Malick Asghar Hashmi / New Delhi
M.A. Yusuff Ali, the India-born retail king of West Asia who presides over $7.3 billion (revenue), LuLu Retail, with 240 hypermarkets and malls in the Gulf and Africa, had hired commercial flight to ransport food from India to the Gulf countries to prevent scarcities and panic amid the ongoing Iran and Israel-USA war and supply disruptions.
Due to the ongoing war, the movement of cargo vessels and commercial flights across the Gulf region has been disrupted. Amidst these looming threats, the Kerala-born Yusuff Ali took it upon himself to stock his retail stores across the region so that people do not panic.
The group booked passenger flights of private airlines to transport fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat from India to Kuwait and the UAE.
So far, the LuLu group has transported about 80,000 kilograms of fresh produce to the Gulf nations.
When maritime routes became unsafe due to the war and insurance premiums skyrocketed, Yusuff Ali opted for the air route. Known for his magnanimity and philanthropy, Yusuff Ali has always believed in rising to the occasion.
Lulu Group International recently announced that it had arranged special cargo flights from Kochi and Delhi to Kuwait. Operated through Kuwait Airways, the objective was not merely to restock its stores, but also to prevent panic in the market.
On the morning of March 12, an aircraft departed from Kochi Airport carrying 32 tons of fresh fruits and vegetables. Meanwhile, another massive aircraft took off from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, arriving in Kuwait with 50 tons of fresh meat and other essential commodities.
The passenger aircraft had been repurposed as a cargo plane. Behind this entire initiative stands the Lulu Group's Indian subsidiary, 'Fair Exports,' which is working around the clock to ensure the packaging and supply of fresh produce.
In times of war, the greatest fear is the disruption of supply chains. If supermarket shelves were to run empty, it could trigger widespread panic among the public. Yusuf Ali is dedicated to dispelling this psychological fear precisely.
Mohammed Althaf, the Group Director, explains that Lulu has established additional transport routes across its entire network. He said that, for the time being, there is no shortage of any products. Lulu's presence extends far beyond the UAE and Kuwait; the group serves over 60 million customers across the GCC region.
The UAE's Ministry of Economy and Tourism has also commended the promptness and efficiency of the LuLu Group in refurbishing its stocks and preventing panic in the markets.
The Kerala-born Yusuff Ali shares a deep bond with his motherland. He recognises that coconuts, seafood, and spices sourced from South India are the very lifeblood of the millions of Indian expatriates and residents living there.
According to Althaf, global conflicts can lead to temporary spikes in commodity prices. Rising freight costs and insurance premiums exert additional pressure on the system. However, when retailers maintain adequate stock levels, market stability is restored. This helps prevent "panic buying"—the impulsive hoarding of goods driven by anxiety—among the public.
The Lulu Group—founded by Yusuf Ali in 1997 with humble beginnings—today stands as a pillar of strength in times of crisis.
Spanning from Asia to Europe, its network of over 250 stores currently caters to the needs of millions of people. This war has demonstrated to the world that even if land and sea transport routes are severed, strong resolve can pave the way through the skies.
From Kochi in India to the deserts of Abu Dhabi, these cargo aircraft are transporting more than just goods; they are carrying a sense of assurance—the assurance that, even in difficult times, no plate will go empty.
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Yusuff Ali’s story is that of a responsible citizen—something far greater than merely that of a successful entrepreneur. He has demonstrated unwavering loyalty to both his roots and his sphere of work.
