Biography of M. A. Yusuff Ali: Chairman & MD of LuLu Group International- Businessman
Kerala's Richest Man
Biography of M. A. Yusuff Ali:
M. A. Yusuff Ali, born on November 15, 1955, is a prominent
Indian businessman and billionaire. He is the chairman and managing director of
LuLu Group International, a global entity renowned for owning the LuLu
Hypermarket chain and LuLu International Shopping Mall. With an impressive
annual turnover of US$8.4 billion, LuLu Group International is a major employer
within the Indian diaspora. In 2018, Forbes Middle East ranked Yusuff Ali as
the top Indian business owner in the Arab World. According to the Forbes
billionaires list in October 2023, he is the 27th richest Indian, with a net
worth of US$6.9 billion.
Significant Business Ventures
In 2006, Yusuff Ali ventured into large-scale business
operations in India by establishing the Lulu Convention Centre and Hotel in his
hometown, Thrissur, Kerala. His business expansion continued in 2013 when he
acquired a 4.99% stake in both CSB Bank and Dhanlaxmi Bank, as well as
increasing his stake in Federal Bank to 4.47%. In 2014, he acquired a 2% stake
in South Indian Bank. Further diversifying his investments, Yusuff Ali
purchased the Scotland Yard Building in London in 2016. By 2013, he also held a
9.37% share in Cochin International Airport and made notable investments in the
UK-based trading firm East India Company, securing a 10% stake and a 40% stake
in its fine foods subsidiary for approximately $85 million.
Expansion of Lulu Group’s Retail Presence
The Lulu Bolgatty International Convention Centre on
Bolghatty Island in Kochi is one of the largest convention centers in South
Asia and features the Grand Hyatt hotel on the same campus. The Lulu Group's
expansion into the Indian retail market began with the opening of the LuLu
International Shopping Mall in Kochi in 2013. This was followed by the launch
of the Y Mall in Triprayar, Thrissur, Kerala, in 2019. The Group continued its
expansion by opening the Global Mall in Rajaji Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka, in
October 2021, and another mall in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, in December 2021.
In July 2022, the Lulu Group opened its fourth mall in India in Lucknow, Uttar
Pradesh. In 2023, the Group further expanded by launching a new hypermarket and
mall in Hyderabad, along with a hypermarket in Coimbatore.
Early Life and Career
Yusuff Ali was born on November 15, 1955, in Nattika, part
of the erstwhile State of Travancore-Cochin. He completed his schooling at St.
Xavier's High School in Karanchira and holds a diploma in Business Management
and Administration. After his studies, he moved to Abu Dhabi in 1973 to join
his paternal uncle, M. K. Abdullah, the chairman and founder of the Lulu Group
of Companies. Yusuff Ali played a significant role in developing the Group’s
import and wholesale distribution and ventured into the supermarket business by
launching the Lulu Hypermarket. In the 1990s, during a transformative period
for the UAE's retail sector, he established the first LuLu Hypermarket, which
significantly impacted Abu Dhabi’s retail landscape.
The Early Beginnings
LuLu Group International started as a small family business.
When Yusuff Ali joined the company, he expanded its focus to include importing
and distributing frozen goods from Europe and the United States. These products
were not only available in Abu Dhabi but were also distributed across other
Emirates. The business grew rapidly, branching out into both food and non-food
items. This expansion led to the establishment of cold storage facilities, meat
and food processing plants, and large-scale distribution services catering to
hotels, catering companies, and shipping. By the 1980s, LuLu Group had captured
a significant share of the UAE's wholesale and retail food market.
Expanding Horizons
Over time, LuLu Group International evolved into a major
international enterprise with a presence across three continents. Its flagship
retail chain, LuLu Hypermarkets and Supermarkets, has become a leading player
in the Middle Eastern retail sector, boasting over 100 stores throughout the
Gulf Arab states. In addition to hypermarkets and supermarkets, the group owns numerous
shopping malls, including Khalidiyah Mall, Al Raha Mall, Al Wahda Mall,
Mushriff Mall, and several others across the GCC countries. Notable malls in
Saudi Arabia and Oman are also part of their extensive portfolio.
Growth in India and Global Presence
In 2013, LuLu International Shopping Mall opened in Kochi,
Kerala, marking the group's entry into the Indian market and becoming the
largest mall in India. This was followed by the opening of another mall in
Thiruvananthapuram in 2021. The group employs over 65,000 people from 42
different nationalities, with more than 30,000 being Indians. The retail sector
remains the core of the group's operations, which extend to major Middle
Eastern and African countries such as the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Yemen,
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, and Kenya. Additionally, the group has retail
sourcing and manufacturing operations in the Far East, India, Africa, and
Guangzhou, China. In India, their operations include food processing, the
export of food and non-food products, and managing convention centers in
several major cities. Deloitte has recognized LuLu Group as one of the
fastest-growing retailers globally.
M.A. Yusuff Ali: Companies
M.A. Yusuff Ali is the Chairman and Managing Director of
LuLu Group International, renowned for its flagship retail chain, LuLu
Hypermarkets and Supermarkets. Under his leadership, LuLu Group has become a
significant player in the Middle Eastern retail market, with a presence across
several GCC states. The group operates notable shopping malls, including
Khalidiyah Mall, Al Raha Mall, and the prominent LuLu International Shopping
Mall in Kochi, India. LuLu Group employs over 65,000 people from 42
nationalities, including more than 30,000 Indians, making it one of the largest
employers of Indians outside of India.
