15 March 2009
MUSCAT -- All the omanoil filling stations in the Sultanate are soon to have 'one-stop shop experience' for its customers after the launch of its new brand identity Ahlain tomorrow. In an exclusive interview with the Oman Daily Observer, Hussain bin Juma al Ishaqi, omanoil Marketing General Manager (Retail) laid stress on company's new brand image, which is based on the principle of consumer-friendly approach. "The very meaning of 'Ahlain' is 'welcome' and with the launch of Ahlain brand we will try to cater to all kinds of consumer needs of our customers. It will be one-stop shop.
Apart from fuelling we will have convenience stores, car wash and quick service restaurants. Having key partnership with Nawras all our outlets will have top-up facility for mobile phones," said Ishaqi. The highlight of the Ahlain quick shop omanoil outlets would be Burger King and other quick service restaurants. The first Burger King outlet in Oman would be at Jabel Qurum filling station and very soon all the 110 omanoil outlets would have service by the renowned food service provider and other quick service restaurants. Giving an overview of omanoil Ishaqi said the company has 60 per cent share in oil retail with a countrywide network of 110 filling stations.
"About 50 filling stations have convenience stores. All of them would be upgraded under Ahlain tag with better facilities and services," said Ishaqi. "The move is well-calculated as we found that it would be convenient for the customers to buy goods for day-to-day use during their stop for oil refilling. There are convenience stores but they have very limited choice for the customers and they do not cater to the needs of customers in totality. Our Ahlain outlets would have everything of daily use, quick service and equipped with ATM machines," he said.
"Our Ahlain outlet in Ghala is a huge success. We aspire to be more friendly and service-oriented as customers look for personal care, convenience and fast service. Our 'Hand' logo of Ahlain reflects our philosophy of service with care," said Ishaqi while explaining the very philosophy of brand Ahlain. He laid stress on omanoil's commitment for Health, Safety and Environment (HSE). "Under HSE we try to ensure a healthy, safe and pollution-free atmosphere in the Sultanate. We take all possible measures for the general safety at our filling stations and equip them with latest in the market.
Constant training keeps our employees updated with safe and environment-friendly moves around the world." Commenting on timing of new ventures in terms of launch of brand Ahlain and upgradation of omanoil outlets in the Sultanate, an optimist Ishaqi says, "this shows that we are least affected with recession. We are in a position to launch new ventures and this is how we can beat recession. In oil market shooting up and shooting down of prices is not a new phenomenon. Since we are used to such moves, our sector is least affected with the slowdown."
"As part of our corporate responsibility, omanoil has used the strategic locations of its filling stations to partner with Dar Al Atta'a and Oman Charitable Association to provide donation boxes throughout its network. Continuing its creative collaboration with Dar Al Atta'a Association, the start of the holy month of Ramadhan 2008 marked the launch of Omanoil's nation-wide donation drive under the theme: 'A helping hand in the Month of Giving'. Vouchers were sold at select omanoil filling stations across the country where all proceeds were allocated to providing Iftar meals and Eid al Fitr clothing for underprivileged families," said Ishaqi.
MUSCAT -- All the omanoil filling stations in the Sultanate are soon to have 'one-stop shop experience' for its customers after the launch of its new brand identity Ahlain tomorrow. In an exclusive interview with the Oman Daily Observer, Hussain bin Juma al Ishaqi, omanoil Marketing General Manager (Retail) laid stress on company's new brand image, which is based on the principle of consumer-friendly approach. "The very meaning of 'Ahlain' is 'welcome' and with the launch of Ahlain brand we will try to cater to all kinds of consumer needs of our customers. It will be one-stop shop.
Apart from fuelling we will have convenience stores, car wash and quick service restaurants. Having key partnership with Nawras all our outlets will have top-up facility for mobile phones," said Ishaqi. The highlight of the Ahlain quick shop omanoil outlets would be Burger King and other quick service restaurants. The first Burger King outlet in Oman would be at Jabel Qurum filling station and very soon all the 110 omanoil outlets would have service by the renowned food service provider and other quick service restaurants. Giving an overview of omanoil Ishaqi said the company has 60 per cent share in oil retail with a countrywide network of 110 filling stations.
"About 50 filling stations have convenience stores. All of them would be upgraded under Ahlain tag with better facilities and services," said Ishaqi. "The move is well-calculated as we found that it would be convenient for the customers to buy goods for day-to-day use during their stop for oil refilling. There are convenience stores but they have very limited choice for the customers and they do not cater to the needs of customers in totality. Our Ahlain outlets would have everything of daily use, quick service and equipped with ATM machines," he said.
"Our Ahlain outlet in Ghala is a huge success. We aspire to be more friendly and service-oriented as customers look for personal care, convenience and fast service. Our 'Hand' logo of Ahlain reflects our philosophy of service with care," said Ishaqi while explaining the very philosophy of brand Ahlain. He laid stress on omanoil's commitment for Health, Safety and Environment (HSE). "Under HSE we try to ensure a healthy, safe and pollution-free atmosphere in the Sultanate. We take all possible measures for the general safety at our filling stations and equip them with latest in the market.
Constant training keeps our employees updated with safe and environment-friendly moves around the world." Commenting on timing of new ventures in terms of launch of brand Ahlain and upgradation of omanoil outlets in the Sultanate, an optimist Ishaqi says, "this shows that we are least affected with recession. We are in a position to launch new ventures and this is how we can beat recession. In oil market shooting up and shooting down of prices is not a new phenomenon. Since we are used to such moves, our sector is least affected with the slowdown."
"As part of our corporate responsibility, omanoil has used the strategic locations of its filling stations to partner with Dar Al Atta'a and Oman Charitable Association to provide donation boxes throughout its network. Continuing its creative collaboration with Dar Al Atta'a Association, the start of the holy month of Ramadhan 2008 marked the launch of Omanoil's nation-wide donation drive under the theme: 'A helping hand in the Month of Giving'. Vouchers were sold at select omanoil filling stations across the country where all proceeds were allocated to providing Iftar meals and Eid al Fitr clothing for underprivileged families," said Ishaqi.
By Kaushalendra S Singh
© Oman Daily Observer 2009
