Until a few years ago, Gorkha Departmental Store -- opened about a decade ago in Itahari -- was the lone department store in the region. But today, department stores can be found catering products and services to the customers in almost all cities, towns and growing markets. [break]
"Four new departmental stores have opened in Itahari alone in recent period," said Balaram Acharya of Gorkha Departmental Store, giving accounts of his new competitors in Itahari - the fastest growing town of the region.
Five additional stores too have been established in Dharan and Tarahara of Sunsari district. Departmental stores in Belbari, Birat Chowk, Pathari, Urlabari and Letang of Morang district too are doing brisk business along with the stores in Damak and Birtamod of Jhapa. So much so, entrepreneurs have opened department stores in eastern hilly markets like Ilam and Panchthar to tap new business there.
Knowledgeable people say investors have bet Rs 4 million to Rs 10 million to open a store and each of them are employing at least 12 sales staff.
"The stores are drawing a huge number of consumers because of easy availability of daily consumer goods, kitchen wares, gift items and durables in the same spot," Acharya said.
Jeevan Nepal of Sunrise Departmental Store too informed Republica that consumers also visit the stores because they offer goods of international design as available in Kathmandu and overseas markets.
"Easy to choose, convenient purchase because of no need to bargain and reliability on quality of products have also made departmental stores the first choice for buyers in the region," said Kabita Shrestha, a buyer at Gorkha Departmental Store.
Acharya noted that more investors were willing to jump into department store business, but they have refrained because of fluid politics and poor security situation.
"If situation improved, more stores will be opened, redefining the people behavior," he added.
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