The recent meetings of representatives of a global retailer, Dr Hans-Joachim Koerber, Chairman, Metro business (Germany) and his team, with top officials in Islamabad indicates the interest of German business and industrial establishment in this country's economic potentials. And more importantly, Pakistan is deemed by the German grocer to offer viable opportunities for investment in retailing sector.

Pakistan's economy is yet in its infancy when compared to the role, scope and impact of retailing giants of the developed world. Retailing is about the economies of scale. It is not the per unit profit on merchandize, but the profit on volume and the time span within which it is made; that is at the core of the retailing.

A glance through the Global 1000 business enterprises of the world should suffice to show the role and relevance of global retailers. The top world company in terms of sales, was the world's biggest grocer Wal-Mart, with sales volume of $258.68 billion. It stood fifth in the world in market value at $241.19 billion, having assets at $104.912 billion and earning 20.3 per cent annual rate of return on equity.

The reasons for retailers from the developed world to set up stores in developing countries are apparent. The home turf represents mature markets where scope for expansion is restricted.

There is a cut-throat competition with diminishing returns on equity. At the other end of the scale, developing countries over the past years have shown higher average economic growth rates than in the mature developed economies, as reflected in Asia, South America and the economies in transition in Russia and Eastern Europe.

German retailers have ventured as close as Poland and as far as east Asia. China is progressively creating an urban middle-class, estimated at 200 million, which is a bait for the global retailers. This has also spurred the local mass consumer marketing sector to organize itself on the West's big store model. Thus, local retailers have emerged with immense clout.

Shanghai Bailian with $5.86 billion sales in 2003 is topping the list, followed by Dalian Dashang and Gome with sales volume at $2.196 billion and $2.149 billion respectively.

While immensity of scale, size, space and number of products offered for sale are the salient features of modern retailing, the key to success lies in economies of scale in purchasing and selling the goods.

There is no universal retailing model promising success everywhere. No wonder that each global retailer has its own philosophy and strategies tailored to respective region and sphere of business.

With corporate headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, USA, the multinational had a very modest start. Its founder Samuel Moore Walton, who lent his name to Wal-Mart, started his retailing adventure in 1945 at the age of 27 in tiny Newport, Ark. U.S. supported by borrowed $ 20,000, as a franchisee.

His small town focus forced him to build his own distribution and communications systems, that later on proved to be critical to gathering and analyzing the data that the company now uses to push suppliers for everything from lower prices to better packaging.

In later years, sensing that powerful new concept of discounting would be key to success, Walton jumped in with his first Wal-Mart Discount City in Rogers, Ark., in 1962, the same year that other competitors Kmart and Target launched their retailing business.

Keen on learning from competitors' strategies, in 1970 Walton took his 32-store chain public. His retailing success strategy owed to his fanatical focus on low costs and low prices that changed the way Americans shop. With slogan "everyday low prices", it operates 4900 stores world-wide with 1.4 million global workforce and 1300 stores located in 10 countries outside the US.

With its shopper-centric business model, 15 per cent current growth rate, the grocer has relentlessly wrung tens of billions of dollars in cost efficiencies out of the retail supply chain, passing part of the savings along to shoppers.

With its unparalleled size and efficiency, it has damped inflation and driven productivity gains throughout retailing and manufacturing. To quote a consultant " The 2nd worst thing a manufacturer can do is sign a contract with Wal-Mart. The worst? Not sign one."

It has in the recent past sought additional cost advantages by bypassing middlemen and buying finished goods and raw materials from foreign manufacturers directly. By following such strategy it could drive down the retail price of a particular brand of jeans it sells in Britain and Germany to $7.85 from $26.67. To quote its senior vice-president for global procurement " the mind-set around here is, we're agents for our customers."

South Africa-based 'Shop rite' is the largest retailer of the African Continent, with over 700 stores in 16 countries, employing 65000 staff, a market capitalization of $1.2 billion, with reach up to India where its hyper market in Mumbai, the commercial and financial metropolis of India, is said to be the biggest retailing complex in that country.

It has stocks of 8500 different goods and seeks to pile high, sell cheap and keep opening new stores. Its energetic Afrikaner boss would make frequent use of his personal jet to resolve problems requiring talking directly to ministers and presidents of the countries housing his company's stores.

It expects its stores outside South Africa to provide half of its group revenue eventually. Unlike most foreign supermarkets in Africa, the firm targets mostly low and middle-income shoppers, it resorts to local sourcing of most goods for its stores.

For developing countries like Pakistan, retailing in the afore-depicted sense is a matter of time. With world-wide progressive applicability of the regulations and procedures of WTO, rising incomes creating urban middle class in developing countries, emergence of mass marketing retailing outlets as entirely foreign-owned or as joint-ventures with local entrepreneurs appears to be inevitable.

Benefits of such retailing are immense for the consumer, with generally assured quality of products and competitiveness of prices. Retailing has the potential to be a boon for the consumers, provided state institutions act as regulators with imbibed sense of integrity.

Mass consumer marketing can generate massive economic benefits both for the operator, native manufacturers of the products as well as for the consumers and social benefits for the community and the economy at large.

It can be a great impetus not only for commerce but also for the manufacturing sector to observe discipline, integrity and commitment as to the standards and norms of respective products to open up foreign markets
via the retailer.

http://www.urbanpakistan.com/forums/html/emoticons/pak_zindabad.gif

German Metro Group to open stores in Pakistan

Daily Times

LAHORE: A German trading retail company, Metro Group, will set up 20 stores in Pakistan with an investment of $5 billion, Muhammad Ajmal Cheema, Punjab minister for industries, commerce and investment, told a delegation of industrialists on Thursday.

He said that the first Metro store would open this year and either President Pervez Musharraf or Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz would inaugurate it. He said that initially two stores each would be opened in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi. He said the Metro Group had completed its survey for the acquisition of land in the cities. He said that a thousand new jobs would be created due to the company’s investment and they would also educate farmers in Pakistan on modern farming and marketing. staff report

This is one of the biggest departmental stores in the world! ive been to the one in frankfurt! just watch... this is just amazing..i havent seen so many things under one roof!

I m surprised that no store is initially planned for ISB. Though there is one planned for RWP.

is it anything like walmart?

The same if not bigger ... its like a store for everything in the world! ... the entire pace would be equal to their section on candies and gums... i just hope they are making their stores on a similar scale here and that they dont underestimate the pakistani market.

5 bill is alot.

but they dnt have any in uk.

Germany’s Metro Announces Plans to Start Business in Pakistan


Hans-Joachim Körber, Chaiman of Metro AG


German-based supermarket chain METRO has announced plans to start its business in Pakistan and expects its first Cash & Carry store to be operational by early 2007.

The group plans to open 10 stores in major cities with an initial investment of 150 million euros to tap the market of 154 million people.

Metro first showed its interest to do business in Pakistan in October, 2004 when the group’s Chief Executive Officer and President Dr. Hans-Joachim Koerber toured the country as part of a business delegation accompanying the then German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

A number of Metro’s top officials and experts later visited Pakistan to analyze the business prospects and prepare a feasibility study and, according to Dr. Koerber, results are “very positive and promising”.

“Pakistan’s market potential would fit very well with the business concepts of Metro Cash & Carry,” company’s chief executive Dr. Hans-Joachim Koerber told a press conference on Monday (January 16, 2006) also addressed by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

He hopes to see the first Metro Cash & Carry store in Pakistan by early 2007 “if all pre-conditions are met”.

For the group, the main obstacle for its market entry in Pakistan is still the securing of land plots due to very high prices for real estate. The group’s President, however, is confident of sorting out the problem soon.

Pakistani prime minister welcomes Metro
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz described Metro’s interest and plans to open business in Pakistan as very important for the country. “It’s a red-letter day for foreign direct investment in Pakistan because a major wholesale company is now looking at Pakistan for opening its business.”

Mr. Aziz hoped that Metro’s presence in Pakistan would influence the country’s “inefficient” multi-layered distribution and supply chain, which relies heavily on “middle men” and contributes to increasing the cost of products combined with low quality.

Almost 70 per cent of the country’s population live in rural areas, majority of whom are illiterate and engaged in farming. These farmers have limited farm-to-market access and, with scant know-how of market operations, they have little choice but to depend on middle-men to sell their products.

With some 500 stores in 28 countries and about 83,000 employees, Metro promises much greater efficiency in the procurement system, especially for small and medium-sized retails, as well as for hotels, restaurants and caterers.

Further, as the Metro group normally starts buying local products for its world-wide distribution and store network, it will also give a boost to the country’s export. Metro is already buying Pakistani goods worth 40 million euros every year for its world-wide supply network. These include leather garments, home textiles and fruits.

ISLAMABAD (March 03 2006): Steenkolen Handels-Vereeniging (SHV), a Netherlands-based group of companies, will make an investment of 160 million dollars to set up 12 Makro stores (cash and carry) in Pakistan,

A delegation of SHV holdings N.V called on Federal Minister for Industries, and Production Jehnagir Khan Tareen and sought the government's help in finding out suitable places in different cities for setting up these stores.

Makro is cash and carry wholesaler concern, selling in high volume food and non-food products to registered professional customers. Target customer groups are small and medium size retailers, caterers and the institutional market by providing products of quality and variety to customers. At present Makro Asia has 69 stores in different countries and its head office for Asia is in Bangkok, Thailand.

"The government is keen to attract investment in different sectors of the economy for which it provides incentives and concessions to the prospective investors" said the minister.


http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=393651&currPageNo=2&query=&search=&term=&supDate=

More details can be found on their website: http://www.makropakistan.com/

Apparently stores will open from this year.

Salam,

For some reason, I am not particularly in favour of such kind of investments. I would like an investment in infrastructure.... but for retailing or wholesaling, i would rather have Pakistani companies do that. That is a quick way of sucking up the capital, and I would'v liked Pakistanis to continue to do so.

Foreign investment sounds good only in those areas that are technically advanced or economically gigentic...! For a store chain, I don't really think so, somehow.

Peace.

looking good news
http://www.makropakistan.com/jobsenglish2.html

Salam,

For some reason, I am not particularly in favour of such kind of investments. I would like an investment in infrastructure.... but for retailing or wholesaling, i would rather have Pakistani companies do that. That is a quick way of sucking up the capital, and I would'v liked Pakistanis to continue to do so.

Foreign investment sounds good only in those areas that are technically advanced or economically gigentic...! For a store chain, I don't really think so, somehow.

Peace.


^^ true. I completely agree. Consumer markets should be capitalized first by Pakistanis and the government should set up funds to encourage Pakistani enterprises while allowing limited foreign investment in the sector for diversity. A classic case of big chains drowning out locally owned buisnesses could be Mr. Burger in Karachi which has been almost wiped out by Mc Donalds.

But....
theres another side to the story as well. Since a lot of Pakistani enterprisers dont have a lot of resources at the moment to make big capital investments the foreign companies can make, taking up foreign franchises is a good and well tested way to launch a profitable buisness fast. And since these franchises spread faster to more areas, they bring with them more jobs and faster development to the areas they spread to. So in the end, even if Pakistan ends up looking like an American town with walmarts all over the place, it would in the end, serve to improve the economy and bring more jobs.

Observing the case of Mc Donalds again, even though it has almost driven Mr. Burger to the brink of bankruptcy, they have introduced a new work culture where the workforce is more educated and more professional. It has taken away the stigma attached to working in a burger shop for a lot of social classes. And they have also been able to open a whole lot more outlets in various places that are employing a lot more people than Mr. Burger would have been able to do till now.

Salam,

Yes, that indeed is a valid point. But the problem lies IN the economic exploitation that goes on under the roofs of big corporations. Here in America, amongst social theorests, there is a move called "Buy Local", which is aimed at reducing the impact of huge corporations in our culture. There are great problems with this corporate culture, that needs to be looked into seriously.

All I see them doing is sucking up the financial capital of the market and move on to the next market... almost like a leech. Imagine how McDonalds all over the world is earning billions of dollars just by franchizing its "brand name", while the burger it sells is patheticly tasteless. All it has done is to bankrupt those small burger shops in the street corners around the world, and suck the money out of the blind consumers, who really don't care either way.

Point was that this store has nothing Technologically superior to offer us, no technology transfer, no huge infrastructure... all it will do is to suck up the capital that is now in circulation amongst small shopkeepers in Pakistani cities and towns.

That's why i hate corporate culture.... But I will tolerate corporations if they have a good side, like Technology Transfer. So, if Boeing comes to Pakistan, I'd be happy.

Peace.

Boeing has already come to Pakistan and setup a huge factory to make aircraft parts.

^^ source? any articles or links that verify that?

^ i heard this on news a few days back as well. i think it was geo. not sure which chanel.

