Metro stations turn into retail hubs in Dhaka

Several shops and retail outlets have been launched at different stations of Dhaka’s metro rail. Among the companies that have already opened outlets at metro rail stations are Fresh, Tasty Treat, Akij Resources, and Ghorer Bazar. In addition, several other companies have taken allocations for shops.

The metro rail, which currently runs from Uttara to Motijheel in the capital, has the capacity to carry an average of 500,000 passengers per day. However, more than 400,000 passengers are currently commuting daily.

Taking advantage of this large daily footfall, businesses have started establishing commercial outlets centred around metro stations. So far, the metro rail operating authority has allocated 26 shops to 10 companies across 16 stations.

Officials from the companies that have leased the shops say that when a shop is opened in a shopping mall or a market, products mainly reach customers from a specific area. However, at metro stations, it is possible to reach new customers every day.

In addition, passengers will have the convenience of shopping while commuting. For this reason, companies are showing growing interest in opening outlets at metro rail stations.

Meanwhile, the metro rail authority has introduced plans to set up mini markets at stations in order to increase its revenue. Several shops have already been allocated for this purpose.

As businesses are showing strong interest, the authorities are now considering whether additional shops could be allocated in vacant spaces within metro rail stations.