Retail Outlets Open at Several Dhaka Metro Stations

Retail shops and food outlets have started operating at a number of stations along the Dhaka Metro Rail in Dhaka. Among the companies that have already launched outlets at metro stations are Fresh, Tasty Treat, Akij Resources, and Khaas Food. Several other firms have also secured shop allocations.

The metro line connecting Uttara and Motijheel currently has the capacity to serve about 500,000 passengers daily, although the average ridership so far is slightly above 400,000. With such a large number of commuters using the service each day, businesses have begun establishing retail outlets inside metro stations to attract customers.

So far, the authority operating the metro system has allocated 26 shops to 10 companies across 16 stations.

Growing Business Interest

Officials from the companies that received shop space say metro stations provide a unique opportunity to reach a wider and constantly changing customer base. While stores in traditional shopping malls typically serve people from a specific area, outlets at metro stations allow businesses to interact with new customers every day. At the same time, commuters can conveniently make purchases while traveling.

Because of this advantage, interest in opening shops at metro stations has grown among many companies.

The metro authority has also introduced the idea of small marketplaces within stations to increase revenue. As interest from businesses continues to rise, officials are now considering whether additional vacant areas inside stations can be used for more retail outlets.

Companies Operating at Metro Stations

The PRAN-RFL Group brand Tasty Treat has opened two outlets at the Shewrapara Metro Station and Kazipara Metro Station stations. These outlets sell a variety of packaged food items produced by the company.

According to company officials, they had applied for 15 outlets but eventually secured only one through the tender process, while another was allocated as a franchise.

Meanwhile, Meghna Group of Industries has received the largest number of shop allocations. The company plans to open superstores at nine metro stations and has already launched a pilot outlet at Pallabi Metro Station. The remaining stores are expected to open after the Eid al-Fitr holiday.

Company officials say the stores will sell a wide range of household goods and daily necessities, including packaged food and cooking ingredients. However, fresh fish and meat will not be available. One of the largest outlets, covering nearly 2,000 square feet, is planned for Mirpur Metro Station.

Online marketplace Khaas Food, which began selling products through e-commerce in 2020, has also launched its first physical outlets at metro stations. The company plans to operate stores at five stations selling around 20 types of products, including honey, dates, ghee, nuts, and cooking oil.

The first outlet opened in Shahbagh Metro Station in January. Later, additional stores were launched at Secretariat Metro Station and Shewrapara, with the newest outlet opening at TSC Metro Station. Altogether, the company has been allocated six shops within the metro system.

A visit to the Secretariat station outlet shows that it attracts a steady flow of customers. Five employees operate the shop, which remains open from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Staff say dates are currently the best-selling item during the fasting month of Ramadan.

Other companies that have received shop space at metro stations include Dhaka Ice Cream, Tanvir Food, and Mymensingh Agro.

Metro Authority Expects Higher Revenue

There are 31 shop spaces across the 16 stations on the Uttara–Motijheel metro line. Of these, 26 have already been leased to businesses, while the remaining five are in the final stage of allocation.

The rental rates for these shops are reportedly higher than those in many conventional markets. Authorities received 452 applications during the tender process, which allowed them to set competitive prices. The shops are leased for five years, with rental rates ranging from 400 to 700 taka per square foot.

Metro officials estimate that once all shops are leased, annual rental income from the outlets alone could exceed 100 million taka. In addition, the authority has allocated space for 153 ATM booths for different banks within metro stations, which is expected to generate more than 85 million taka per year in rent.