback. AION showcases GAC’s core strengths of award-winning quality and pioneering technology — ideally suited to meet the rising demand for quality electric vehicles among UK drivers. They will be available through select retail partners across the UK, with first customer deliveries expected at the end of Q1 2026. Additional models will follow to expand the AION lineup.

Jasmmine Wong, chief executive — Jameel Motors, said: “The joint venture with GAC represents a shared vision, and an exciting opportunity to meet the UK’s growing demand for smarter, cleaner passenger vehicles. Led by customer preference and guided by our expertise, we’re committed to staying ahead of trends and delivering first-class solutions that are both innovative and sustainable.”

Wayne Wei, president — GAC International, added: “GAC’s entry into the UK marks a crucial step in its internationalization strategy. As we set foot in this dynamic market, GAC is committed to bringing industry-leading products and first-class services to UK consumers.”

GAC is one of China’s major car manufacturers, ranking No. 181 in the Fortune Global 500 and having gained international recognition for its high-quality vehicles, advanced technological solutions, and commitment to sustainability. GAC’s business spans seven major sectors: R&D, complete vehicles, auto parts, energy and ecosystem, international operations, trade and mobility, as well as investment and finance.

As of today, GAC has a market presence across the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa and America, in a total of 84 countries and regions worldwide. Driven by a strong commitment to innovation, GAC has reached major milestones in its international expansion, with overseas sales of its self-branded vehicles surpassing 100,000 units for the first time in 2024, a 92.3 percent year-on-year increase.

Jameel Motors represents some of the world’s most recognized commercial and passenger vehicle brands and has operations in more than 10 countries across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia. This agreement marks another milestone as Jameel Motors continues to expand internationally and harness innovation for the future of mobility. 


Amazon Prime Day unveils unmissable deals & savings

Amazon Prime Day unveils unmissable deals & savings
Updated 16 July 2025

Amazon Prime Day unveils unmissable deals & savings

Amazon Prime Day unveils unmissable deals & savings

Amazon has announced seven days of savings for Prime members in from July 25 to 31. The Prime Day deals include top local and international brands across more than 30 categories including everyday essentials, school must-haves, electronics, fashion, beauty, kitchen, home, toys, and Amazon Devices.

Abdo Chlala, country manager, Amazon , said: “We’re proud to bring back the biggest celebration of Prime membership, offering even more value for our customers across the Kingdom. This year, we are extending Prime Day to seven days, giving members in more time to discover and shop thousands of deals. Prime Day is more than just a sale — it’s a celebration of exceptional savings, fast and free delivery options, and access to products our members love. As one of the most anticipated moments for our customers in , we continue to evolve the Prime experience based on their needs. With exciting offers dropping throughout the event, we’re delivering a Prime Day that brings selection, value, and convenience right to their doorstep.”

During Prime Day, members can shop thousands of deals across popular local and international brands including Adidas, Anker, Babyjoy, Bellababy, Coach, Coslus, Dyson, Eucerin, Garmin, Guess, JW PEI, Lego, Levoit, Nivea, Philips, PlayStation, Roborock, Shell, Skechers, Sony, TCL, Tefal, and Ugreen, as well as support local small and medium-sized businesses. Prime members will also have access to deals from Amazon US, UK and Germany via the Amazon.sa Global Store with free international delivery on eligible products. Members should keep an eye out throughout the seven-day sale event, as deals will keep dropping during various periods of Prime Day. Additional instant discounts will also be available from select banks, ensuring members can maximize their savings at every turn.

For the first time, this year’s Prime Day will also feature exclusive savings for Prime members across the newly launched Amazon Bazaar in-app shopping experience, making trendy fashion, home, and lifestyle finds even more affordable. 


