M. A. Yusuff Ali
M. A. Yusuff Ali | |
|---|---|
| Born | Yusuff Ali Musaliam Veettil Abdul Kader November 15, 1955 Nattika, Thrissur, Travancore–Cochin (now Kerala), India |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, Businessman |
| Years active | 1973–present |
| Known for | Chairman and managing director of LuLu Group International |
Yusuff Ali Musaliam Veettil Abdul Kader, commonly referred to as M. A. Yusuff Ali (born 15 November 1955), is an Indian entrepreneur and billionaire. He serves as the chairman and managing director of LuLu Group International, the proprietor of the LuLu Hypermarket chain and Lulu International Shopping Mall. With an annual revenue of US$8.4 billion, LuLu Group International is recognized for employing the largest workforce among the Indian diaspora. In 2018, Forbes Middle East named him the leading figure among the Top 100 Indian business leaders in the Arab World. As of October 2023, Forbes listed him as the 27th wealthiest Indian, with a net worth estimated at US$6.9 billion.
Yusuff Ali broadened his business footprint in India in 2006 by inaugurating the Lulu Convention Centre and a hotel in his hometown of Thrissur, Kerala. By 2013, he had acquired stakes in various banks based in Thrissur, including 4.99% shares in both CSB Bank and Dhanlaxmi Bank, while increasing his holding in Aluva’s Federal Bank to 4.47%. The following year, he secured a 2% stake in South Indian Bank. Additionally, by 2013, he owned a 9.37% share in Cochin International Airport. His international investments include purchasing the Scotland Yard Building in London in 2016, as well as investing approximately $85 million to acquire a 10% stake in UK-based trading company East India Company and a 40% share in its fine foods division.
The Lulu Bolgatty International Convention Centre, situated on Bolghatty Island, Kochi, ranks among South Asia’s largest convention facilities and operates alongside the Grand Hyatt hotel on the same premises. The group’s initial mall venture in India was launched in Kochi in 2013. Subsequent developments include Y Mall in Thrissur (2019), Global Mall in Bengaluru (2021), malls in Thiruvananthapuram (2021) and Lucknow (2022), along with new hypermarkets and malls established by 2023 across Hyderabad, Palakkad, and Coimbatore.
According to Forbes’ October 2024 list of India’s top 100 wealthiest entrepreneurs, M.A. Yusuff Ali holds the 39th position with an estimated net worth of $7.4 billion.
Early life
Born on 15 November 1955 in Nattika, Thrissur within the former State of Travancore–Cochin, Yusuff Ali completed his schooling at St. Xavier's High School, Karanchira, Thrissur. He also earned a diploma specializing in Business Management and Administration.
In 1973, he relocated to Abu Dhabi to join his paternal uncle M. K. Abdullah, who founded and chaired LuLu Group. Yusuff Ali played a pivotal role in expanding the group’s import and wholesale distribution operations and launched the inaugural LuLu Hypermarket during the 1990s. This move capitalized on the UAE’s retail sector evolution from traditional grocery stores to large-scale hypermarkets. Although international competitors like Continent (now known as Carrefour) entered Dubai’s market in 1995, Yusuff Ali successfully established LuLu’s leadership within Abu Dhabi’s retail industry.
LuLu Group International
Originating as a family enterprise, Yusuff Ali transformed LuLu Group by diversifying into importing and distributing frozen goods sourced from Europe and the United States, expanding its presence throughout the UAE. The company broadened its operations to encompass food processing units, cold storage facilities, meat production plants, and extensive supply chains serving hotels, catering businesses, and shipping industries. By the 1980s, LuLu commanded a substantial portion of the UAE’s wholesale and retail food sectors.
Currently, LuLu Group International spans three continents with over one hundred outlets across the Middle East that include hypermarkets, supermarkets, and department stores. The conglomerate owns numerous shopping malls across GCC countries such as Khalidiyah Mall, Al Raha Mall, Al Wahda Mall, Mushriff Mall, Madinat Zayed Mall, Mazyad Mall, Ramli Mall, RAK Mall, Al Foah Mall, Al Khor Mall, Riyadh Avenue Mall (Saudi Arabia), and Oman Avenues Mall.