Salam,

He is right in the sence that Boeing has a contract with Kamra (and probably QAI airport as well??) to assemble a few parts for a specific time period.

But the company stays in US in principle. However, I am happy that some technology transfer has happened with Kamra. This, according to an article, may help us transfer JF-17 technology easily.

Such investments, or investments in Dams, or power plants, is appreciated and really needed. But a chain retail store? I dont see any thing positive about it. In fact, its negative impacts slightly overweigh its benifits.

Peace.

anythink that brings employment is good.

it can hurt other pakistani business but it would also create competition which will make them renovate there stores and expand them so they will also have to invest more money. this is good.

there really wasnt any good posh resturants in lahore except for village untill mcdonalds, kfc, pizza hut, chicargo grill came and it made all the other resturants invest more on the resturants and develop them so they could compete with the international ones, now there are many of these resturants made by pakistanis which are doing even better then the international ones.

so it is very good if international stores and chains open up in pakistan, it will give a kick up the locals backsides to make them work harder and provide a customer friendly place, which was very hard to find a few years ago.

Salam,

Before I counter your logic, I hope you follow the rules of descent argument :| and not attack the forumer you disagree with, personally.


anythink that brings employment is good.
Illegal Drugs bring employment.
Weapons bring employment.
Nuclear poliferation brings employment.
Prostitusion brings employment.
Human Trafficking brings employment.
Monopoly brings employment.
Slavery brings employment.
Smuggling brings employment.
Lawlessness brings employment.
Corruption brings employment.
Terrorism can bring employment.
Robbery can bring employment.
Bribery can bring employment.
Lobbying can bring employment.

YOUR THEORY IS NOT ACCURATE and is too general. Economic exploitation by big corporates DO NOT BRING EMPOLOYMENT, it brings misery for millions who GET UNEMPLOYEED cos this big fish is taking all their jobs, and mechanizing them...!!!

it can hurt other pakistani business but it would also create competition which will make them renovate there stores and expand them so they will also have to invest more money. this is good.
I dont think so. I dont think that that poor burger-maker at the end of my street will renovate his stall in competition with McDonald's infinite power and capital investment.... just so that they can better exploit an average burger-eater!

Like I said, if it was Lockheed Martin or Boeing comming in comparison with Kamra, I would like it, because then Kamra will learn from LM or Boeing. But a retail store has nothing to offer us ... other then economic exploitation. I know its a hard concept to understand, so I won't force any body to think too deeply.

there really wasnt any good posh resturants in lahore except for village untill mcdonalds, kfc, pizza hut, chicargo grill came and it made all the other resturants invest more on the resturants and develop them so they could compete with the international ones, now there are many of these resturants made by pakistanis which are doing even better then the international ones.
You are talking about short-term benifit... that now you have better seating at your favorite food place. I am talking about millions who lost their jobs cos McDonald stole their business.... and people buy an inferior McDonald product cos it shines more than your local burger-maker's sandwich.

so it is very good if international stores and chains open up in pakistan, it will give a kick up the locals backsides to make them work harder and provide a customer friendly place, which was very hard to find a few years ago.
I don't think Germans will be interested in manufacturing Euro-fighter in competition with JF-17 in Kamra. They would rather open up Metro chain, so that that last bit of money that Pakistani retailers are making becomes a corporate asset... and all they have to do it is suck it and take it back to Berlin. All we would be left with is this SHINNY PLACE TO SHOP and a lot of unemployment outside the store on the streets.

Again, hard concepts to understand... so don't ponder too much.

Peace.

Illegal Drugs bring employment.
Weapons bring employment.
Nuclear poliferation brings employment.
Prostitusion brings employment.
Human Trafficking brings employment.
Monopoly brings employment.
Slavery brings employment.
Smuggling brings employment.
Lawlessness brings employment.
Corruption brings employment.
Terrorism can bring employment.
Robbery can bring employment.
Bribery can bring employment.
Lobbying can bring employment.

YOUR THEORY IS NOT ACCURATE and is too general. Economic exploitation by big corporates DO NOT BRING EMPOLOYMENT, it brings misery for millions who GET UNEMPLOYEED cos this big fish is taking all their jobs, and mechanizing them...!!!


:eek2: :eek2: :eek2:

i thought we are talking about foreign multinational firms investing in pak.

which foreign multinational firms specialise in all that.



I dont think so. I dont think that that poor burger-maker at the end of my street will renovate his stall in competition with McDonald's infinite power and capital investment.... just so that they can better exploit an average burger-eater!

a stall and a mcdonalds obviously cater to different classes.

they both are in different leagues and have different customers, a big mcdonalds opening next to a burger stall will not affect its sales at all, the lower class will continue to go there to get a Rs.10 burger.

but if there was a posh resturant catering to the middle and upper class and mcdonalds opened next to it, then most definatly it will get renovated E.G MM Alam road, main boulevard, y block.


Like I said, if it was Lockheed Martin or Boeing comming in comparison with Kamra, I would like it, because then Kamra will learn from LM or Boeing. But a retail store has nothing to offer us ... other then economic exploitation. I know its a hard concept to understand, so I won't force any body to think too deeply.

and a retail store cant learn from the other?

if you have been to pakistan in the last few years you could see that the retail stores and resturants have got much posher and offer a better service and the main reason for this was that they learned from there international competitors who invested in pak.


You are talking about short-term benifit... that now you have better seating at your favorite food place. I am talking about millions who lost their jobs cos McDonald stole their business.... and people buy an inferior McDonald product cos it shines more than your local burger-maker's sandwich.

that is no short term benefit and no one lost there jobs, infact more jobs were created and the ones that allready existed got an increasement in salary.

once again like the examples i have given you, in the places the posh resturants opened like y block and mm alam road the local ones had to increase there employees job salarys to make sure they dont leave.


I don't think Germans will be interested in manufacturing Euro-fighter in competition with JF-17 in Kamra.


and why would a retail chain like metro be interested in manufacturing fighter jets? :weird:


They would rather open up Metro chain, so that that last bit of money that Pakistani retailers are making becomes a corporate asset... and all they have to do it is suck it and take it back to Berlin. All we would be left with is this SHINNY PLACE TO SHOP and a lot of unemployment outside the store on the streets


isnt that what the companys invest for, to take back the money?

why would someone invest, if they are not gona take there profits back. LOL

that is what business is all about.

and please explain how unemployment would be created outside the store.

another good thing about retail chains being setup is that they urbanize the area.

if you go to any place in pak where the international chains exist you could see how posh and urban the commerical areas are wereas if you go to any place where they dont exist all you see is dirty shops, hanging sign boards, bad service, broken tiles etc.

it just shows that the internation stores have an effect on the others and as i have mentioned earlier it makes the others invest in there business. IT CREATES COMPETION AND COMPETION ALWAYS LEADS TO SOMETHING GOOD.

Examples of these places which have been urbized due to international stores opening there in Lahore are Y BLOCK and MM ALAM ROAD.

while in other areas the majority have unclean damaged shops where internation chains dont operate:

link road, model town
anarkhali
mall road, retail shops part (it is slowly changing is well now with a few stores opening there)
hall road (one of the main commercial avenues in the city)
the many other commercial zones in gulberg and DHA
main boulevard, johar town

you can see that international stores have a big effect on this and most of these areas are urban places.

Salam,

He is right in the sence that Boeing has a contract with Kamra (and probably QAI airport as well??) to assemble a few parts for a specific time period.

But the company stays in US in principle. However, I am happy that some technology transfer has happened with Kamra. This, according to an article, may help us transfer JF-17 technology easily.

Such investments, or investments in Dams, or power plants, is appreciated and really needed. But a chain retail store? I dont see any thing positive about it. In fact, its negative impacts slightly overweigh its benifits.

Peace.
Avid reader of PakDef?

Yes, I can tell when I see one!

SyedA is a good guy I always talk to him on MSN as well as Usman who is another great person.

Salam,

Yes. I am a regular at that site. Indeed the most important site I have ever visited on the net.

Usman is excellent... and full of mystery. Senior members are very patriotic and keep the "good news" to themselves untill its the proper time and proper confirmation. That way, there is no leakage... and the sources are reliable. Most of them are insiders.... the site, therefore is exciting..! :)

Peace.

"For some reason, I am not particularly in favour of such kind of investments."

ur forgetting that this german firm will employee thousands, spend hundreds of millions, and increase the quality standards of food processing

Salam,
"For some reason, I am not particularly in favour of such kind of investments."

ur forgetting that this german firm will employee thousands, spend hundreds of millions, and increase the quality standards of food processing

Ur forgetting the impact of corporate chains on the local economy. Their cost to indegenous economies is greater than their benifit. They will employ 200 (basically low-payed) workers, while making life harder for 4000 small shopkeepers.

Besides, my point was that we are not gonna benifit any thing from a retail store chain. If it is a technology transfer (like an investment from Lockheed Martin), fine. But I wouldn't want foreigners to come, exploit our workforce and resources, make billions and take away.

If you, however, are not aware of the exploitation of corporate culture, I am unable to explain on this forum. I would rather recommend some books, documentries and links, if you are interested.

Peace.

Metro sells wholesale only to business owners so those 4000 small shopkeepers lives are improved by getting all their supplies from one place.( example: buy 5 bottles of coke for 200 rupess then sell it at ur own shop for 250 .) a normal person cant shop at Metro without membership dues. It saves time and money for little shopkeepers and they get better products for their own stores.

"They will employ 200 (basically low-payed) workers, while making life harder for 4000 small shopkeepers." not true

Metro sells wholesale only to business owners so those 4000 small shopkeepers lives are improved by getting all their supplies from one place.( example: buy 5 bottles of coke for 200 rupess then sell it at ur own shop for 250 .) a normal person cant shop at Metro without membership dues. It saves time and money for little shopkeepers and they get better products for their own stores.

"They will employ 200 (basically low-payed) workers, while making life harder for 4000 small shopkeepers." not true


agree,

but remember its not metro opening up, its there sister company makro,

and basically they will be paying employees much higher wages then the ones at normal retailers while at the same time creating high paid employment (http://www.makropakistan.com/jobsenglish.html).

its basically just rubbish that it will affect small retailers if it does then like i said it would be good as IT CREATES COMPETITION. and competition is always good.

Salam,

I don't particularly agree with this notion that competition is always good.

Moreover, my example was supposed to be generalized as a principle, not as a specific example.

Even if it is a wholesaler, just the fact that it is a corporation, it has negative impacts for indegenous economies.

Unfortunatly, this guy (that i really dont wanna argue with) thinks that this competition is gonna create efficiency and therefore it's good. The fact is that efficiency from that prespective is not really good, since corporations are self-centered.

Again, if people dont understand the economic impact of "big-durty-business", I really can't explain. Its just a realization thing...

Peace.

^^ effective debating requires that you should be able to state your arguments in favor or against something effectively and not get pissed off if somebody offers a differing point of view.

We are all discussing issues here. If you offer viewpoints, you should have the conviction in your arguments to be able to defend them on a logical and reasonable ground and have the courage to be able to listen to others points of view as well in order to carry the debate forward in a mature and civilized way.

Seld Deleted: under Garbage Control Act.

No need to lose control of your emotions.

I had utmost respect for you and I still do for the studies you have done. But what has constantly been flicking me off so far is that in another thread you attacked somebody for agreeing with my point and made fun of them. Now you are directing an answer towards me and you are referring to me as "somebody" over and over again when obviously you are talking about me.

If indeed you are civilized and mature as you claim you are, it escapes my understanding why you have to resort to arguing in such a manner.

As far as the arguments on economic exploitation go, both of us have our points of view. You made yours clear and I very much understood it. I made mine clear as well. Every body has differring points of view and by putting them forward, we are doing a service to everybody so they can see both points of view and make up their minds. There is nothing in it to get so disgruntled about. After all, the point of this forum is to discuss and debate and present what we think is best for the nation.

I on my part was talking about Sustainable Development here in West Virginia when some of the members here were in their dipers

Other forumers here havent come out straight from the barn-house either.

Seld Deleted: under Garbage Control Act.

I saw this ad for a new GNC store opening in Islamabad. There are already two GNC stores in Lahore.
Makes you wonder when they are planning on opening a store in the largest city of Pakistan.
If anybody has more info on who is the franchisee of GNC in Pak, please share the information.

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/2585/gncpk5um.jpg

Sadly its not in Karachi

I'm surprised that they didn't open a store first in Karachi as well.



Since they are more in need of these products than the people in Lahore or Islamabad. :D

^^ true that! Karachiites are not very health consious at all! they need to start watching out more for their well being. Everybody says we dont have the time. tsk tsk.

Lahore needs GNC like right now!

Eating all that fatty food is not good.

Yes, I generalized Lahore but seriously open your eyes. Lahore must have the most obese people per block in Pakistan.

unitedpakistan you spoke too soon........

