Tangs

Infobox Company
company_name = TANGS
company_
company_type = Public
genre = Department Store
foundation = 1934
founder = CK Tang
location_city = Singapore
location_country = Singapore
location =
origins =
key_people = Tang Wee Sung
area_served = South East Asia
industry = Retail
products =
services =
revenue = 2007 Sales: 196,790,000
operating_income =
net_income =
num_employees = 686
parent =
divisions =
subsid = Tang & Co, Island Line
owner =
company_slogan =
homepage = http://www.tangs.com.sg/
dissolved =
footnotes =

Tangs is a company that specialises in the retail market, selling goods to customers. It is based in Singapore, and owns Singapore's oldest store which has become an icon of the Singapore retail market. For many residents and visitors, TANGS has come to be regarded as a Singaporean shopping institution, along the lines of Selfridges in London or Bloomingdales in New York.

The Early Years

TANGS was founded by Tang Choon Keng, popularly known as CK Tang, in 1932. With CK Tang's reputation for integrity and value for money, it went on to become important pillars in the TANGS brand.

Location

In the 1950s CK Tang bought some land on Orchard Road, Singapore which is the current location of TANGS. When CK Tang bought the land, it was situated near a Chinese cemetery, which spells bad luck in Chinese culture. However, this general belief did not affect CK Tang's views on his land, and soon he went on the develop TANGS.

Evolution of a Brand

In the 1980s TANGS launched the highly successful tag line "All The Best Under One Roof".TANGS was a favorite place for the expatriate community and Singaporeans alike for household goods and fashion. TANGS led in an uncrowded retail market.

The company was known as a fair employer and was closed on Sunday (which is unusual in Asia) as CK Tang was very religious; Christian and son of a Presbyterian preacher.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s one of CK Tangs son, Tang Wee Sung took control of the store. He went on to become Chairman in 2000 when CK Tang died. This led to Sunday opening and a broader merchandising policy bringing greater choice to Singaporean consumers especially from fashion houses of the USA.

Influence on Orchard Road

Years later, Orchard Road went on to become the Oxford Street of Singapore and is today one of the most vibrant shopping districts in South East Asia. Much of this is credited to the location of TANGS leading the way.

Today the TANGS on Orchard Road remains the Flagship store of the group and occupies 15,000 square meters and five floors of shopping space. Being one of the biggest stores in Orchard Road, it has a big influence on the prosperity of Orchard Road.