The Sultan Center

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The Sultan Center Food Products Co. KSC
Type Shareholding company
Founded 1976 by Jamil Sultan
Headquarters Flag of Kuwait Kuwait City, Kuwait
Key people Jamil Sultan (Founder)
Industry Retail
Products Groceries, Consumer Goods, Catering, Telecoms, Security, Investments
Website www.sultan-center.com

The Sultan Center (TSC) (Arabic: مركز سلطان) is an organization based in Kuwait, incorporating a diverse range of products and services. Mainly acknowledged for its retail business, it is presently the largest retailer in Kuwait. [1]. Operating eleven outlets at home, TSC opened its first retail store abroad in Muscat in 1999. Four years later, Safeway Jordan was acquired in 2003.[1]

Contents

[edit] History

TSC was founded in 1976 by Jamil Sultan, whose dedication and enthusiasm acted as a springboard for the organization's success. [2]. In 1981, TSC opened its doors in Shuwaikh, focusing on hardware and DIY products. This was Kuwait's first self-service store, and provided a base for the organization's shift to expanding their product range. [2].

[edit] Retail

The retail side of the business consists of three elements: service stores, wholesale centers and convenience stores.[3]

Service stores are located in key areas, namely Ahmadi, Al-Kout Mall, Fahaheel, Salmiya and Sharq. The aim of this division is to provide for various products and act as a "one stop shop" for customers.[4]

Wholesale centers are located in Dhajeej, Jahra, Mangaf, Shuwaikh and Sulaibiyah. Their main focus is value for money at wholesale, and offer competitive pricing.[5]

Convenience stores are aimed at offering customers a smaller, convenient shopping environment at more remote locations. These are branded as TSC X-Press stores and carry a smaller product range for last minute shopping.[6]

[edit] Catering

Alongside its retail operations, TSC also operates in the catering business. This takes the form of a café and three different restaurants, which include the Sultan Café, Jeans Grille, Chi-Chi's and Tumbleweed.

[edit] Clothing and Fashion

The Speciality Fashion Group forms part of the organization's efforts to become involved in the ever so challenging fashion retail business. Having partnered up with world-class companies, TSC's focus is on brand management and high levels of customer service.[7] They currently have eleven brand names under their belt, which include Bandolera, BEDO, Brubaker, Human, Mavi, NafNaf, Quiksilver, Roxy, Ben Sherman, Union Bay and clarie.dk.

Presently, Speciality Fashion Group operates thirteen international retail concepts in the Persian Gulf region, with plans for expansion throughout the Middle East.[7]

[edit] Telecommunications Provider

With over twenty years in the telecommunications sector, TSC specializes in optical fiber cable transmission networks, as well as radio and television broadcasting sectors. [8] Their experience in this sector covers Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, the UAE, Yemen and Syria. TSC has been involved in over two hundred and fifty projects in this field since 1987, and the three subsidiaries involved in their operations include TSC Telecom, ATCO General Trading and Contracting Company and Sultan Telecom. [8]

Whilst TSC Telecom is the primary subsidiary, ATCO's specialization is in fiber optics, microwave transmission, various narrow band and broadband systems. Sultan Telecom focuses on voice and data communications and operates in the Kuwait Free Trade Zone, being the sole telecommunications provider in that area.

[edit] Security Services

United Security Group Company (USGC) is a wholly owned subsidiary of TSC, specializing in security services and equipment as well as delivery, transportation and cleaning services.[9]

Security services are available on a 24 hour basis, with a team trained on aspects such as security functions, first aid and emergency response. K9 dogs form part of their services, whilst cash collection and valet parking services are available.[9]

USGC also acts as a distributor of security equipment, such as CCTV, x-ray machines, vehicle license plate recognition systems, tire killers and fire alarms.[10]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b The Sultan Center, Profile. Retrieved on 2007-11-14.
  2. ^ a b The Sultan Center, History. Retrieved on 2007-11-14.
  3. ^ The Sultan Center, Retail. Retrieved on 2007-11-14.
  4. ^ The Sultan Center, Service Stores. Retrieved on 2007-11-14.
  5. ^ The Sultan Center, Wholesale Centers. Retrieved on 2007-11-14.
  6. ^ The Sultan Center, Convenience Stores. Retrieved on 2007-11-14.
  7. ^ a b The Sultan Center, Fashion. Retrieved on 2007-11-16.
  8. ^ a b The Sultan Center, Telecommunications. Retrieved on 2007-11-16.
  9. ^ a b The Sultan Center, Security Systems and Services. Retrieved on 2007-11-16.
  10. ^ The Sultan Center, Security Equipment. Retrieved on 2007-11-16.