Swedish company to launch weight-reducing shake
LAHORE (April 10 2006): A Swedish firm known as Better Life Scandinavia INTL, dealing in nutrition and weight management products, will soon launch weight-reducing shake to help fight obesity and burning extra fat in the human body. In this regard a pre-launching ceremony of food supplement was held here on Saturday night.

Addressing on the occasion, the Punjab Minister for Mines and Minerals Syed Sibtain recounted negative impact of obesity on human body that causes diabetes, hypertension, cardiac and other health problems.

He said gaining weight is a world-wide phenomenon that causes due to junk food, burgers, soft drinks, and lack of exercise and improper life-style.


Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2006

for all the fat aunties and uncles in Pak who cant reduce their samoosa intake

Lahore must have the most obese people per block in Pakistan.
:eat: :eat: :eat: :eat:

Discussion Re-Opened!

Stay Civilized

KARACHI: A French retail company - Carrefour - will start operating in Karachi by next year.

This was stated by the Consul General of France in Karachi, Pierre Seillan, while talking to APP.

He said that Carrefour has also sent its representative to make preparations in this respect.

The Consul General stated that the French company would open a huge retail facility in the metropolis.

He said that a similar facility is also planned to be set up in Lahore as well.

Pierre Seillan stated that the trade ties between France and Pakistan are on the increase.

He was of the view that there exists potential for further improvement in the economic field.

It was also informed that a team of French experts will visit here by June this year to help Pakistan in setting up a world class engineering university in Karachi to produce high quality graduates. A consortium of some of the best French universities will collaborate with Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan and that this will be the first engineering university to be established with the French assistance in Pakistan.

The institution which would be ready by October 2008 would offer the disciplines of mechanical and electrical engineering, information technology, computer sciences etc. When becoming functional, the university would enrol some 5,000 students.

[The News, April 22, 2006]

http://epaper.dawn.com/Web/Article/2007/01/01/012/01_01_2007_012_006.jpg

Anyone know where this place is ?

My guessing is somewhere near the Port, maybe a little further away from it..

Anyone know where this place is ?

My guessing is somewhere near the Port, maybe a little further away from it..

Address is quoted in the ad. It is in SITE at Valika Chowrangi near Hinopak Plant.

Whats the differnce between a cash and carry store and an ordinary retail store line walmart etc?

Whats the differnce between a cash and carry store and an ordinary retail store line walmart etc?

As I understand, Cash & carry is a whole sale store i.e. for commercial buying. where as retail store line is for consumer buying i.e store to buy our daily stuff

I think a cash n carry would be more like Sam's Club or something such instead of being like a walmart, so you can buy things in bulk for very cheap.

Oh ok like a costco...Cool..

Nice...

can someone in karachi go to the "makro" and post some pics

its really far from defence i was going to a weding and i saw it on the way.

It is basically a wholesale store for the retailers, it's like Carrefour, just several times bigger (and for retailers, not end-consumers like Carrefour is). But what I've seen mostly is that people have given fake names of shops and then use the cards to shop.

It is basically a wholesale store for the retailers, it's like Carrefour, just several times bigger (and for retailers, not end-consumers like Carrefour is). But what I've seen mostly is that people have given fake names of shops and then use the cards to shop.

Yeah, but as far as I remember there was a minimum limit of Rupees which has to be spent on each trip. If people spend that everytime they go there then who cares whether they are giving fake names of shops or not.

I care, because I don't like fraud and dishonesty. That's the reason I've never been there. I'd rather buy something for twice the price than buy it at half the price through dishonesty. And no, I am not preaching, anyone is allowed to do what he/she wants, and I could care less. These are just the rules I have for myself.

I sort of agree with you on that one, I always did my shopping from Naheed Super Market & D-Mart because I dont like to argue with the "Thelay Walas" about the price of fruit or vegetables.

And not to mention their quality sucks, while Naheed and D-Mart, although expensive, still carry better quality products.

But it'll be interesting to see how Makro turns out ..

Is this cash and carry like 'check into cash' ?

Cash and carry
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cash and carry wholesale represents a type of operation within the wholesale sector. Its main features are summarized best by the following definitions:

Cash and carry is a form of trade in which goods are sold from a wholesale warehouse operated either on a self-service basis, or on the basis of samples (with the customer selecting from specimen articles using a manual or computerized ordering system but not serving himself) or a combination of the two. Customers (retailers, professional users, caterers, institutional buyers, etc.) settle the invoice on the spot and in cash, and carry the goods away themselves. (Eurostat, the European statistics authority).

Though wholesalers buy primarily from manufacturers and sell mostly to retailers, industrial users and other wholesalers, they also perform many value added functions, including selling and promoting, buying and assortment building, bulk-breaking, warehousing, transporting, financing, risk-bearing, supplying market information, and providing management services. (OECD -Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development).

There are significant differences between "classical" sales at the wholesale stage and the cash and carry wholesaler: These differences are based in particular on the fact that customers of the cash and carry wholesaler arrange the transport of the goods themselves and pay the goods in cash and not on credit. (EU Commission Decision (Kesko/Tuko) of November 20, 1996 (97/277/EC)).
In a retail context, the term has a similar meaning: customers pay cash for the goods they purchase (the retailer does not offer credit accounts) and carry them away themselves (the retailer does not offer delivery service).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cash_and_carry

Thanks Fahad!

An image showing a little view of interiors & exterior of 1st MAKRO karachi Out Let

http://www.urbanpk.com/forums/uploads/uploadsystem/U28-1168677313.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/126/357215340_f1c6930675_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/164/357215371_8e4fcfcb47_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/145/357215358_4ca41cdbcf_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/47/357224276_9aaf2e2e72.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/142/357215345_9ecfb6a1bb.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/165/357215376_5a32ff9b45.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/123/357224267_0df8aba3af.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/136/357224270_920a28166b.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/164/357215353_4326c506b6.jpg?v=0

Looks good!

^^
Cool man :banana: :banana: ... thanks for the pics

Nice looks better than carrfore.

its Carrefour

And their store are very big and quite modern at least here in france but none the less Makro looks OK.

Remember carrefour draws reveneues as huge as €74 billion a year. Thier net income is like €1.5billion/yr.

Very similar to Sam’s club, hopefully Makro will revolutionize the way Pakistanis shop, any one knows when its coming to Lahore??

its Carrefour

And their store are very big and quite modern at least here in france but none the less Makro looks OK.

Remember carrefour draws reveneues as huge as €74 billion a year. Thier net income is like €1.5billion/yr.

I don't know how they are in france? but im taking about Carrfour in KL and some other countries.

Is the produce Pakistani or imported from elsewhere?

Umais: Mind the language ..

You could've just edited the post, you know... rather than deleting that whole thing. It has a very valid point! You have no idea how much confusion it has created in here. People who shop at Naheed are thinking of going to shop there.

Article from http://lahore.metblogs.com/

Makro arrives in Lahore (http://lahore.metblogs.com/archives/2007/02/makro_arrives_i.phtml)

After its recent Karachi launch, the first wholesale supermarket chain of its kind in Pakistan, MAKRO, opens its doors to customers in Lahore. Their first store in the city opened yesterday at Ravi Road, where interestingly I've never been to.

MAKRO is a Dutch chain of large-scale wholesale supermarkets having a strong presence in many countries around the world. In Pakistan, it entered the market as a joint venture between its parent company SVH and one of the biggest business establishments of the country, the House of Habib to launch as Makro Habib Pakistan Limited.

I long to visit the place myself. It would be great if someone could have a round and send us some live pics of it.

http://www.makropakistan.com.pk/
http://www.hoh.net/

it looks like walmart in US wow
not exactly heheh but it is great no doubt

One small step for Karachi one giant leap for Pakistanis

MCB and Makro have reached an agreement through which shoppers would be able to use MCB cards at Makro.

But shouldnt they generally accept all forms of cards from all banks?

Is that a debit or a credit card?

Reason this might be a deal is that credit cards (and probably debit cards, too, but I am not sure) charge a 3% fee. These wholesale centers work at razor-thin margins and make money on volume, not margins. A 3% fee may actually make them sell a lot of items at a loss. This deal would probably be at a very very low fee, something like .5% or so, hence a deal with the bank and not Visa or MasterCard.

Wednesday, 04 April 2007

LAHORE, April 4 (APP): Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has said Pakistan has become favourite country for foreign companies, which are in large number investing here due to better trade opportunities.

He stated this while addressing the groundbreaking ceremony of country headquarters of ‘Metro Cash and Carry’, an international company in self-service wholesale, here at Thokar Niaz Beg on Wednesday.

The Chief Minister said the Metro would bring a great revolution in the economic sector of Pakistan and thanked the company for selecting Lahore as its headquarters in Pakistan.

He said Metro is the third leading company of the world and its operations here would create thousands of job opportunities, which would ultimately help reduce the menace of poverty from the province.

Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi further said the Metro has promised to provide edibles and other items to the masses at a cheaper rate through its distribution centres.

In his address, the Chief Operating Officer Metro International Asia Pacific Region, Mr. James Scoot said the company is present in over 29 countries worldwide, with sales of over Euro 30.0 billion last year.

He said the company intends to invest over Euro 150 million in wholesale centres in all major cities around the country over the next 10 years.

“Each store would occupy a space of around 10,000 square meters and an assortment of over 20,000 products under one roof including both food and non-food articles, especially focusing on fresh food products,” he added.

He said only commercial customers are allowed to purchase at Metro Cash and Carry, all of them duly registered and provided with a customer card and the core customers are small and medium-sized retailers as well as the hotel, restaurant and catering business and other companies and institutions.

For them the Metro distribution network, they could purchase goods more flexibly and at more favourable prices compared with the traditional procurement sources.

Each store would employ over 300 local personnel and another 150 persons for auxiliary services as well as 200 individuals at the company’s headquarters in Lahore, he maintained.

The company also plans to run a farmer training programme intended to build the capacity of farmers by improvements in marketing and supply chain, he said and added this would help Pakistani farmers produce export quality fruit and vegetables.

[APP]

whats the difference between metro and makro

I think its Makro that hes talking about.

^^
no both are different chains ....
there is already a MAKRO both in Karachi and Lahore...
There is one METRO opend in Lahore, while it is in progress in Karachi on an empty plot adjacent to FTC (near Gora Qabristan).

So, we have two different chains in Pakistan ..... I also heard that Carrefour is opening their first Outlet in Karachi .... in DOLMEN CITY..
Also, there is another big hyper market under construction on the land of CAA near to Jinnah Terminal ..... and another one at Mai Colachi by Pass....

Lets us see when these news get mature .....
Also .any one in Karachi plz check it out, and confirm the status...

I think its Makro that hes talking about.

No, I am not talking about Makro...

Metro is a German company, whereas Makro is Dutch. Although Metro owns the the Makro stores in Europe, but outside Europe, Makro and Metro are in competition with each other.

Makro is owned by the Dutch oil and gas company SHV. It runs stores in Asia and South America only. In 1998, Makro sold their European stores to Metro, a German based retail and wholesale company. Metro is still running the European stores under the Makro brand.

Pakistan is the sixth country in Asia where they started their operations.

Check their websites:
www.metro-cc.com
www.makro.com

ATKearney is a US based management consultancy firm which published the annual Global Retail Development Index of 30 countries, most attractive for investment in retail sector. In 2005, Pakistan entered the index for the first time on the 30th position. This is what they had to say about Pakistan's retail sector in their 2005 report:

Pakistan enters the ranking. Kazakhstan may be next.

Pakistan makes its first appearance on the GRDI and rounds out this year’s index in the number 30 spot. Pakistan’s high market saturation score reflects one of the least concentrated retail sectors in the world. In fact, the only identifiable chain is state-owned Utility Stores Corporation, which holds just 0.3 percent of the market. With strong GDP growth averaging just over 6 percent for the past three years, and a government determined to attract foreign investment, up-and-coming Pakistan is beginning to capture retailers’ attention. SHV Makro plans to open 30 stores, and Spinneys expects to open six to eight. In addition, Metro will open its first Cash & Carry outlet by the end of this year, with plans to build 20 more outlets in the longer term. While Pakistan holds significant promise, questions about political stability and geopolitical tensions will likely make foreign entrants cautious.

Here's the link for the above news:

http://www.atkearney.com/main.taf?p=5,3,1,110,4

By the way, how are images attached with posts?

i thought metro and makro were owned by the same company

After Makro and Metro, Spinneys of Dubai is the third chain of supermarkets which has announced to enter the Pakistani market. Their first supermarket will be located in the Sofitel Tower Karachi.

Good news we need more supermarkets in Pakistan

with so many supermarkets coming up dont u think it will drive out the local dukandars out of business?

