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Agora- a new way to shop

Published June 17, 2010

Bangladesh entered the ‘supermarket era’ on August 24, 2001 with Rahimafrooz Superstores Ltd. launching Agora, a retail chain superstore in Bangladesh, introducing a new way to shop. The company has already opened four outlets – Rifles Square, Gulshan Avenue, Maghbazar and Mirpur Zoo Road in Dhaka – and many more are in progress in Chittagong and other cities of the country.

The superstores are open from 9 am to 8 pm every day. Rush of customers is experienced in the morning and evening. Most of the employees of Agora are young and well-educated, some with Masters and MBA degrees.

Agora superstores are currently focused in food retailing, ranging from a wide variety of fresh vegetable, fruits, meat and fish to grocery, bakery, dairy, personal and household products. Agora provides its customers with guaranteed quality and freshness. It carries more than 30,000varieties of products and has plans to expand its product portfolio to carry other ranges of consumer products in the coming years. It aims at building a chain of more than 40 superstores by year 2010.

Other supermarket brands have since emerged but Agora continues to be the leader and trendsetter. Agora has been the venue of launching of Thai products, which have by now become commonplace. Californian apples were launched here as have been Agora buys products direct from the growers, which benefits the latter as well as the customers.The products are procured under the direct supervision of its officials who maintain strict procurement and marketing standards. Products on the shelves are regularly monitored for expiry dates.

Australia’s red apples, and crystal products from France were unveiled here. Unilever chose to launch L’Oreal range of cosmetics at Agora superstores. The big-sized ‘Boroi’ so common in the market was launched here. Recently the scientist behind the cultivation of Strawberry in Bangladesh launched the delicious fruit...