Nesma & Partners acquires Al-Yusr Contracting Company

Nesma & Partners acquires Al-Yusr Contracting Company
Updated 16 July 2025

Nesma & Partners acquires Al-Yusr Contracting Company

Nesma & Partners acquires Al-Yusr Contracting Company

Nesma and Partners, an integrated projects solutions company in , has announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Al-Yusr Industrial Contracting Company, a prominent provider of industrial services in the Kingdom.

This strategic investment positions Nesma and Partners as a leading integrated industrial services platform, enhancing its capabilities across the energy, infrastructure, and industrial sectors in alignment with ’s Vision 2030 development objectives.

AYTB will continue to operate as an independent company within the Nesma and Partners Group, preserving its organizational structure, brand, and operational autonomy. This acquisition enhances both companies’ capacity to deliver high-value project solutions across the whole asset lifecycle — from consulting, engineering, construction, and commissioning to operations, maintenance, and upgrades.

“We are proud to welcome AYTB into the Nesma and Partners family,” said Samer Abdul Samad, chief executive of Nesma and Partners and newly appointed chairman of AYTB. “AYTB has built a remarkable legacy of performance, particularly in operations and maintenance and plant industrial services. This partnership is based on mutual respect, complementary strengths, and a shared commitment to operational excellence.”

As part of this transition, Cristiano Tortelli has been appointed as chief executive of AYTB. Tortelli brings more than 30 years of global experience in energy and industrial services and has been actively involved in the transaction from its early stages. His leadership will support AYTB’s next phase of growth while maintaining continuity across all operations.

“I am honored to join AYTB as CEO at this exciting moment,” he said. “Together with the leadership team and the skilled workforce across AYTB, we will strengthen what has already been built, grow with confidence, and deliver sustainable value to our clients and stakeholders.”

AYTB is a leading Saudi, multi-disciplinary industrial contracting company providing a range of services and solutions to oil and gas, petrochemical, power generation and other major industrial sectors of . Boasting more than 40 years of experience in the fields of plant project services, manufacturing, industrial services, operations and maintenance, and housing and catering, AYTB has more than 6,000 employees.

Meanwhile, Nesma and Partners has grown its footprint both locally through its contracting and industrial services and globally through its wholly owned subsidiary, Kent, a leader in engineering and project management services.


Zain KSA and Cisco to develop AI infrastructure

Zain KSA and Cisco to develop AI infrastructure
Updated 16 July 2025

Zain KSA and Cisco to develop AI infrastructure

Zain KSA and Cisco to develop AI infrastructure
  • The MoU is part of Zain KSA’s strategy to actively align with ’s Vision 2030 goals by driving digital transformation and positioning the Kingdom as a global digital innovation hub, particularly in the AI space

Zain KSA, a provider of telecommunications and digital services in , has signed a memorandum of understanding with Cisco, a global leader in networking and security, focusing on the development of cutting-edge AI infrastructure and GPU-as-a-service.
The agreement will leverage Cisco’s advanced, end-to-end infrastructure solutions for securely building and scaling AI workloads, supporting Zain KSA in delivering high-performance, resilient, and reliable GPU-powered services to the Saudi market.
The MoU is part of Zain KSA’s strategy to actively align with ’s Vision 2030 goals by driving digital transformation and positioning the Kingdom as a global digital innovation hub, particularly in the AI space.

HIGHLIGHT

The MoU also includes exploring opportunities for training programs to upskil local talent, in line with Zain KSA’s commitment to ICT skills development.