No actually. They make plenty of money actually. It will force them to modernize and diversify.

Competition always makes things better in Pakistan...always.

A good example is Naheed Supermarket in Bahadurabad, its a local company which came out of its shell from a small shop into a large one near the same area.

Theres also D-Mart.

http://www.lahorerealestate.com/ads/public/img-1177158492.jpg

Cash N carry HO, what so great about this news.

The following was the press release issued by METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan on the occasion of its groundbreaking ceremony.

METRO Cash & Carry lays foundation for its first distribution centre in Pakistan

German self-service wholesaler to have first distribution centre on Multan Road near Thokar Niaz Beg, Lahore

Lahore, 4th April 2007 – METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan inaugurated its first distribution centre’s construction here at Multan Road near Thokar Niaz Beg with the presence of the Chief Minister of Punjab Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and the Lahore City District Nazim Mian Amer Mehmood. Also present at the ground breaking ceremony were the executive board of METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan, Mr. James Scott, Chief Operating Officer METRO Cash & Carry International Asia Pacific Region and Mr. Henry Birr, METRO Group’s Vice President International Affairs.

With its opening in Pakistan, the international market leader in self-service wholesale would be expanding its presence in Asia after China, Japan, Vietnam and India. The company is present in over 29 countries worldwide, with sales of over € 30.0 billion in 2006. It announced its operations in Pakistan in January 2006 after positive feasibility findings – with a population of over 160 million people, an improving infrastructure and a progressing economy; Pakistan was identified as a very promising market. The company intends to invest over € 150 million in wholesale centres in all major cities around the country over the next 10 years. Each store will occupy a space of around 10,000 square meters and an assortment of over 20,000 products under one roof including both food and non-food articles, especially focusing on fresh food products.

Cash & Carry wholesale is characterized and defined through its customer base: only commercial customers are allowed to purchase at METRO Cash & Carry, all of them duly registered and provided with a customer card. This means that METRO Cash & Carry does not sell to private end consumers. The core customers are small and medium-sized retailers as well as the hotel, restaurant and catering business and other companies and institutions. For them the METRO Cash & Carry distribution network promises much greater efficiency than the multilayered supply chain. They can purchase the goods more flexibly and at more favourable prices compared with the traditional procurement sources. As a result, METRO Cash & Carry strengthens the competitiveness of its professional customers.

METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan’s first distribution centre will herald a new era of wholesale in the Pakistan. The company’s unique business model focuses on the provision of quality products for its customers at low prices making METRO Cash & Carry the most efficient procurement facility for professionals and businesses (B2B). Furthermore, the company’s business concept complements and enhances the existing consumer goods distribution structures in a country. METRO Cash & Carry strengthens local suppliers by building their capabilities and providing them with marketing opportunities – most of the products offered at METRO Cash & Carry will be produced locally. Therefore, METRO Cash & Carry will benefit the country and strengthen local supply chains as well as the market. In terms of employment, each store would employ over 300 local personnel. A further 150 persons will be employed for auxiliary services as well as 200 people at the company’s country headquarters in Lahore.

METRO Cash & Carry has committed itself to a long term partnership with Pakistan and its people which was echoed in its donations of €200,000 for both the President’s Earthquake Relief Fund and the Chief Minister’s Family Relief Project for Earthquake Victims. METRO Cash & Carry also plans to run a farmer training program intended to build the capacity of farmers by improvements in marketing and supply chain. This will help Pakistani farmers produce export quality fruits and vegetables that will be able to compete in the international market.

Mr. Scott said that the company was highly grateful to the people and Government of Pakistan as well as the Government of the Punjab for their hospitality and support. The governments’ policies on attracting foreign investment have done wonders for the country’s economy. Current economic trends show potential and coupled with the Government’s sound policies, Pakistani people will benefit over the long term. He emphasized that the partnership between METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan and the Government was strong and together the two can bring prosperity to the region and the whole country.

METRO Cash & Carry is represented in 28 countries with more than 580 self-service wholesale stores. With more than 100,000 employees worldwide, the company achieved sales of € 29.9 billion in 2006. METRO Cash & Carry is a sales division of the METRO Group, one of the most important international retailing and trading companies. In 2006, the group reached sales of about € 60 billion. The company has a headcount of some 270,000 employees and operates about 2,400 outlets in 30 countries. The operating business is performed by the sales brands which operate independently in the market: Metro/Makro Cash & Carry, Real hypermarkets and Extra supermarkets, Media Markt and Saturn – market leader in consumer electronics centers in Europe, and Galeria Kaufhof department stores.
More information at: www.metrogroup.de.

And for those asking, the groundbreaking ceremony was held for METRO's first distribution centre AND Head Office. The head office will be located above the distribution centre.

Images from the Groundbreaking Ceremony

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/7448/Metro253.jpg


http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/565/Metro234.jpg
[from left to right:]
Atila Yenisen (Merchandising & Procurement Director Food), Geoffrey Griffiths (Administration Director), Henry Birr (METRO Group’s Vice President International Affairs), James Scott (Chief Operating Officer METRO Cash & Carry International Asia Pacific Region) and Rein Vervoort (Director Operations) and Giovanni Soranzo (Procurement & Merchandising Director Non Food)


http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/747/Metro78.jpg
Chief Minister Punjab, Ch. Pervaiz Elahi unveiling the plaque


http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/616/Metro92.jpg
[from left to right, front:]
James Scott (Chief Operating Officer METRO Cash & Carry International Asia Pacific Region), Muhammad Ajmal Cheema (Minister for Industries, Punjab), Henry Birr (METRO Group’s Vice President International Affairs) and Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi (Chief Minister Punjab)


http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/2443/Metro117.jpg


http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/8025/Metro120.jpg


http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/9861/Metro211.jpg

Images from METRO Cash & Carry centres from around the world:

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/6605/mcc-news-images-mcc-11.jpg
METRO Cash & Carry International HQ, Duesseldorf, Germany


http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/6259/300dpijapanfrontstore1.jpg


http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/2600/72dpiitalianfrontview1.jpg


http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/2971/300dpiitalIstituzfront.jpg


http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/2741/300dpiitalfruitshelves4.jpg


http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/944/300dpi20indian20shelve_custs.jpg

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/9526/mcc-news-images-products-9.jpg


http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/470/300dpichinesestoreindoor.jpg


http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/9413/300dpiitalianfish.jpg


website: http://www.metro-cc.com/

any body have renders? pics? and whats the area like?( location )

METRO Cash & Carry stores almost always look the same everywhere around the world. It will look very similar to the following store situated in Bangalore, India.

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/1401/72dpi20indian20frontviefl6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/1226/copyof72dpi20parking2yb4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Here's the location:
http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/7645/untitledlr9.th.jpg (http://img295.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitledlr9.jpg)

You can access it at wikimapia using the following link:
http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=31466520&x=74234962&z=16&l=0&m=a&v=2

Thanks for the pics, silal. But the Metro CnC would only allow registered shoppers to shop at their stores. Only businesses can become registered shoppers. :(

They should have some sort of a deal to distribute their membership though?

Its ONLY for businesses :?

What are these 'Metro Cash and Carry'? I have never heard of them before. Do we have'em in North America? anybody?

yeh in america people call them " costco" "bj's club " and "sams club". pretty much similar to these stores.

Another Makro's construction would begin soon on Model Town Link Road.

Yeah, METRO Cash & Carry is only for businesses. The company operates on very low margins. Selling in bulk (large quantities) allows them to make a profit on those low margins. Even the packaging is in bulk hence end consumers would not find it useful to shop there.

Thanks for your input ^^
So if these guys open up in Pakistan, a lot of small-businesses will roll out of business

these store do sell to nomal consumers other than buisnesses , as makro also said it will only entertain stores but its not so they do entertain daily consumers by giving them daily sale ticket to carry out there shopping

yeh regular shoppers have to pay 10 percent extra usually

No, METRO Cash & Carry will cater to small businesses, not provide competition. Their wholesale centers, as mentioned earlier, will serve businesses - the company is NOT into retailing. These small businesses will be able to purchase high quality products from METRO at competitive prices. In fact METRO Cash & Carry's core customers include small and medium retailers.

The company is also very systematic especially when it comes down to its business model. METRO Cash & Carry has a simple and effective business-to-business model which it will follow in Pakistan, just as it has in its 28 other countries.

And I've shopped at Makro myself, there is absolutely no surcharge if you are not a member.

Makro to come to Model Town:
The Makro Habib Cash And Carry Group will sign an agreement with the Model Town Society on Monday to open its second outlet of the city in Model Town. The Holland-based Makro Group deals in edibles and items of daily use. The group is investing about $150 million in Pakistan on the invitation of President Pervez Musharraf. Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi inaugurated the city’s first Makro store on Ravi Road a few weeks ago. The group plans to open five stores in Lahore. staff report

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\05\06\story_6-5-2007_pg7_39

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/3716/page1zm7.gif (http://imageshack.us)

ok, i am not one to complain but this is just ridiculous. CM was there for "inauguration ceremony" of a freaking bulk grocery store. Doesnt he have anything better to do!!!

ok, i am not one to complain but this is just ridiculous. CM was there for "inauguration ceremony" of a freaking bulk grocery store. Doesnt he have anything better to do!!!
Dude, I know. They inaugurate things like flyovers...

Beta, it is Pakistan! These things are new in Pakistan so people treat it as if it is a real blessing being conferred on them. The whole family probably dresses up real nice to go to Makro. :laugh:

150 million dollars in investment. some govn official better show up....

Beta, it is Pakistan! These things are new in Pakistan so people treat it as if it is a real blessing being conferred on them. The whole family probably dresses up real nice to go to Makro. :laugh:
You're actually not too far from the truth. I was just telling me friend that Pakistan's the only place where girls actually dress to go to malls. It's like a place they go out to. They way people say "I was at Park Towers", you'd think it's a freaking restaurant.

I've noticed the same thing with desis in the UK!

Out of place this question, but can anyone tell me if walmart is planing about coming to Pakistan?

Out of place this question, but can anyone tell me if walmart is planing about coming to Pakistan?
Not that I've heard of. And given their business model, not anytime soon.

There are other big ones coming to Paksitan. Carrefour, this another German giant I can't recall. And a couple of others.

Its actually a funny store but I heard that a fake Wal-Mart had opened up in Gulistan-e-Jauhar where that ARY Cash & Carry is now.

They later closed down though.

There are other big ones coming to Paksitan. Carrefour, this another German giant I can't recall. And a couple of others.

Carrefour is not certain to come to Pak, but Spinneys is definitely coming. Also, we are starting to have our home-grown supermarket chains, ARY Cash n' Carry, D-Mart...

True. They also claimed that they are the real WalMart! Funny thing is that they didn't copy any of the logos or look-n-feel of WalMart.

Carrefour is not certain to come to Pak, but Spinneys is definitely coming. Also, we are starting to have our home-grown supermarket chains, ARY Cash n' Carry, D-Mart...
Carrefour certainly is! Unless you got this piece of news recently. This another German chain is supposed to be investing $100+ million in here.

As for the **** chains, they are actally very small. And their business model isn't the same. Carrefour, etc. like to have huge stores and earn through economies of scale and hi turnover, low margin.

ARY Cash-n-Carry is a joke really. Dmart hardly has any stuff, half of the times you don't seem to find what you want. Naheed's (not a chain, a single store) is really really good though, but very very small. I went there once and would never again. At the checkout you get to smell all the variants of sweat. Freaking disgusting. I just left what I'd bought and left.

Carrefour is pure rumor

Carrefour builds in developed countries.

Carrefour is pure rumor
I'll try and find some more info on it.

The news of Carrefour coming to Pakistan did make rounds few months back, but it was perhaps a statement by French ambassador in a meeting with some Paksitani minister. I haven't heard any news of any representative from Carrefour coming to Pakistan. Pakistani minister's statements regarding international corporations coming to Pakistan are least reliable. Remember a minister claiming that DaimlerChrysler was going to invest US$ 5.5 billion for making their cars and trucks in Pakistan? Later DaimlerChrysler announced that they didn't have any such plans. Also US$ 5.5 billion is too huge an amount for an auto assembly plant. Small scale plants cost around US$ 10 to 50 million to erect. Also they have been claiming for long that Volkswagen and Renault are coming, but no signs yet.

Carrefour certainly is! Unless you got this piece of news recently. This another German chain is supposed to be investing $100+ million in here.

Umais, please find out any news link for this another German chain.
So far we have the following confirmed:

1. Makro - Netherlands - 2 stores open - 3rd opening soon - Land for 4th leased.
2. Metro - Germany - Headquarters inaugurated
3. Spinneys - First store announced to be opened in Sofitel Tower, Karachi.

Carrefour builds in developed countries.

