Muscat: A prominent outlet of the Lulu Hypermarket chain that was destroyed by rioters in the industrial port city of Sohar at the height of a wave of protests in the sultanate last February, is currently being rebuilt, according to the property's owners.
Lulu's Sohar outlet was set ablaze by a rampaging crowd in one of the worst acts of violence that shook the largely tranquil sultanate during protests earlier this year. The property, located at Sohar's Globe Roundabout, which was the epicenter of the protests, was looted in a predawn attack that shocked the nation.
On Monday, Lulu's Managing Director, Yusaffali M A, announced that reconstruction work on the outlet has commenced. Speaking at a news conference to mark the opening of chain's newest outlet at Nizwa in the Interior Region, he said the Sohar hypermarket would be operational within 12 to 16 months.
The UAE-based chain has so far opened 10 outlets across the sultanate with plans afoot for the launch of a couple more properties before the year-end.
The managing director also emphasized the Group's commitment to creating employment for Omani nationals, who account for roughly half of its workforce of around 2,000 employees at present.