Biography of M. A. Yusuff Ali: Chairman & MD of LuLu Group International/ Businessman/Kerala's Richest Man/Entrepreneur/Muslim billionaire/success story
Global Philanthropic Initiatives
M. A. Yusuff Ali is deeply engaged in various philanthropic,
charitable, and humanitarian efforts both in India and across the Gulf states.
His commitment to social causes is evident through numerous initiatives around
the world. Under the LuLu Group's Global CSR policy, he partnered with Dubai
Cares to support schools in Gaza and Nepal. Additionally, he spearheaded the
creation of a multi-faith funeral center in Sharjah, spanning 8.3 acres, for
the Indian community.
Support for Special Needs and Disaster Relief
Yusuff Ali has also promoted the sale of organic products
grown by individuals with special needs in the UAE through LuLu Hypermarkets.
His charitable contributions include donations for the Gujarat earthquake,
tsunami relief in Asia, and disaster relief for typhoons and floods worldwide.
In August 2018, he donated ₹9.5 crores for the relief and rehabilitation of
Kerala flood victims. He has actively worked to support the social, economic,
and religious welfare of expatriate Indians in the Gulf region, assisting in
securing land for churches and cremation grounds, as well as helping those
affected by the amnesty period and the Kozhikode market fire.
Additional Contributions
Yusuff Ali's philanthropy extends to pledging Rs 50 million
for relief efforts in Kerala during the 2019 floods, showcasing his continued
dedication to aiding those in need. His extensive contributions highlight his
commitment to both local and global communities through a wide range of
charitable activities.
Personal Life
Yusuff Ali is married and resides in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with
his wife and three children. His eldest daughter, Shabeena, is married to
billionaire businessman Shamsheer Vayalil. His second daughter, Shafeena, is
married to Adeeb Ahamed, who manages Lulu International Exchange and Twenty14
Holdings, the Lulu Group’s hospitality division. His youngest daughter, Shifa,
is married to Sharoon Shamsudheen, who is successful in the IT industry. On
April 11, 2021, Yusuff Ali, his wife, and three others survived a helicopter
crash in a swamp near Kochi, Kerala, caused by a technical issue and adverse
weather. Fortunately, both Yusuff Ali and his wife were unharmed and received
first aid at a nearby hospital.
Recognition and Awards
Yusuff Ali has received numerous accolades for his
contributions to business and society. In 2004, he was awarded the title of
"Commander" and the St. Ephraim Medal by the Patriarch Ignatius Zakka
I Iwas of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church. He was honored with the Pravasi
Bharatiya Samman in 2005, the highest award for non-resident Indians. In 2008,
he received the Padma Shri from the Government of India. Other notable awards
include "Businessman of the Year 2009-10" from the Kerala State Forum
of Bankers' Clubs, and several Lifetime Achievement Awards in 2012. He was
recognized as the "Most Influential Asian Business Leader in the MENA
region" by Forbes Middle East in 2012 and named "Arab Business Leader
of the Year 2012" at the Global Arab Business Meeting. Further honors
include honorary doctorates from Aligarh Muslim University, Middlesex
University, and Mahatma Gandhi University, and the Abu Dhabi Award 2021, the
city’s highest civilian honor. In 2021, he also received a long-term
residential visa from Oman and became the first recipient of the Bahrain Golden
Residency Visa in 2022.
A timeline summarizing the key events and milestones in M.A.
Yusuff Ali's life and career:
1955
November 15: Born in Nattika, Travancore-Cochin, India.
1973
Moves to Abu Dhabi to join his uncle, M.K. Abdullah, at the
Lulu Group of Companies.
1980s
Expansion of LuLu Group’s wholesale and retail food market
share in the UAE.
1990s
Establishes the first LuLu Hypermarket in Abu Dhabi, marking
a significant development in the UAE’s retail sector.
2006
Opens the Lulu Convention Centre and Hotel in Thrissur,
Kerala, India.
2008
Receives the Padma Shri from the Government of India.
2013
January: Acquires a 9.37% share in Cochin International
Airport.
March: Opens LuLu International Shopping Mall in Kochi,
India, marking the Group's entry into the Indian market.
July: Acquires a 4.99% stake in CSB Bank and Dhanlaxmi Bank;
increases stake in Federal Bank to 4.47%.
August: Acquires a 2% stake in South Indian Bank.
2014
Continues expansion with acquisitions in the banking sector.
2016
Purchases the Scotland Yard Building in London.
2019
Opens Y Mall in Triprayar, Thrissur, Kerala, India.
2021
October: Opens Global Mall in Rajaji Nagar, Bengaluru,
Karnataka, India.
December: Opens a mall in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
2022
July: Opens a new hypermarket and mall in Hyderabad, India.
August: Donates ₹9.5 crores for Kerala flood relief.
2023
Launches a new hypermarket and mall in Coimbatore, India.
2024
July: According to Forbes, Yusuff Ali is the 27th richest
Indian with a net worth of US$6.9 billion.
Notable Personal Events
April 11, 2021: Survives a helicopter crash near Kochi,
Kerala.
Honors and Awards
2004: Awarded "Commander" and the St. Ephraim
Medal by the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church.
2005: Receives the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman.
2008: Receives the Padma Shri.
2009-10: Named "Businessman of the Year" by Kerala
State Forum of Bankers' Clubs.
2012: Recognized as "Most Influential Asian Business
Leader in MENA" and "Arab Business Leader of the Year."
2021: Receives the Abu Dhabi Award, the city’s highest
civilian honor.
2022: Becomes the first recipient of the Bahrain Golden
Residency Visa.
This timeline captures the significant events and
achievements in M.A. Yusuff Ali's life and career.
