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Born on 15 November 1955 in Nattika, Thrissur (Kerala), Yusuff Ali MA studied at St Xavier’s High School, Karanchira, and earned a diploma in Business Management and Administration
He is the brains behind Lulu Mall in Lucknow. (Photo Credit: Instagram)
Yusuff Ali MA, Chairman and Managing Director of Lulu Group International, has received a signed copy of Lessons from Life along with a note from Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The message from Sheikh Mohammed read, “Wisdom is the only inheritance which grows richer the more we share it. Hope you enjoy the read.”
Sharing a picture of the book on Instagram, Yusuff Ali said, “As a visionary leader blessed with great wisdom and knowledge, I am sure the present and future generation can learn a lot from the life of His Highness. I am also grateful to His Highness for considering me to receive this book.”
Who Is Yusuff Ali MA?
Born on 15 November 1955 in Nattika, Thrissur (Kerala), Yusuff Ali MA studied at St Xavier’s High School, Karanchira, and earned a diploma in Business Management and Administration. In 1973, he moved to Abu Dhabi to join his uncle, M.K. Abdullah, founder of Lulu Group, and soon expanded the family’s trading business into wholesale and retail.
Building The Lulu Empire
In the 1990s, Yusuff Ali launched the first Lulu Hypermarket, transforming Abu Dhabi’s retail sector and redefining shopping in the Gulf. Today, Lulu Group International has an annual global turnover of $8 billion, employing over 70,000 people from 46 nations.
Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, Lulu operates across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, the UK, and the USA, with over 240 hypermarkets and malls. In 2024, Yusuff Ali listed Lulu Retail on the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange, raising $1.7 billion.
Leadership
He previously served as Second Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) and was on its Board of Directors for four consecutive terms.
Investments
Beyond retail, he holds a stake in Cochin International Airport, the world’s first fully solar-powered airport, and sits on its Board of Directors. His global hospitality ventures under Twenty14 Holdings include the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian and Great Scotland Yard Hotel in London.
Malls In India
Starting with Lulu Lucknow, which is located in the heart of the city at Amar Shaheed Path, Golf City. It was built at an investment of Rs. 2,000 crore. The mall also has a dedicated multi-level parking facility for over 3000 vehicles. Spanning across 2.2 million sq. ft. The mall also brought some of the biggest national and international brands in India, including the largest Lulu Hypermarket, Lulu Fashion Store, Lulu Connect, Uniqlo, Decathlon, Starbucks, Nykaa Luxe, Kalyan Jewellers, Costa Coffee, Chili’s, and many more.
Next, the Lulu Group came up with its first hypermarket in Hyderabad.
Personal Life
Yusuff Ali lives in Abu Dhabi with his family. He has three daughters, Shabeena (married to Dr Shamsheer Vayalil), Shafeena (married to Adeeb Ahamed), and Shifa (married to Sharoon Shamsudheen). In April 2021, he and his wife survived a helicopter crash near Kochi without injury.
Net Worth
As of November 2025, his net worth stands at $5.9 billion, ranking 652 globally, with Lulu Retail generating $7.3 billion in revenue, as per Forbes.
A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on what’s creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture.
A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on what’s creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture.
Delhi, India, India
November 13, 2025, 11:30 IST
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