As part of the collaboration, Zain KSA will leverage its deep market knowledge, cutting-edge digital capabilities, and targeted investments alongside Cisco’s global expertise in AI-ready infrastructure development. The initiative will create new solutions and commercial models to enable customers across various sectors to confidently and easily adopt AI solutions.
The MoU also includes exploring opportunities for training programs to upskil local talent, in line with Zain KSA’s commitment to ICT skills development to support long-term national AI capabilities.
Fahad Sahmi Al-Sahmah, vice president of B2B sales, Zain KSA, said: “At Zain KSA, we are mobilizing all our capabilities and investments to drive nationwide digital innovation, positioning the Kingdom as a global hub, a digital economy powered by future-looking GenAI solutions and applications. These efforts aim to empower all stakeholders, including government entities, businesses, and individuals, to harness the boundless potential of AI in support of national goals. This strategic collaboration with Cisco, positions us well to explore, develop, and innovate use cases, as we continue building a resilient, integrated and agile digital ecosystem that can embrace next-gen technologies and deploy them in the Kingdom.”
Zayan Sadek, managing director for service providers at Cisco Middle East, Türkiye and Africa, said: “Cisco is excited to collaborate with Zain KSA to pave the way for a transformative AI-powered future in . By combining Zain KSA’s digital expertise with Cisco’s cutting-edge AI infrastructure technologies, we aim to unlock new possibilities to empower businesses to thrive in the AI era and position as a global hub for advanced technologies.”

 


New partnership empowers businesses with flexible payment solutions

New partnership empowers businesses with flexible payment solutions
Updated 16 July 2025

New partnership empowers businesses with flexible payment solutions

New partnership empowers businesses with flexible payment solutions
  • Amazon Payment Services already offers a range of BNPL services and credit card installment options in partnership with more than 25 banks across the Kingdom, UAE, Egypt, and Jordan, allowing customers to split payments over terms of up to 36 months

Amazon Payment Services, a regional leader in digital payments across the Middle East and North Africa, has added Tamara, a leading “buy now, pay later” provider in the GCC, to its expanding suite of flexible payment options. As a new split payments partner, Tamara enables businesses in and the UAE to offer seamless, flexible payment experiences to their customers.  
The partnership comes at a time when consumers are increasingly seeking payment methods that deliver both flexibility and transparency. With BNPL demand on the rise across the region, Tamara’s inclusion in the Amazon Payment Services portfolio is a timely move to meet these growing consumer expectations and enhance the overall customer journey.
With BNPL adoption accelerating, industries such as airlines, e-commerce, healthcare, insurance, education, fashion, and lifestyle stand to benefit from Tamara’s Shariah-compliant flexible payment solutions. With Tamara, customers can split their payments into four equal installments — a feature designed to boost sales, reduce cart abandonment, and enhance customer satisfaction. Merchants, in turn, will benefit from larger basket sizes, improved conversion rates, and an enhanced shopping experience for their customers.
Peter George, managing director of Amazon Payment Services MENA, said: “As more consumers across the region look for affordable ways to manage their purchases, BNPL solutions are becoming more and more indispensable for merchants. Partnering up with Tamara, a leading split payments provider, was a natural next step in our commitment to empowering diverse businesses as they navigate today’s digital payments space. With this expansion of our offering, we are thrilled to unlock new revenue streams for businesses, help them deliver more value to their customers, and ultimately grow their online business.”
Sami Louali, EVP and chief revenue officer at Tamara, added: “At Tamara, we’re focused on creating a payment experience that benefits both businesses and consumers. Partnering with Amazon Payment Services allows us to expand our reach across the UAE and — supporting business growth and delivering a hassle-free, flexible payment solution for consumers. This partnership marks an exciting milestone in our mission to meet the changing needs of merchants and their customers while driving loyalty and sales.”
Amazon Payment Services already offers a range of BNPL services and credit card installment options in partnership with more than 25 banks across the Kingdom, UAE, Egypt, and Jordan, allowing customers to split payments over terms of up to 36 months. With Tamara’s inclusion, Amazon Payment Services can now cater to a wider audience, including customers who prefer to use either debit or credit cards.
This partnership ensures that merchants in the Kingdom and UAE have the tools they need to offer a seamless, flexible payment experience to their customers. With a single integration, businesses gain access to a wide range of payment options, advanced reporting dashboards, and streamlined reconciliation processes, keeping them ahead of the curve in the fast-paced digital payments landscape.