No. Carrefour does have stores in developing countries. They are present in Colombia, Egypt, Indonesia, Thailand, Turkey etc. There's no reason why they can't be successful in Pakistan.

went to the makro on ravi rd in lahore about 2 months ago and found the prices to be within 1-3 rupees of what I pay in other shops. they did have a few loss leaders (e.g. philips 21" tv for 8,900; minced beef for 95/kg) but otherwise I didn't see any compelling reason to shop there. either the small shops are not gouging us, or makro is gouging us. my experience in business tells me that the smaller shops are gouging us and makro has chosen to take the low road and gouge us well (albeit only slightly less so).

my conclusion: don't waste your time going to makro more than once. if you do go, please do some price comparisons on staple goods (vegetables, pulses, grains, cooking oils, meats etc.) and then tell the rest of us whether makro is competitive on price, or not. i predict that metro and spinneys or what-have-you will also have prices that are within 10 rupees of the smaller shops on any given item (other than the advertised loss-leaders). with such a small price differential you would have to spend a few thousand rupees to "save" up to a hundred rupees or so.

as the great philosopher alfred e. neuman used to say: "ecchh!"

regards,
vadvaro

hmm

Umais, please find out any news link for this another German chain.
So far we have the following confirmed:

1. Makro - Netherlands - 2 stores open - 3rd opening soon - Land for 4th leased.
2. Metro - Germany - Headquarters inaugurated
3. Spinneys - First store announced to be opened in Sofitel Tower, Karachi.
I'll try to, it's also in one of these threads. They also had an ad in the Careers section in Dawn sometime back. About half a year or so.

I think we should create another thread for these new MNCs entering the wholesale/retail market. But while we're on the topic:

Umais, malpensa & shueyb:
Carrefour is definitely coming to Pakistan and will start hiring by late this year oe early next year. According to my source of information in the Punjab Government, they have leased the Fortress Expo Center in Lahore. There was even a news peice on this which I will try to find. Carrefour is a French chain, not a German one. It is the second largest retail company in the world after Wal-mart. You can visit their website at http://www.carrefour.com/

transistorized:
Wal-mart & TESCO: There were rumors regarding these, but these companies are just entering India at the moment, and as per my information, they will wait some time to enter the Pakistani market, if they do.

Umais & shueyb:
Rumors regarding "another" German chain: There are no other German chains entering the market at the moment. There has been news about German investment in the dairy sector, which could be the basis of this news.

transistorized & malpensa:
METRO Cash & Carry's investment is about 150 million euros (which, if you calculate, is a lot more than $150 million!) Other than this monetary investment, there will be investment in improving the supply chain, providing employment and improvements in quality. Companies like METRO are also indicators for other MNCs to enter the market since it provides the impression that the country's economy is progressing. To top it all off, METRO Group (METRO Cash & Carry's parent company) was until very recently the third largest retail/trading company in the world. Hence the CM's presence! :)

vadvaro:
Perhaps a price difference of Rs. 1-3 isn't as attractive to you, but imagine yourself buying in bulk. These Rs. 1-3 could make a lot of difference if you were buying large quantities numbering in about hundreds or even thousands. That is the wholesale model even though Makro is allowing retail at the moment. Everything about Makro (it's location, prices, setup) is geared towards wholesaling e.g. you can't purchase shoes until you purchase at least 3 and a normal consumer would spend more on petrol getting to its location than it would save by shopping there. You must realize that Makro and METRO will be distinguished from regular wholesale on aspects such as quality, reliability and transparency which you cannot get at regular wholesale markets. Makro is not supposed to be a retail outlet like Spinneys or Carrefour or even Wal-mart. It is targeted towards a very segmented market niche and that is what it caters. The fact that you and I can go shop there is a mere allowance in order to get more customers.

I do think Wal-Mart will eventually enter the Pakistani market.They are using india as a testing base for asia. If it suceeds (which I think it will), expect wal-mart in your area very soon.

I do think Wal-Mart will eventually enter the Pakistani market.They are using india as a testing base for asia. If it suceeds (which I think it will), expect wal-mart in your area very soon.

They most certainly will be here in the next 7 years or so considering that they will be in India very soon.

But I really really hope that they rather not. Walmart is one truly evil company. They are already paying below poverty level, making employees work off clock, even locking up employees in stores overnight - and thats here in US. Just think what they would do when they come to Pakistan.

PS: silal, thanks for answering our questions

I think we should create another thread for these new MNCs entering the wholesale/retail market. But while we're on the topic:

Umais, malpensa & shueyb:
Carrefour is definitely coming to Pakistan and will start hiring by late this year oe early next year. According to my source of information in the Punjab Government, they have leased the Fortress Expo Center in Lahore. There was even a news peice on this which I will try to find. Carrefour is a French chain, not a German one. It is the second largest retail company in the world after Wal-mart. You can visit their website at http://www.carrefour.com/

transistorized:
Wal-mart & TESCO: There were rumors regarding these, but these companies are just entering India at the moment, and as per my information, they will wait some time to enter the Pakistani market, if they do.

Umais & shueyb:
Rumors regarding "another" German chain: There are no other German chains entering the market at the moment. There has been news about German investment in the dairy sector, which could be the basis of this news.

transistorized & malpensa:
METRO Cash & Carry's investment is about 150 million euros (which, if you calculate, is a lot more than $150 million!) Other than this monetary investment, there will be investment in improving the supply chain, providing employment and improvements in quality. Companies like METRO are also indicators for other MNCs to enter the market since it provides the impression that the country's economy is progressing. To top it all off, METRO Group (METRO Cash & Carry's parent company) was until very recently the third largest retail/trading company in the world. Hence the CM's presence! :)

vadvaro:
Perhaps a price difference of Rs. 1-3 isn't as attractive to you, but imagine yourself buying in bulk. These Rs. 1-3 could make a lot of difference if you were buying large quantities numbering in about hundreds or even thousands. That is the wholesale model even though Makro is allowing retail at the moment. Everything about Makro (it's location, prices, setup) is geared towards wholesaling e.g. you can't purchase shoes until you purchase at least 3 and a normal consumer would spend more on petrol getting to its location than it would save by shopping there. You must realize that Makro and METRO will be distinguished from regular wholesale on aspects such as quality, reliability and transparency which you cannot get at regular wholesale markets. Makro is not supposed to be a retail outlet like Spinneys or Carrefour or even Wal-mart. It is targeted towards a very segmented market niche and that is what it caters. The fact that you and I can go shop there is a mere allowance in order to get more customers.

agreed, b2b is the only model that makes business sense; unless they're going into the real estate business (think mcdonald's in the 1980's in the US). if they're catering primarily to other businesses, then why don't these types of chains locate away from the high-density urban areas? case in point, metro trying to locate in model town. model town is populated mostly by residential homes, why should a large business serving mostly other businesses be allowed to locate on an amenity plot? why don't they locate somewhere along multan road or on ferozepur rd past the bridge towards kanay kacchay village? quality, reliability and transparency? my fear is that the business administration of the foreign companies will become co-opted and indeginized to become like the pakistani based businesses they're supposed to compete with. case in point, most foreign based companies in pakistan have to bribe their way into sla's and into permitting by govt entities. even if the bribery is not institutionalized (think london metro cab scheme, pakistan steel mills and the imaginary mercedes truck assembly plant near lahore), then it is still practiced at the individual level (think on any number of individuals being pursued by the courts, one example being abid saigol in the case of mohib textile mills. it may just end up being more of the same old same old. let's hope for the best.

regards,

vadvaro

Silal, thanks.

Carrefour will be opening its store at Dolmen City. I just wanted to confirm it for shuyeb. And yeah, it's French, never said it was German, actually it was another German firm I was thinking of besides MEtro. As you said there's not any other firm, then it must be in some other related business. I still remember the news item that said a total of $350 million by two German groups.

As for Makro, you're spot on. FINALLY someone understnads that it's b2b. I've gone hoarse telling that to everyone. valdaro, in Karachi it actually is situated in an industrial area. Dunno why they selected a residential area in Lahore. Also, my friend was complaining that the prices thre weren't all that low. I just wanted to slap him, but stopped short.

As for WalMart, I don't think it's too successful outside of the Americas. Personally, I don't see it coming to Pakistan. In here there's a perception that the "kiryana" store is for the poor. Marts/supermarkets/etc. are for the rich. Very hard to break that mold. I don't know how things work in India, so won't comment on that.

Silal, thanks.

Carrefour will be opening its store at Dolmen City. I just wanted to confirm it for shuyeb. And yeah, it's French, never said it was German, actually it was another German firm I was thinking of besides MEtro. As you said there's not any other firm, then it must be in some other related business. I still remember the news item that said a total of $350 million by two German groups.

As for Makro, you're spot on. FINALLY someone understnads that it's b2b. I've gone hoarse telling that to everyone. valdaro, in Karachi it actually is situated in an industrial area. Dunno why they selected a residential area in Lahore. Also, my friend was complaining that the prices thre weren't all that low. I just wanted to slap him, but stopped short.

As for WalMart, I don't think it's too successful outside of the Americas. Personally, I don't see it coming to Pakistan. In here there's a perception that the "kiryana" store is for the poor. Marts/supermarkets/etc. are for the rich. Very hard to break that mold. I don't know how things work in India, so won't comment on that.

it's a good thing you didn't slap your friend; he might have slapped you back.

okay, so if makro is supposed to be b2b and if the piyaz there is 13 rs/kg and i can buy it for 15 rs/kg in the sabzi mandi then does that mean that the shopkeeper buying from makro for resale at his own shop is only going to get a 2 rs gross margin? i know that rehri walas and dukandars have a much higher gm than a few rs per kg; go to the sabzi mandi neelams at the opening and close of each workday and you can work out the gm yourself based on the winning thoke bid and the subsequent retail price at the rehri or stall (in the same mandi mind you). it doesn't make good business sense to be buying from makro for resale at such a thin margin.

maybe makro offers a discount to business members (which i didn't get because i shopped on a day pass for non-business members). i could get a business membership but am not entirely sold on the idea without knowing how much of a discount i'd get. can anyone else here tell us if there is a b2b discount? if yes, then how much of a discount is it, off the posted prices? what's their phone number anyway? i'm not driving to 75 ravi rd to answer this question.

inquiring minds want to know.

regards,

vadvaro

He was talking about Lurpak butter (the best butter in the world might I add).

Secondly, it's NOT a discount. The things are sold at wholesale prices. NOT the same thing as a discount. I honestly don't get what people aren't getting. It's like a glorified sabzi mandi that sells everything. And like I said it won't make any sense for you to go there, unless you have a family of 40. I just don't get why people can't understand this simple simple simple concept.

I guess people are looking for half priced products :dunno:

Is Carrefour coming on its own or through a franchisee? In most of the Middle East, Carrefour hypermarkets are run by their master franchisee, Majid Al-Futtaim.

KARACHI: A Canadian company is planning to set up a new chain of mini-departmental stores under the banner of “Value Bazaar” all over Pakistan.

At a press conference held at the Karachi Press Club on Wednesday, CE0 Bazaar Anjum Laiq said the departmental stores would introduce a new concept of retail market in the country, which will facilitate the masses and create multiple business and job opportunities for Pakistani citizens.

The company would invest Rs200 million to establish regional corporate stores in Sindh in the first designed project, which could facilitate 30 outlets, to be established next year. Meanwhile, the first outlet of departmental store would start its operation by upcoming July in Karachi.

Detailing the features of Value Bazaar, he said the departmental stores will provide all the basic necessities of the people under one roof besides groceries which includes meat and dairy products, house ware, glassware and hardware, health and beauty products, paper and plastic products, cleaning supplies, confectioneries, audio and video, gift items and toy, party items and craft, stationary and greeting cards, fashion accessories and many other items.

He said the merchandise would be brought in the outlets from various countries on competitive rates.

The company is currently working under the banner of “Dollar Bazaar” in 176 stores of Canada. This would be first ever investment outside the Canada.

Anjum Laiq mentioned that Pakistan is very lucrative market for foreign investors with its large population, investment friendly policies and a demography that speaks of potentially higher consumer spending.

He said the interested entrepreneurs could seek franchise outlets with an investment of Rs15 million while the company would share 25 per cent investment in franchise.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=44890

I guess people are looking for half priced products :dunno:
Good luck to them!

@shueyb
Not sure about that. But don't recall reading anything about a partnership, so maybe they're coming on their own.

They most certainly will be here in the next 7 years or so considering that they will be in India very soon.

But I really really hope that they rather not. Walmart is one truly evil company. They are already paying below poverty level, making employees work off clock, even locking up employees in stores overnight - and thats here in US. Just think what they would do when they come to Pakistan.

