Business activities go back to the 28th of November 1977 when Socodile Sarl was officially registered in Beirut. An early specialization in beauty, fashion accessories, clothing accessories and writing instruments was developed in mid to high-end items. Beauty and personal care items will become the focus of major long-term development. It took ten years for Socodile to become a major player in its category. The process was a gradual one. From the very beginning, a diversification process was put on track respecting however the specialization in mid to high end products. Different legal structures were created in order to focus on specific businesses, 'Sonodis Sarl' for new beauty activities, 'Nexty' for spirits and home appliances. Besides the distribution activities, a retail business was developed. A retail chain of outlets selling perfumes, cosmetics and skin care products was developed within the framework of 'Gestion des Magasins Sarl'. Also, a specialization in comfort shoes and outdoor clothes is undertaken under 'PÈrimetre Sarl'. A duty free outlet specialized in spirits was opened in the port of Beirut under the legal framework of 'Delta Duty Free Sarl'. Other retail initiatives will probably be initiated in concordance with the other segments of the distribution activities. A territorial extension of the business activities is being developed to cover new markets. 'Delta Commercial Services Sarl' is now covering Iraq through an office operating in Suleimaniyeh in the north. Other markets are under review. In its bid to gain a stronghold in the retail business, several real estate investments were done in Beirut City Center to guarantee the future availability of prime location in an area of Lebanon where locations are as dear as they are rare. 'Perimetre Immobilier Sal' is a completed retail and office spaces project in Weygand Street facing a main access to the new retail market under development by Solidere, the company managing downtown Beirut. Finally, in order to manage the increasingly complex operations and in order to give an umbrella identity to the different activities 'Fawaz Holding Sal' was founded in order to be the holding company of all the other companies.