In India, LuLu initiated its retail presence with the opening of LuLu International Shopping Mall in Kochi, Kerala—the largest mall nationwide—in 2013. This was followed by another mall launch in Thiruvananthapuram in 2021. The group employs more than 65,000 individuals representing 42 nationalities; over half of these employees are Indian nationals.
Retail remains at the core of LuLu’s operations across countries including UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, and Kenya. Its sourcing and manufacturing hubs are strategically located throughout the Far East, India, Africa, and Guangzhou in China. Within India, activities focus on food processing industries, exporting both food and non-food products as well as managing convention centers equipped with facilities located in Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Lucknow, and Thrissur. Deloitte recognizes LuLu as one of the fastest-expanding global retail companies.
In 2025, LuLu Group unveiled Kerala’s tallest twin IT towers at Kochi’s SmartCity—a sprawling complex covering 3.4 million square feet housing approximately 25,000 professionals.
Philanthropy
Yusuff Ali is deeply involved in numerous social, charitable, and humanitarian projects throughout India and the Gulf region. Through the Global CSR framework of LuLu Group, a collaboration was formed with Dubai Cares to enhance educational facilities in Gaza and Nepal. He led the creation of an 8.3-acre multi-faith funeral facility dedicated to the Indian diaspora in Sharjah. Moreover, he has championed the promotion of organic products grown by individuals with special needs in the UAE via LuLu Hypermarket outlets.
His philanthropic efforts extend to disaster relief, including contributions to the 2001 Gujarat earthquake, Tsunami Relief Fund, and various international flood and typhoon aid initiatives. In August 2018, he donated crore towards the rehabilitation of those affected by the 2018 Kerala floods. Yusuff Ali also advocates for the welfare of Indian expatriates in the Persian Gulf, aiding in securing land for churches and cremation sites catering to Hindu communities. During the Gulf amnesty period, he provided assistance to Indians who lost their livelihoods and supported victims of the Kozhikode market fire.
In 2019, he committed Rs 50 million to support relief operations following the 2019 Kerala floods, underscoring his sustained dedication to social responsibility within critical markets.
Personal life
Yusuff Ali lives in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with his wife and three children. His eldest daughter, Shabeena, is married to billionaire entrepreneur Shamsheer Vayalil. His second daughter, Shafeena, is wed to Adeeb Ahamed, who oversees Lulu Financial Holdings and Twenty14 Holdings, a firm specializing in hospitality investments. The youngest daughter, Shifa, is married to Sharoon Shamsudheen, an entrepreneur engaged in successful IT ventures.
On 11 April 2021, a helicopter carrying M.A. Yusuff Ali, his spouse, and three others made an emergency landing in a swamp near Kochi, Kerala. Both Ali and his wife escaped without injury and received immediate medical attention. The incident was caused by a technical malfunction amid adverse weather conditions.
Recognition and awards
- 2004 – Bestowed the title "Commander" and awarded the St. Ephraim Medal by Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church.
- 2005 – Received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, India's highest honor for non-resident Indians.
- 2008 – Honored with the Padma Shri by the Government of India.
- 2010 – Named "Business Man of the Year 2009-10" by Kerala State Forum of Bankers' Clubs.
- 2012 – Awarded Lifetime Achievement at the inaugural Indian CEO Awards.
- 2012 – Received Swiss Ambassador's Award for fostering Swiss-UAE relations.
- 2012 – Recognized as "Most Influential Asian Business Leader in the MENA region" by Forbes Middle East.
- 2012 – Earned "Arab Business Leader of the Year" at the Global Arab Business Meeting held in Ras Al Khaimah.
- 2014 – Conferred an Honorary D.Litt. degree from Aligarh Muslim University.
- 2016 – Presented with Archbishop Mar Gregorios Award for industrial contributions.
- 2018 – Awarded honorary doctorates from both Middlesex University and Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala.
- 2021 – Received Abu Dhabi's top civilian honor, the Abu Dhabi Award, from HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
- 2021 – Granted a long-term residency visa by Oman's Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion.
- 2022 – Became the inaugural recipient of Bahrain's Golden Residency Visa as chairman of Lulu Group.