Lulu Group International and its chairman, M. A. Yusuff Ali, are trending this week for three separate reasons: a firm legal statement on defamation cases, fresh quarterly results from Lulu Retail, and a new hypermarket in Dubai. Here is a clear, fact-checked summary of each.
Top Headlines at a Glance
- Legal action: Lulu Group says it will not withdraw its defamation cases, even after a public apology from one of the people named in them.
- Business results: Lulu Retail reported Q3 2026 revenue of about $1.9 billion, up 2%, with online sales up 53%.
- Expansion: A new Lulu hypermarket has opened at Moopans Mall in Oud Al Muteena, Dubai.
- Charity: Yusuff Ali cleared a family’s bank dues in Kerala so they could get their home back.
- Wealth ranking: Forbes ranked him 47th on its October 2026 list of India’s 100 richest people.
Lulu Group Will Not Withdraw Defamation Cases
Lulu Group announced on November 11 that it will continue its defamation cases in Kerala, Lucknow and Delhi. The company says the cases are against individuals who spread false allegations about the group and its chairman.
The announcement came after Malayalam journalist Shajan Skariah, founder of the digital news platform Marunadan Malayalee, published an apology video on October 31. Reports say the original allegations dated back to a 2020 video linked to the UAE Consulate gold smuggling case in Thiruvananthapuram.
What the Company Said
- Lulu Group says it welcomes fair criticism but will challenge deliberate misinformation.
- The company says it has full faith in the Indian judicial system and will not accept an out-of-court settlement.
- Nandakumar, the group’s Director of Global Marketing and Communications, said it will pursue all available legal remedies.
Court Background
Yusuff Ali filed a defamation suit seeking Rs 100 million in damages for loss of reputation. In May 2023, the Delhi High Court granted interim relief, directing the editor of an online Malayalam news portal to remove content described as defamatory and restraining further comments about him on any platform.
Note: These cases are ongoing and the claims above come from Lulu Group’s statements and news reports. This article does not assess the merits of any legal case.
Lulu Retail Q3 2026 Results
Lulu Retail Holdings, the group’s listed retail arm, reported its third-quarter results on November 6.
- Revenue: About $1.9 billion, up 2% year on year.
- E-commerce: Online sales rose 53% and made up 9.7% of retail sales.
- New stores: Five stores opened in the quarter, taking the total to 22 in the first nine months of 2026.
- Loyalty: The Lulu Happiness programme crossed 10 million members across the GCC.
- Outlook: CEO Saifee Rupawala said trading conditions are slowly returning to normal and described the revenue growth as encouraging.
Why This Matters
For context, Lulu Retail ended 2025 with revenue of $7.9 billion, up 4.1%, and a net profit of $205 million. A brokerage note on its earnings call said management guided for 4% to 5% revenue growth in 2026. A 2% rise in Q3 is below that range, but the company points to strong online growth and continued store openings.
New Lulu Hypermarket Opens in Dubai
Lulu opened a new hypermarket at Moopans Mall in Oud Al Muteena, Dubai. The store was inaugurated by Sayed Ismail Al Hashemi of Dubai Municipality, with Yusuff Ali present.
Yusuff Ali said several new projects are in the pipeline, including seven in the Dubai region. He also inaugurated Moopans Mall itself, alongside Salim Moopan, founder and CEO of Moopans Group.
Yusuff Ali Helps Kerala Family Get Their Home Back
In a story reported on November 6, former national-level throwball player Aswathy and her children had spent four months living on the rear veranda of their home in Taliparamba, Kannur, after a bank sealed it over unpaid loans.
Lulu executives say Yusuff Ali learned of the case while travelling. After talks, Kerala Bank reduced the dues from Rs 35 lakh to Rs 22 lakh, which was paid on his behalf. Lulu officials handed the house keys back to the family.
Who Is M. A. Yusuff Ali?
Yusuff Ali Musaliam Veettil Abdul Kader, known as M. A. Yusuff Ali, was born on November 15, 1955, and is from Nattika in Kerala, India. He is the chairman and managing director of Lulu International Holdings and chairman of Lulu Retail Holdings. He turns 71 on November 15.
He opened his first Lulu hypermarket in the 1990s, and the business grew from a family venture into a group with operations across three continents. In October 2026, Forbes placed him 47th among India’s 100 richest, with a net worth of $5.75 billion.
About Lulu Group International
Lulu Group International is an Indian-Emirati conglomerate based in the UAE. Its interests include retail, shopping malls, food processing, wholesale distribution and hospitality.
- Lulu Retail: Listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. It ended 2025 with 267 stores across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain.
- Customers: Around 690,000 shoppers a day from 130 nationalities, according to 2025 reporting.
- Malls in India: Lulu Mall Kochi opened in 2013. The Thiruvananthapuram mall, opened in 2021, is described as the largest mall in India.
- Convention centres: Lulu Convention Centre in Thrissur and Lulu Bolgatty International Convention Centre in Kochi.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is M. A. Yusuff Ali?
He is an Indian businessman from Kerala who founded Lulu Group International. He is chairman and managing director of Lulu International Holdings and chairman of Lulu Retail Holdings.
What is Lulu Group International?
It is a UAE-based Indian-Emirati conglomerate with businesses in retail, malls, food processing, wholesale distribution and hospitality.
Is Lulu Group withdrawing its defamation cases?
No. On November 11, 2026, the group said it will not withdraw cases in Kerala, Lucknow and Delhi despite a public apology by one of the accused.
How did Lulu Retail perform in Q3 2026?
Revenue rose 2% to about $1.9 billion, online sales grew 53%, and 22 new stores opened in the first nine months of the year.
What is Yusuff Ali’s net worth?
Forbes ranked him 47th on its October 2026 India rich list, with a reported net worth of $5.75 billion.
Where did Lulu open its newest Dubai hypermarket?
At Moopans Mall in Oud Al Muteena, Dubai.
Final Word
Lulu Group is balancing three storylines at once: defending its reputation in court, growing steadily in a tough retail climate, and expanding in the UAE. Watch for further court updates and Lulu Retail’s full-year results in early 2027.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information and is based on public news reports and company statements. Legal matters are ongoing. Figures may change.
