The Sultan Center
 | |
| Shareholding company | |
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1976 by Jamil Sultan |
| Headquarters | Kuwait City, Kuwait |
Key people | Jamil Sultan (Founder) |
| 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 the largest independent 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]
History
TSC was founded in 1976 by Jamil Sultan.[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 store concepts and product ranges.[2]
Retail
The retail side of the business consists of five elements: Service stores, Wholesale centers, Express stores, Discount stores and Mega Markets.[3]
Service stores are located in key areas, namely Ahmadi, Al-Kout Mall, Fahaheel, Salmiya, Sharq, Salwa, Jabriya, and Hawally. 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.[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]
The Sultan Center is operating retail stores across the Middle East in Jordan, Sultanate of Oman, Lebanon, and on May 2010 the latest Sultan Center Wholesale store was opened in Bahrain in Reef Mall.
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.
Clothing and fashion
The Speciality Fashion Group is the fashion division of The Sultan Center, representing various apparel brands from around the world.[7] They have four brand names, which include BEDO, Henri Lloyd,Jaeger, and Austin Reed.
Speciality Fashion Group operates international retail concepts in the Gulf region and has plans to expand throughout the Middle East.[7]
Telecommunications provider
TSC is involved in most areas of the telecommunications sector. They are particularly associated with the optical fiber cable transmission networks and radio and television broadcasting sectors, both in Kuwait and throughout the Gulf region in Syria, Oman, Bahrain, UAE, and Yemen. Since 1987, they have been involved in more than 250 projects. Five TSC companies are involved in their telecom operations: TSC Telecom, ATCO, Sultan Telecom, Horizon Telecom Services Company, and Arabian Information Technology Solutions Co.
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. Horizon Telecom Services is a fully owned company by The Sultan Center and Sultan Holding Bahrain B.S.C. and was established in the Kingdom of Bahrain in the year 2007, to carry out all Telecommunications activities required to promote the company's businesses and join other established companies and set up branches, divisions, subsidiaries, regional offices belonging to TSC. The Arabian Information Technology Solutions Co., also known as Arabian ITS, has been acquired by Sultan Telecom Company since 2009.
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.[8]
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.[8]
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.[9]
References
- 1 2 "The Sultan Center, Profile". Retrieved 2007-11-14.
- 1 2 "The Sultan Center, History". Retrieved 2007-11-14.
- ↑ "The Sultan Center, Retail". Retrieved 2007-11-14.
- ↑ "The Sultan Center, Service Stores". Retrieved 2007-11-14.
- ↑ "The Sultan Center, Wholesale Centers". Retrieved 2007-11-14.
- ↑ "The Sultan Center, Convenience Stores". Retrieved 2007-11-14.
- 1 2 "The Sultan Center, Fashion". Retrieved 2007-11-16.
- 1 2 "The Sultan Center, Security Systems and Services". Retrieved 2007-11-16.
- ↑ "The Sultan Center, Security Equipment". Retrieved 2007-11-16.