PS: silal, thanks for answering our questions

Wal-Mart pay above minimum wage and offer more generous health and pension benefits than their competitors. They're unlikely to come to Pakistan though since a lot of their overseas outlets have faltered. Tesco have more chance of success here.

Maybe local chains like Naheed and D-Mart can setup their own large wholesale stores :dunno: ?

Wal-Mart pay above minimum wage and offer more generous health and pension benefits than their competitors. They're unlikely to come to Pakistan though since a lot of their overseas outlets have faltered. Tesco have more chance of success here.

I know we are drifting off topic here again, but just wanted to clear this point up. No cactus, ofcourse they pay above min-wage (everyone has to) but what they do is they only have people working for an average of 26hours/week. This earns them roughly 10k/year, which is lower than the poverty level in US.

As for their health plan, they only offer it to full-time employee and try to keep most of their employees at half-time so they can not qualify for it. Plus, their health plan is really crappy so most of their employees end up using the public health plan (medicaid) anyways.

yes All Walmart have like 40 checkout counters and 2 are usually open!!!!

thats how they make their money. you have to weight like 30 minutes in line at checkout to buy 95 dollars worth of stuff u can get for $100 at another store without waiting

You have to pay at least the minimum wage, not a cent above it.

I have a number of friends who worked there while in high school\college or for some extra cash while they were starting out. When the "Is Wal-Mart evil?" topics start up, they tend to back the company.

Most of the jobs they have on offer are unskilled ones which aren't going to allow you to buy a house in the burbs, two cars and put your children through college. They are however easy to obtain if you're in need of extra cash and don't have much to offer to better-paying employers.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/workplace/2003-02-09-wal-mart-cov2_x.htm

That offers a fair enough perspective from both sides.

Everyone advocating for Walmart, needs to watch the documentary "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price" made on Walmart! Its an eye-opener! I havent set foot in a Walmart ever since I saw that documentary.




Well except for that one time when I couldnt find the laughing elmo anywhere. :tongue3:

STORE MANAGER / FLOOR MANAGERS-METRO Cash & Carry-Pakistan
By Pakistan Jobs Bank -Jobs And Career Pakistan | Published 07/10/2007 | Jobs in Lahore , Jobs in Pakistan | Unrated

STORE MANAGER / FLOOR MANAGERS-METRO Cash & Carry-Pakistan
METRO Cash & Carry is the international market leader in self-service wholesale. For over 40 years, the company has been providing its professional customers with a one-stop purchasing solution for high-quality and low-priced products. Today the company is present in 29 countries with over 580 wholesale centers, each offering over 20,000 food and non-food articles.

METRO Cash & Carry employs more than 100,000 people across the world and in many regions is among with largest employers. We believe that qualified, highly-motivated employees create the foundations needed for successful expansion on an international level and sustained growth of the wholesaling company Performance-driven approach, openness and internationally are key ingredients of the corporate culture that we practice. We welcome you to join us towards our paths of growth.

STORE MANAGER (FOR ISLAMABAD & KARACHI)
Responsibility for overall operations and management of a Store.

ROLE:
* To implement corporate policy and take all strategic decisions in the store.

* To be responsible for achieving sales & cost targets, maintaining stock levels through compliance of corporate operating procedures and effective management of store personnel.

* To effectively manage the external relationships with customers and other parties such as governmental bodies and communities to enhance the image and reputation of the company.

* To take responsibilities for store compliance with Health and Safely regulations to protect both employees and customers.

* To provide professional training in order to develop qualified and motivated staff for managerial positions within the company.

* To ensure the company and legal standards are achieved in all aspect of store operations such as hygiene, display, housekeeping, appearance and performance of the employees, etc.

REQUIREMENTS:
* MBA or specialized degree in wholesale / retail management

* Minimum 5 years managerial experience, preferably in service oriented businesses, such as hotels, fast fold outlets, department stores or supermarkets, managing sizable workforce in meeting sales targets. International Work Experience will be a plus.

* Excellent leadership skills.

* Broad understanding of financials functions

* Excellent communication & interpersonal skills

* User knowledge of PC work (MS Windows),

* Cross cultural competence

* Flexible for traveling and working across the country.


FLOOR MANAGERS (FOR ISLAMABAD & KARACHI)
Managing all the strategic functions of the floor, which includes, achieving goals in stock and service levels, sales forecast, budgeting and managing people.

ROLE:
* Lead and train & team of around 30-40 people.

* Responsible for in-store customer services

* Ensuring shelf availability of merchandise

* Executing lay-ousts and promotions according to the company standards

* Making of budgets and sales forecasts

* Controlling cost and shrinkage

* Formulating business strategies to achieve the targets set for the allocated floor.

REQUIREMENTS:
* MBA or equivalent degree

* 6-8 years experience in Consumer durables sales role

* Analytical and strategic competence

* Cross cultural competence

* Flexible for traveling and working across the country.

DEPARTMENT MANAGERS (FOR ISLAMABAD & KARACHI)
Managing all the activities of the assigned department, which includes, achieving goals in stock and service levels, sales forecast, preparing budgets for the department and managing people.

DEPARTMENT DETAILS: Meat / Fish, Fruits & Vegetables / Bakery, Security. Customer Services / Check out. Electronics Sports Goods and Goods Receiving.

ROLE:
* Leading a team of 20-25 people

* To carry out communication with customers, finding out and responding to their requests. Provision of highly positive and customer-oriented approach in the whole department.

* Forecasting sales and preparing budgets for the department.

* Ordering goods, provision of their replenishment and placement. Executing lay-outs and promotions according to the company standards.

REQUIREMENTS:
* Masters in business or equivalent degree

* 2-4 years of relevant work experience at a supervisory level.

* Flexible for traveling and working across the county.



Please send your applications before 22nd July to:

Head Office
METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan,
Recruitment Section,
Human Resource Department
44-A Main Gulberg,
Lahore 54660
E-Mail: hr.careers@metro.pk

Note: Please mention the position title in the subject line of your e-mail and or on the envelope of your job application.

International website: http://www.metro-cc.com
http://career.webtechvision.com/articles/380/1/STORE-MANAGER--FLOOR-MANAGERS-METRO-Cash--Carry-Pakistan/Page1.html

I have some news on Metro/Makro and Carrefour, but it's highly confidential!

BTW, Carrefour is certainly coming. If they end up not coming, that'd be coz of a change in decision, not coz it was a rumor.

I have some news on Metro/Makro and Carrefour, but it's highly confidential!

We won't tell anyone.

http://www.dawn.com/images/cowas1.jpg


Webb Ground



By Ardeshir Cowasjee


TO open, an extract from the Gazetteer of the Province of Sind, B Volume I, 1919, Karachi District (p.37), chapter headed ‘Education’ : “The Karachi Narayan Jagarnath (NJ) High School was the first government school established in Sindh. It was opened in October 1855 with 68 boys.

The building, which was situated at the junction of the Bandar and Mission Roads..... was superseded in 1876 by the present buildings, which have cost (inclusive of additions in 1896 and 1900) Rs63,294 and provide accommodation for 17 classes.

The number on the rolls in March 1916 was 477, of whom 350 were Hindus, 32 Brahmins, 10 Jains, 12 Mussalmans, 66 Parsis and seven Indian Jews.... Mr Narayan Jagarnath, in whose honour the school was named, was one of those educated Bombay men with whose help the initial difficulties of introducing education in the province in which neither books nor teachers existed, was successfully overcome.”

Now, who was it who said that a few cannot change the destiny of many? The 12 (2.5 per cent of the total of 477) were the forefathers of the now 170 millions who inhabit the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Jamshed Nusserwanjee Mehta was elected a councilor of Karachi in 1918, and in 1922 elected president of the Council. He became the first mayor of the city in 1933 when the Karachi Municipal Corporation was formed.

On his retirement in 1937 Sir Montagu de Pomeroy Webb, doyen of Karachi’s British community, recorded : ‘I consider that Jamshed has done greater and better work for Karachi – for its citizens and the people of Sind – than any other individual private citizen of this capital whom I can remember. His sacrifices of time, money, strength and peace of mind have been unequalled and wholly admirable. The city owes him an immeasurable debt of gratitude which I hope that each and every community will ungrudgingly recognise’.”

I hope his young successor, Mustapha Kamal, is reading this. It may further inspire him.

Now to the subject of this column, Webb ground, a five-acre playing field in Tunisia Lines, off Sharea Faisal. Long used, for close to 80 years, as an institutional sports field by the Karachi Grammar School, it was integrated into the Lines Area Redevelopment Scheme in the mid-1980s and used as a playground for the neighbourhood housing some 200,000 residents.

In disregard of all that is proper, this amenity plot was leased to the Army Welfare Trust (why?) which, in further disregard of what is proper, correct and lawful, has sub-leased it to a concern known as Makro-Habib (why?) which intends to build on it a gigantic ‘Cash & Carry’ store. The local residents, whose children have been deprived of an open playing field where they play, lounge around, sleep and enjoy ‘lung-space’, have plans to challenge this illicit conversion in court.

The Army Welfare Trust and Makro-Habib stand guilty of illegal commercialisation of a five-acre open space. It emerges that Makro-Habib is an old hand at the conversion of amenity spaces.

A number of residents of Model Town Society in Lahore have been battling in the Lahore High Court for the past year over the ‘commercialisation’ by Makro-Habib of 80 kanals (10 acres) of a garden plot in their society.

Quoted hereunder is an excerpt from the November 11, 2006, observations of the learned single judge, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, in the judgment handed down in the writ petition dealing with the issue:

“Similarly, it was also stressed very vehemently that the proposed project constitutes economic growth and will bring financial benefit to the country, city and the locality. In this behalf, suffice it to say that no doubt foreign investment is to be encouraged but foreign investors are not above the law and must conform to laws of the land and must necessarily also exhibit sensitivity to the rights and privileges of the inhabitants of the area. The learned counsel for the petitioner has rightly drawn the distinction between growth and development. The two concepts are not synonymous and all growth must be measured against the collateral damage accrued thereby. Even otherwise, growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of a cancer cell.”

History will record the growth of various forms of ‘cancer’ in our society : the conversion of parks and playgrounds, the construction of grandiose projects on the remaining open spaces and beaches, the attempts to establish a ‘world-class city’ in Karachi, a city in which over half its population resides in katchi abadis, where a polluted and inadequate water supply is distributed, where 400 million gallons per day of raw sewage is dumped into the sea.

On June 24, the press informed us that Justice M Bilal Khan of the Lahore High Court referred to the Chief Justice to fix before another bench two petitions challenging the construction of the Makro Cash and Carry Store in Model Town on an amenity plot. The court had already stayed the construction.

The president of the Model Town Residents’ Association, Amer Bakht Azam, and Dr Anis Alam and Zafar Masood, residents of an adjoining locality, submitted that an amenity plot could not be converted into a commercial area, as this would violate the fundamental rights of the petitioners. They claimed that the land was an open space for the residents and its commercial use would not only cause traffic problems but also inflict health hazards on the citizens.

Through the columns of this newspaper, I address a letter to our Governor, Dr Ishrat ul Ebad, with the hope that he will come to the aid of just a few of his beleaguered citizens who inhabit the vast and ever-growing city of Karachi :

“Dear Governor : The unlawful commercialisation of the sole playground in Lines Area – apropos our telephone conversation of July 13.

“The NGO Shehri asked me to meet some hundred residents of the Lines Area who were up in arms and protesting against the capture by the Army Welfare Trust and Makro-Habib of Webb Ground, a five-acre playing field in their neighbourhood that I had written about in my column of February 18, 2007. I agreed to meet two representatives on July 12 — former Union Council Nazim, Mehfooz Ul Nabi Khan and Lines Area Sports Association Secretary, Arshad Ali Jan.

“They inform me that up to 2002 Webb Ground was used as a playing field for children and sportspeople of the area, and as an Eidgah twice a year. It is shown as a playground in layouts of the Lines Area Redevelopment Project (KDA Scheme No 35) and on maps of the Military Estates Officer.

“In December 2002, for reasons unknown (money? scam?), the playground was leased to the Army Welfare Trust (AWT) for commercial purposes. AWT in turn sub-leased it in 2006 to Makro-Habib for the construction of a 'Cash & Carry Store', which construction is underway at the site. Such commercial use of a public amenity plot, especially in a deprived and poor locality, is criminal.

“The area residents have collected Rs.30,000 to file a writ in the high court. It is doubtful that such meagre resources will enable them to achieve much. Additional funds are difficult to raise as many of those concerned seem to be apprehensive of the area’s MQM activists.

“May I request that you intervene and ensure that the playground is restored for the beneficial use of the thousands of Lines Area residents? They are eager to come and explain the problem to you at your convenience. Enclosed are copies of plans/drawings and relevant newspaper cuttings.

