Supermarket outlets double in just one year

Modern retail outlets are steadily expanding their footprint across Bangladesh’s urban landscape as consumers increasingly prioritise convenience in shopping.

The number of supermarket chain outlets more than doubled to over 1,500 in 2025 from more than 750 a year earlier. The number of small modern retail stores also increased to 1,500 from 1,000 during the same period, according to the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Exporter Guide Annual reports for 2025 and 2026.

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The expansion lifted the industry’s annual turnover to an estimated $800 million in 2025, up 33 percent from $600 million the previous year, the reports said.

The USDA published its latest Exporter Guide Annual on Bangladesh early this month. It said the modern retail sector, including supermarkets, convenience stores, and online businesses, is growing as consumers attach greater importance to appearance, ambience, comfort, and the availability of a wide range of products.

While modern retail outlets are increasing in number, industry contacts believe they still account for only 3-4 percent of total urban retail market sales.

“These modern retail chains are striving to differentiate themselves from wet markets by offering a wider range of high-quality products and greater convenience,” the report said.

The USDA report names Shwapno, Agora, Meena Bazar, Unimart, Daily Shopping, Metro Mart, Prince Bazar, Fresh Super Mart, Chaldal, and Pandamart as the top 10 retailers in the country.

The agency said the easing of VAT rules for modern retail by the National Board of Revenue buoyed the sector’s growth.

“However, they also face challenges, such as cold chain capacity, food preservation and packaging, and general transportation logistics,” the report added.

The USDA noted that the e-commerce sector is thriving in the urban food and non-food retail market in Bangladesh, stating that “the adoption of digital technologies and e-commerce is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the sector’s future”.

Furthermore, the hotel and restaurant sector has experienced growth, especially in urban areas. Bangladesh now has 53 government-licensed international chains, local hotels, and resorts, including 20 five-star, eight four-star, and 25 three-star hotels.

Most of these establishments are located in Dhaka, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, and Sylhet, catering to the business community and domestic tourists.

The report further highlighted that Bangladesh has more than 1,000 food processing companies. This $8 billion sector grows at an average of eight percent annually as more consumers demand high-value, safe, and quality products.

“The evolving Bangladesh market presents new opportunities for US exporters in fast-moving consumer goods and beverages for the growing modern retail and hospitality sectors,” the report said, adding that consumer-oriented food importers have an interest in US brands and new products.

The report said that US exports of consumer-oriented products to Bangladesh totalled $13.9 million, accounting for less than 1 percent of the $2 billion that Bangladesh imported in that category in 2025. These US exports were valued at $12.7 million in 2024.