RIYADH, 21 May 2007 — Al-Sadhan Trading Co. disclosed an ambitious $300 million expansion plan that would see the opening of 18 hypermarkets in the Kingdom within next few years, encouraged by strong sales. Its electronic division alone reported an increase of 222 percent in sales this month.
Taking a round of the newly-opened Al-Sadhan Hypermarket at Khurais Road here, Mazen Al-Salih, CEO of Al-Sadhan Trading Co., said that the consumers would be the beneficiaries of this trend that has seen a proliferation of hypermarkets all over the Kingdom.
“This year itself, three more Al-Sadhan hypermarkets will be opened in Riyadh,” said Al-Salih. “We are targeting 18 stores in next five years,” he said, adding that “we will open four hypermarkets in Jeddah next year.” He said that “some major players will enter the Saudi market — one this year and the other next.” “Now we have competitive prices and better offers than before. People think there are too many hypermarkets. The reality is that it is not,” Al-Salih said.
Referring to the growth of its electronics division, he said that “Al-Sadhan electronics department has updated the traditional hypermarket electronics scene. He said “Al-Sadhan electronic department houses a large variety of brands offering expanded merchandise selection that provides added convenience and value to customers, from plasma TVs to mobile phones and hair dryers, It’s all in one place.”
He said: “Al-Sadhan electronic section provides the ultimate electronics shopping experience, it is opened to dazzle shoppers with high-tech equipment. It spots many cutting-edge innovations and offers very rich blend of well-known products, and holds exclusive imported selection such as Black & Decker, Procter Silex and Hamilton Beach as well as Al-Sadhan own labeled product Force Teck at very affordable prices.”
The electronics department occupies 22 percent of the hypermarket space, featuring a digital counter that displays mobile phones, still and video cameras, MP3 and MP4 and watches. It also hosts an expanded audio/video and HI-FI sections. The home appliances section offers a wide range of brand names that manufacture microwaves, irons, blenders, deep fryers, vacuum cleaners, juicers, sandwich makers, coffee makers and toaster.
Not only does Al-Sadhan boast the product lineup, but the customer service and technically skilled employees that set them apart from other electronic outlets. The staff have extensive training so that they may offer unprecedented levels of service. “With all of the mentioned products and services, Al-Sadhan is clearly striving to set the benchmark to be the premier hypermarket,” Al-Sadhan officials said.
Al-Salih said Al-Sadhan is also working closely with government agencies to control counterfeited products. He said that it is really difficult to control counterfeiting, because in many cases, agents of top brands themselves are involved in counterfeiting the products which they have been selling.