POKHARA, July 13: Bhat-Bhateni Supermarket has commenced operations of its new store in Pokhara, eyeing local customers as well as tourists -- both domestic and foreigners - visiting the lake city.
With this first outlet outside the capital, the number of Bhat-Bhateni outlets across the country has reached six. The group has been operating multi-product retail outlets in Bhatbhateni, Maharajgunj, Koteshwar, Pulchowk and Chuchchepati.[break]
The company inaugurated its service in the lake city with a slogan ´Product of Pokhara, Pride of Nepal´. “We will sell not just the imported goods, but also prioritize sale of products produced by local as well as small producers. Goods produced by local cottage industries too will be sold from our store,” Min Bahadur Gurung, managing director of Bhat-Bhateni, told media persons.
According to Gurung, the store will trade on daily consumable goods, readymade garments, toys and electronic equipment. It will also deal on entertainment products like toys for children. “Our effort is to provide all possible products and services from under a single roof,” he stated.
Gurung said that the prices of goods in Pokhara´s Bhat-Bhateni will be same as that in stores in the capital. “Customers will enjoy goods at reasonable rates,” he said, adding that the company will bear the cost of transportation itself and free the customers from additional cost burden.
The store located at New Road of Pokhara stretches in the area of 7 ropanis (38,674 square feet). The company has invested Rs 750 million in the project. The store has presently hired 140 staff, of which 70 are recruited locally.
“We will provide employment to around 300 people once full-fledged operations begin,” Gurung stated.