Soon, the driver will drive his car to Saudi Aramco gas stations in the Kingdom, where a completely new experience awaits him. The fuel pumps are modern and self-service if the driver chooses to do so, with the option to pay using a credit card or debit card (mada). Convenient stores will also be available, and restaurants will offer a wide variety of food options.

Similar to the changes taking place in the Kingdom in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, it is likely that the construction of Saudi Aramco branded fuel stations will be faster than expected, and will have a significant impact on the level of expectations of fuel purchases from residents and visitors to the Kingdom.

On the occasion of the establishment of Retelco, a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, which aims to provide retail fuel services, Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Supply Planning at Saudi Aramco, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Retelco, Mr. Ahmed Al-Subaie, says: “Saudi Aramco will create a sustainable and profitable business model to achieve integration through Hydrocarbons Supply Chain” and added: “Retelco will develop its business in the automotive and aviation fuel services sectors, providing customers with excellent services, in addition to high-quality products within the framework of a profitable and sustainable business model, which provides new and stable revenue for Saudi Aramco.”

Completely transforming the concept of gas stations

Saudi Aramco has been in the global fuel retail business for decades through its global partnerships with major international oil companies. Motiva in the United States, Showa-Shell in Japan, S-Oil in South Korea, Fujian and Sinopec in China are examples of Saudi Aramco's presence in the fuel retail space with more than From 11,000 operating stations worldwide. This global experience has put the company in a position that qualifies it to enter with great confidence into the Saudi market, and to provide best practices from all over the world.

When Retailco delivers a quality customer experience, high quality fuels, and world class customer service; Thus, it will raise the ceiling of standards, and provide high-end services to clients from all segments of society.

For his part, the Chief Executive Officer of Retelco, Mohammed Al-Qahtani, stated that one of the main and important factors for the success of Retelco will be its focus on customers, not only achieving customers' expectations, but also raising the level of expectations they aspire to in gas stations in the Kingdom. He said: “We seek to move and completely transform the concept of gas stations for customers, from what they know from traditional stations now as a place to stop, get service and leave quickly, to a destination for services that travelers on major highways appreciate while they are on the road going to work or returning to their homes. Al-Qahtani added: “There is no doubt that focusing on quality and customer service is what Retailco can add to the retail sector in the Kingdom. on the quality of life.”

“We seek to completely transform the concept of gas stations for customers from what they know from traditional stations now as a place to stop, get service and quickly leave, into a destination for services that travelers on major highways will appreciate while on the road to work or home.”

Al-Qahtan said: The fuel retail services strategy is fully in line with Vision 2030 and its goals to improve the quality of life for the residents of the Kingdom. The entry of Saudi Aramco into the retail fuel sector will have a positive impact in creating rewarding job opportunities for citizens, and providing opportunities to open small stores, fuel pumps, restaurants, and other stores located in the gas station. With the addition of the domestic fuel retail sector to its portfolio, the hydrocarbons supply chain will expand.

While crude oil prices fluctuate based on news events, global political climate, and market conditions, the demand for transportation fuels will continue to grow steadily across the globe. Also, Saudi Aramco's position in the fuel retail sector will allow it to diversify market risks and find new revenue streams.

When Retelco conducts its business, bearing in mind a basic principle, which is “excellent relationships with customers that create real opportunities in the gas station sector”; It can then improve the quality of services available to citizens and visitors to the Kingdom at a rapid pace. The benefit of this high level of services will not be limited to building customers' confidence and earning their loyalty, but will also provide new job opportunities in high-quality restaurants, marketing stores, car washes and car workshops.

More importantly, when the gas stations operating under the Saudi Aramco name adhere to the same quality standards that Saudi Aramco applies to its business and facilities, the company will present its long-standing reputation for maintaining excellence to a larger base of customers residing in the Kingdom. Thanks to the provision of high-quality fuel and distinguished professional services improving customer service; RETALCO will become the Kingdom's trusted fuel provider.

First steps to founding

The idea of ​​entering the retail fuel field may seem like a simple step for an oil company, especially for the largest oil companies in the world, but Saudi Aramco has been very careful to ensure that its entry into the customer segment in the refining, processing and marketing sector will be successful and profitable. The first step was the establishment of its new company, Retelco, to be responsible for all retail fuel activities in the Kingdom and the appointment of its board of directors.

Al-Qahtani says: “Training is an essential part of the business plan and is the important factor for success. We are in the process of communicating with the training centers, and we will ensure that our employees have the necessary professional and communication skills, including a focus on customer satisfaction. If they are well trained, they will understand the business, and they will work towards achieving four goals that make Retelco different from others and rise above any competition, including: “Luxury” where rest, rejuvenation, refreshing customers and their vehicles, and “Leadership” which is an innovative experience that represents a role model for others, And “distinguished services” means working to provide distinguished services to all individuals and sectors of society, and all these services will be provided with the best standards through trained employees and the technology used within the goal of “service excellence.”

Retelco will become the national leader in customer service in the fuel sector, and will be a center of excellence in embracing best practices and modern trends in the field of fuel retailing. All of this will support Saudi Aramco to enhance its commercial position locally and globally by creating points of contact with retail fuel customers residing in the Kingdom, and visitors to it from all over the world. A positive model of competition in the Kingdom, with professional competitors ready to compete with a profitable and sustainable business model in order to improve the level of their services. Which will ultimately benefit customers in the Kingdom.

Vehicle and aircraft fuel

The main business activity in Retelco includes two divisions: the aviation fuel division, and the vehicle fuel division. As for the local vehicle fuel division, Retelco will take a phased approach to expand its network of local retail fuel stations to cover all parts of the Kingdom. It is planned to provide fuel stations with the most services on major highway junctions, where it will provide a full range of services, Including food services, shopping in convenience stores and other amenities. As for gas stations located within cities, they will pay the same great attention to hygiene and attention to other details, while they will have fewer services.

Adding new business segments will bring Saudi Aramco into direct contact with the end customer and certainly bring new challenges, but it will help the company extract full value from every hydrocarbon component from the moment it exits the well until it reaches the customer.