“With my best wishes to you for your continued sincere efforts to do good for the people of this province and city......”

arfc@cyber.net.pk

Dawn Online Edition July 16, 2007 (http://www.dawn.com/weekly/cowas/cowas.htm)

Summarize please!

^^ I know that piece of land. Cowasjee is right, it should not have been built upon.

Karachi has been turned into a concrete jungle by unscrupulous developers and government functionaries. Most land that was meant for open spaces has been built upon.

It sucks to see that this racket is still going on.

I've always noticed that Karachi lacks a lot of greenery, I guess this explains why. Is should be a main concern of the city officials, greenery is quite important.

Back to the topic: I'm having doubts about Wal-Mart coming to Pakistan, infact I don't want them to come, it will ruin the little man's business!

BTW, Carrefour is certainly coming. If they end up not coming, that'd be coz of a change in decision, not coz it was a rumor.

Thats would be great. Carrefour is quite a huge chain of supermarkets and their products are both good and affordable.

Thats would be great. Carrefour is quite a huge chain of supermarkets and their products are both good and affordable.
Yeah. They'd be coming end-2007 or early 2008.

Yeah. They'd be coming end-2007 or early 2008.

Karachi?

I'm sure they havent finalized a location yet, or have they?

Karachi?

I'm sure they havent finalized a location yet, or have they?
Karachi, and yes they have.

and the location is dolmen city .. :lol: :lol: :lol:

^^ Serious??

Wouldnt be surprised, D-Mart also opened up on Sea View.

I have some news on Metro/Makro and Carrefour, but it's highly confidential!

O really, about all three of them? Do you want us to implore you for that? :poke: C'mon, out with it.

Wouldnt be surprised, D-Mart also opened up on Sea View.

there is alredy a d mart in seaview :P

Highly confidential? Come tell us who told you.

*hint*

Highly confidential? Come tell us who told you.

*hint*
My friend's at P&G, and works in Sales. They obviously work very closely with Makro. So, I was helping him by making Makro's and P&G's joint sales strategy.

oh

My friend's at P&G, and works in Sales. They obviously work very closely with Makro. So, I was helping him by making Makro's and P&G's joint sales strategy.

:ohno:

You should have kept that a secret. Atleast, we were all thinking that makro would be a great success.

Letter in Dawn:

Webb Ground

ARDESHIR Cowasjee’s column, ‘Webb Ground’ (July 15) brought back youthful memories of Grammar School days. We had our cricket matches in the Webb Ground and also our annual sports functions. When I heard that the army had taken over the Webb Ground, I took an appointment with the corps commander. He was an old Grammarian too. He was Lt-Gen Tariq W. Ghazi. The principal of KGS, Colin Wrigley, and I went and saw him in his headquarters. We requested and pleaded with him to maintain it as a sports complex with a proper stadium and boundary walls. Citizens and schools, including KGS, could use it for its sporting events. He expressed his inability. We returned with a heavy heart. I hope the courts can provide justice by preventing the amenity plot from being converted into a commercial jungle. IFTIKHAR SOOMRO Karachi

http://epaper.dawn.com/artMailDisp.aspx?article=21_07_2007_006_004&typ=0

Letter in Dawn:

Webb Ground

ARDESHIR Cowasjee’s column, ‘Webb Ground’ (July 15) brought back youthful memories of Grammar School days. We had our cricket matches in the Webb Ground and also our annual sports functions. When I heard that the army had taken over the Webb Ground, I took an appointment with the corps commander. He was an old Grammarian too. He was Lt-Gen Tariq W. Ghazi. The principal of KGS, Colin Wrigley, and I went and saw him in his headquarters. We requested and pleaded with him to maintain it as a sports complex with a proper stadium and boundary walls. Citizens and schools, including KGS, could use it for its sporting events. He expressed his inability. We returned with a heavy heart. I hope the courts can provide justice by preventing the amenity plot from being converted into a commercial jungle. IFTIKHAR SOOMRO Karachi

http://epaper.dawn.com/artMailDisp.aspx?article=21_07_2007_006_004&typ=0


:ohno:

Fahad, merge these threads and change the title to 'The Retail Sector'

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=324149

Fahad, merge these threads and change the title to 'The Retail Sector'

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=14622981#post14622981

French retail company, Carrefour, will start operating in Karachi by next year, said Consul-General of France in Karachi Pierre Seillan while talking to APP on Friday. He said that Carrefour had sent its representative to make preparations for the purpose. Seillan said that the French company would open a huge retail facility in the city. APP


City Mayor said that world-renowned retail giants are interested in opening their outlets in Karachi. "We have been in talks with Carrefour and Metro — international retail companies belonging to France and Germany respectively," Kamal said in an exclusive chat with Khaleej Times yesterday. He said that the representatives of Carrefour had visited Karachi recently. "On the basis of a well-planned survey, we have identified several locations to them.
"Now they will choose seven of the identified locations to open as many outlets of Carrefour in the city," he said, expressing the hope that a deal would be struck with the French company within a month.

Told you they were coming. But 7 stores?? That's a lot!

Told you they were coming. But 7 stores?? That's a lot!

It's the City Mayor who says so, so y'know....

Ok Umais you were right i admit it my mistake.... ur credibility will now be increased.....:)


Franchising Carrefour between Tripoli and Karachi
Market Vision
Since 2000 the Majid Al Futtaim Group has been expanding its shopping mall/hypermarket business across the border, after successfully establishing its business in its domestic market, the United Arab Emirates. It is the intention of François de Montaudouin – chief executive since 2004 – to expand the business by franchising the Carrefour brand roughly between Tripoli and Karachi. A difficult region which has to deal with social and economic inequalities and political tensions.
Elsevier Food International, Vol.9, Number 2, May 2006 Pascal Kuipers

“We are not interested in what I call ‘French North Africa’, so in the west we won’t go beyond Libya. To the east we are looking at markets like Iran and Pakistan. India is too far away for us.” François de Montaudouin, chief executive of Majid Al Futtaim Group, roughly points out the geographical area in which the Dubai, UAE, based retailer intends to build a business.

http://www.foodinternational.net/articles/market-vision/340/franchising-carrefour-between-tripoli-and-karachi.html

Some high level metro officials r in Islamabad for abt 3 - 4 days I can't prove it but i know ;)

Right about what?

Right about what?

that Carrefour is coming to Pakistan :)

Franchising Carrefour between Tripoli and Karachi
Market Vision
Since 2000 the Majid Al Futtaim Group has been expanding its shopping mall/hypermarket business across the border, after successfully establishing its business in its domestic market, the United Arab Emirates. It is the intention of François de Montaudouin – chief executive since 2004 – to expand the business by franchising the Carrefour brand roughly between Tripoli and Karachi. A difficult region which has to deal with social and economic inequalities and political tensions.
Elsevier Food International, Vol.9, Number 2, May 2006 Pascal Kuipershttp://www.foodinternational.net/articles/market-vision/340/franchising-carrefour-between-tripoli-and-karachi.html

So Carrefour isn't coming on its own, but through their master franchisee Majid Al Futtaim (MAF).

^^
of course it will be Carrefour .... the name will remain same ... whenever such market chains outsource business.... its a JV with a local/regional company.

So Carrefour isn't coming on its own, but through their master franchisee Majid Al Futtaim (MAF).
Don't really see any difference. It'd be the SAME EXACT thing, just a difference of ownership. Substance over form...

I never said its going to make any difference. :) All the Carrefour hypermarkets I have visited so far in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Riyadh are managed by MAF. However, in some countries Carrefour and other such multinationals establish their own operations instead of going through the franchise route. The hypermarkets managed by franchisees do not appear in the Carrefour group's global map: http://www.carrefour.com/cdc/interactive-trip/
Usually, but not necessarily, a multinational's operations in any country receive more attention from the headquarters if it's a wholly owned subsidiary, and its growth may be more aggressive if backed by the huge resource pool of the headquarter itself, instead of the franchisee.

This thread should be merged with this: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=461340&page=5
and renamed 'Supermarkets / Hypermarkets Sector' or better still 'Wholesale and Retail Chains'.

This thread should be merged with this: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=461340&page=5
and renamed 'Supermarkets / Hypermarkets Sector' or better still 'Wholesale and Retail Chains'.

Also this one http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=14622981#post14622981

merged :cheers:

What's a hypermarket?

Supermarket:
A large self-service grocery store selling groceries and dairy products and household goods.

Hypermarket( usually britE)
A huge supermarket (usually built on the outskirts of a town).

they caled me today asked me if i wanted some card cuz they inagurated one in saddar so if i get the card ill get entry to the place !

hey !

anyone get the pics of new MAKRO center (Saddar)

Supermarket:
A large self-service grocery store selling groceries and dairy products and household goods.

Hypermarket( usually britE)
A huge supermarket (usually built on the outskirts of a town).

And what's a department store, and what is a cash'n'carry? And what is the difference between all these? And how large does a supermarket needs to grow to become a hypermarket? :nuts:

And what's a department store, and what is a cash'n'carry? And what is the difference between all these? And how large does a supermarket needs to grow to become a hypermarket? :nuts:

Well.... Kmart,Sears and JCPenney are "department stores", where there are different departments for all kinds of goods. Department stores are convenient because customers can go to just one place and shop instead of going to several different places, ie: a shoe store, a hardware store, a clothing store etc.

A "cash n' carry" is a term that I believe originated in the U.K. In Pakistan the traditional "parchoon kee dukaan" or "provisional store" consists of a person behind a counter, customers are not allowed behind the counter and whatever the customer needs, they have to first tell the clerk behind the counter and then the clerk fetches the item for the customer. Now the Supermarket revolutionized this whole procedure by giving the customer the ability to go behind the counter with a cart and pick out what they want themselves because according to a study conducted in the U.S. back in the 40's, a consumer will buy more if they are given the ability to "browse the wares" themselves. That study resulted in the first "cash n' carry" or (as is better known throughout the world) "supermarket" opening in the U.S. which was called "The Piggly Wiggly", branches of which function till this day. :yes:

And the name "hypermarket" is mostly used in Europe. A Hypermarket, by American standards, is a place where a consumer can buy everything they would usually get in a Supermarket, but in larger quantities! The larger quantities enables the "Hypermarket" to keep the prices low because they make profit off of quantity. For example I can buy a box of "Honey Bunches of Oats" (a cereal, my favorite :colgate:) for 4 bucks in a supermarket (Shoprite or Foodtown) but in a hypermarket (BJ's, Sams Club) I can get a box twice the size, of that available in a supermarket, for half the price! :eat:

And finally, there is the wholesale hypermarket. In North America, there is a chain called "Jetro". they sell everything whole without opening the box, for example if I wanted to buy laundry detergent then I would have to buy a whole box containing 6 gallons as opposed to just one gallon. I would have to buy chicken drumsticks by the dozen, and soda by the crate. This type of enterprise functions on the same profit-making principles as a hypermarket but it is designed for "re-sellers or retailers". For example most of the people who own convenience stores go to Jetro to buy everything in wholesale at a cheap price and then sell it in their neighborhood store with a marked up price. People are willing to pay the markup because it saves them the hassle of going to a wholesale market and buying in bulk.

Phew! All that explaining made me hungry!

^^ Okay, hypermarket is the same as supermarket, but larger. Probably there may be a floor space threshold or number of cash out counters, crossing which supermarket will graduate into a hypermarket. Fine. But I couldn't really get the difference between department store and supermarket.

Metro Cash and Carry centre being opened in capital

ISLAMABAD: A wholesale centre of Metro Cash and Carry Pakistan is being opened in the federal capital.

Board of Investment (BoI) Secretary Mushtaq Malik performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the centre here in Sector I-11/4 on Thursday.

The centre of Metro Cash and Carry, which is a German company, will cover an area of about 12 acres of land.

He said the government would extend its support to the company to establish its stores in Gujranwala, Multan and Faisalabad.

Speaking on the occasion, Metro Cash and Carry International Asia Pacific’s Regional Operating Officer James Scott said Pakistan was a country with a lot of opportunities for investors. He said initially his company would invest 150 million euros to set up its business in Pakistan.

He said the company was planning to open the wholesale centre in Islamabad by December this year. He said the company had set up its centre in Lahore earlier.

Scott said the company would focus only on commercial customers such as hotels and restaurants as well as small and middle size retailers and other service companies.

He said the company would strengthen local suppliers by building their capabilities and providing them with marketing opportunities and up to 90 percent of the products would be supplied locally.

Scott said the company had planned to run a farmers’ training programme to build the capacity of farmers by improving the marketing and supply chain.

He said this would help farmers produce export quality fruits and vegetables that would enable them to compete in the international market.

The official said each wholesale centre would employ about 300 people from the local community. “About 150 people will be employed for auxiliary services as well as 200 people at the company’s headquarters in Lahore,” he said.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C08%5C24%5Cstory_24-8-2007_pg11_6

^^ Okay, hypermarket is the same as supermarket, but larger. Probably there may be a floor space threshold or number of cash out counters, crossing which supermarket will graduate into a hypermarket. Fine. But I couldn't really get the difference between department store and supermarket.

Ok first of all, please change your avatar! The look you have on your face in that pictures gives me the feeling that your visually raping me! :shifty:


:shifty:


....



STOP OOGLING AT ME!




:shifty:




Moving on..... (:shifty:)


Instead of actually explaining the difference between the two, I will simply tell you which chain is a supermaket and which is a departmental store.

K-mart is a departmental store
Safeway is a supermarket
Macy's is a departmental store
Piggly Wiggly is a supermarket


Get it?










































































:shifty:

^^ what a waste of space :runaway:

^^
I always like how he (oogabooga) uses the gestures and narrates his situation.

:) hamara oogabooga zindabad :)

^^
I always like how he (oogabooga) uses the gestures and narrates his situation.

:) hamara oogabooga zindabad :)

Awww! :hug:


Aao sub mil kar bolo! OOGABOOGA ZINDABAAD! :lol:

^^ what a waste of space :runaway:

Oye roleprint!

Kya bey? :sly:




:tongue3:

Ok first of all, please change your avatar! The look you have on your face in that pictures gives me the feeling that your visually raping me! :shifty:

Moving on..... (:shifty:)


Instead of actually explaining the difference between the two, I will simply tell you which chain is a supermaket and which is a departmental store.

K-mart is a departmental store
Safeway is a supermarket
Macy's is a departmental store
Piggly Wiggly is a supermarket

Get it?

Alright avatar will be changed shortly, because, as you told me, it has achieved its purpose. :colgate:
Moving on,
No, didn't get it. I don't live in America, okay. Haven't ever heard about these stores. If you expect me to go googling for what kinds of stores are these, I better google for the difference between supermarket and department store (didn't find it, btw). You're confusing me more than helping me. :|

ok a supermarket is your neighborhood chachu's grocery store, a department store is your "durze wali" dukon, and a hypermart is ur rich friends uncles "haleem ghar , butt cloth house, and utility stores all in one dukon " hope that helps :0

Alright avatar will be changed shortly, because, as you told me, it has achieved its purpose. :colgate:
Moving on,
No, didn't get it. I don't live in America, okay. Haven't ever heard about these stores. If you expect me to go googling for what kinds of stores are these, I better google for the difference between supermarket and department store (didn't find it, btw). You're confusing me more than helping me. :|

:no:


*gives up*

I passed by Makro Saddar... its in Lines area near St. Pats. The road to and from it is very horrible however -- almost completely broken up with lots of ditches. So I dont think they will get much business till it gets repaired. Also, seems like construction still hasnt finished cause there is a lot of construction machinery on site, however the store has started functioning.

^^

any pics plzzzzzzzz

ok a supermarket is your neighborhood chachu's grocery store, a department store is your "durze wali" dukon, and a hypermart is ur rich friends uncles "haleem ghar , butt cloth house, and utility stores all in one dukon " hope that helps :0

:hilarious

I shopped at it yesterday. Sorry forgot to take my camera along, but since it is close to my house, I think I will be making many more trips and then will try and get some photos too.

As far as the interior goes, it is amazing by Pakistani standards. Parking is immense and is on the ground floor under the building. From the parking lot, you climb up to the store level on a great moving escalator belt -- the kind you see in airports! -- and then inside, its like a Sam's Club store in the US. Great development for Pakistan!

^^
thanks for the updates .... :cheers:

but they sell in bulk only? right?

Can anyone tell me why there are no proper shopping malls in Pakistan like there are in the UK. I was in Pakistan this summer and went to Jinnah Super in Islamabad and although the shops were ok the setting was awful. There was no proper parking and the pavements and roads and general layout was very substandard. Pakistan needs to have larger shops with a larger floor space and the shops need to have proper dedicated parking!

Freakymango: type "The Centaurus" in google

Can anyone tell me why there are no proper shopping malls in Pakistan like there are in the UK. I was in Pakistan this summer and went to Jinnah Super in Islamabad and although the shops were ok the setting was awful. There was no proper parking and the pavements and roads and general layout was very substandard. Pakistan needs to have larger shops with a larger floor space and the shops need to have proper dedicated parking!

There are many shopping malls in Pakistan, but none in Islamabad.

There are many shopping malls in Pakistan, but none in Islamabad.
What happened to Awami Markaz ISB? Where was it, I can hardly remember. I remember going there when it was inaugurated. Benazir Era, I think. It was in the night, can't remember much. I think it was 5-story building.

^^ that is now converted into the STP-1, its been quite a while.

Standard temperature and pressure?

Software technology park :)

FreakyMango is right, our govt. or shop owners must pay good attention to our markets condition. Karachi or Lahore bazaars are much worst than Jinnah super market.

Software technology park :)
I actually thought it was better than Karachi's (at that time when I was a kid). What do you know, the Karachi one's still there.

I actually thought it was better than Karachi's (at that time when I was a kid). What do you know, the Karachi one's still there.

yes, Karachi Awami markaz is located at Sharah-e-Faisal.

http://www.makroasia.com/makropakistanimages/pak02.jpg

http://www.makroasia.com/makropakistanimages/pak10.jpg

http://www.makroasia.com/makropakistanimages/pak04.jpg

http://www.makroasia.com/makropakistanimages/pak05.jpg

http://www.makroasia.com/makropakistanimages/pak07.jpg

http://www.makroasia.com/makropakistanimages/pak01.jpg

http://www.makroasia.com/makropakistanimages/pak06.jpg

http://www.makroasia.com/makropakistanimages/pak08.jpghttp://www.makroasia.com/makropakistanimages/pak09.jpg
http://www.makroasia.com/makropakistanimages/pak13.jpghttp://www.makroasia.com/makropakistanimages/pak14.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1046/1117875675_04d0237391.jpg

www.dewan-stores.com

Now that Makro is what I am taking about, these stores need to be common throughout Pakistan as they are here in the UK. I sometimes suspect that Pakistan's backward building techniques are partially to blame for the mass construction of tiny shops with small square footage. It goes without saying larger shops/chains can buy in bulk at a cheaper price and pass these discounts on to the consumer. It's no surprise to find that many things are actually cheaper here in the UK even though the average earnings are one fifteenth of what they are in Pakistan.

Now that Makro is what I am taking about, these stores need to be common throughout Pakistan as they are here in the UK. I sometimes suspect that Pakistan's backward building techniques are partially to blame for the mass construction of tiny shops with small square footage. It goes without saying larger shops/chains can buy in bulk at a cheaper price and pass these discounts on to the consumer. It's no surprise to find that many things are actually cheaper here in the UK even though the average earnings are one fifteenth of what they are in Pakistan.

You probably mean that the average earnings in the UK are 15 times greater than in Pakistan.

Yes my mistake thats what I meant :bash:

Yes my mistake thats what I meant :bash:

Mangoooos



:drool:

http://express.com.pk/images/NP_KHI/20070914/Sub_Images/1100261456-1.jpg

those dam " borees" of rice and atta look so dam cheap ....argghhhhhh

^^ Their most likely the most sold products !

What's Falak Dawat? A sky party?

^^

This is a local brand for Basmati Rice....

They are selling rice under three different brands:

1 - Falak Rozana
2 - Falak Khaas
3 - Falak Dawat

:)

Thats nothing, you should take a look at "Tiger Rice" and "Cheeta Basmati", supermarkets here are filled with them :crazy:

Thats nothing, you should take a look at "Tiger Rice" and "Cheeta Basmati", supermarkets here are filled with them :crazy:

"cheeta basmati" :rofl:

Makro

Looking good


A part from the makro pics havent seen any good super mart in Pakistan

agreed. Its a proper super market look for the first time in Pakistan. It was always going to have some local touch though. Like the Borri :)

Naheed Supermarket tried to do something with its outlet, for heavens sake its such a small store but they've put a big sign out "Naheed Supermarket"

I can clearly tell you there are only 6-7 isles stuffed with people because of the lack of space, its also the first supermarket with 3 floors.

Naheed Supermarket tried to do something with its outlet, for heavens sake its such a small store but they've put a big sign out "Naheed Supermarket"

I can clearly tell you there are only 6-7 isles stuffed with people because of the lack of space, its also the first supermarket with 3 floors.
I don't go there. Twice did, both times had a bad experience. When you're at the checkout, there are people all around you, and none of them have apparently ever heard of this invention called a deodorant. Both of the times I literally had to hold my breath. Never went there again.

LAHORE, Oct 25: The French Centre hosted a forum celebrating 60 years of friendship between the two nations here on Thursday.

The event included a photographic exhibition showcasing numerous France-Pakistan collaborative efforts in culture, diplomacy, defence, education and economics.

Matthieu Pinel, director of the Alliance Française, said: “France was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Pakistan at its independence, and we continue to invest in this close friendship.

“Our mission is to facilitate closer collaboration in all fields, including business and the arts,” he continued.

Daniel Penco, managing director of Carrefour Pakistan, announced his company wanted to set up a Carrefour hypermarket at Fortress Stadium “by the middle of next year”. “We’re very optimistic about opening operations here in Pakistan. There is a large population and the economy is doing well,” he said.

Proclaiming his optimism, Penco continued:

“Unlike other foreign competitors, we will be opening a retail outlet which will cater to all classes, upper, middle and lower.

“If successful we will also look at opening stores in Karachi, Islamabad and Faisalabad.” Relations with France stem back to 1947 when, on the day of Independence, Pakistani Scouts were taking part in the 6th world scouts Jamboree held in France. Cordial relations con tinued over the decades between President General Charles De Gaulle and Pakistani President Field Marshall Mohammad Ayub Khan, and through the Ziaul Haq, Bhutto and present administration.

Current collaborations include defence - the Pakistan Air Force flies the largest fleet of Mirage aircrafts in the world, and France continues to train Pakistani Navy pilots.

The Higher Education Commission sends approximately 250 postgraduate students for study in France every year, and plans are underway to create a Pakistan-France University to be launched in 2017.

Alcatel, a French company, has delivered over 2.6 million lines and ports, representing over 50 per cent of the PTCL landline network.
....
...

Present at the event were around 100 local business leaders, NGO workers, politicians and students of French, providing an opportunity for social and business networking for the city’s estimated 80 French nationals.

dawn.

"If successful we will also look at opening stores in Karachi, Islamabad and Faisalabad"

Interesting...

"....and plans are underway to create a Pakistan-France University to be launched in 2017"

It's going to take them so long to establish a university!!! :ohno:

METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan is opening its wholesale center on Multan Road Lahore on October 31st. The billboards are up around the city.

any pictures

Wheres the Makro located in Karachi again?

METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan is opening its wholesale center on Multan Road Lahore on October 31st. The billboards are up around the city.

I think that’s it for all the small grocery stores in the area :ohno:

Actually, to the best of my understanding, in theory METRO and Makro's customers are small grocery stores. Therefore, they actually help improve their competitiveness.

Even though Makro is allowing retail now, METRO will be slightly different in actively discouraging any end consumers from shopping at its centers. They have been successful in other countries in this. Let's hope we see the same here.

I think that’s it for all the small grocery stores in the area :ohno:

Wheres the Makro located in Karachi again?
SITE
Saddar, hear FTC
Under Construction on Sh-e-Faisal, next to Star Gate

"....and plans are underway to create a Pakistan-France University to be launched in 2017"

It's going to take them so long to establish a university!!! :ohno:

As we all have been discussing...Reporters are Bh*n Chods....never report the ACTUAL thing.

They have in fact started hiring the Faculty but I dont know about the construction status, however the location is somewhere on super Highway. The university is supposed to be opened in 2008.

They have in fact started hiring the Faculty but I dont know about the construction status, however the location is somewhere on super Highway. The university is supposed to be opened in 2008.

I believe they have already started teaching with a limited number of departments (two only: meche and naval engineering) in a few buildings donated by the Navy. And they are building a new campus somewhere along Super HIghway I think.

Metro's ad in today's Daily Express:
http://i22.************/35kmmbq.jpg

For those who can't read Urdu: only shopkeepers, traders, hotels, restaurants, caterers, offices, and other businesspeople can be customers of METRO. It's compulsory to have Metro's customer card to be allowed entry to the center. Entry of children below 12 years of age is prohibited.

the english version is in DAWN, and can someone get pics before it opens (Metro)and the photos get ruined by suzuki bolans and mehrans.... :)

Metro's ad in today's Daily Express:
http://i22.************/35kmmbq.jpg

Hmmm... The whole Metro design/colors look like the Ikea's we have here in the US.

Anyone want an ikea to open in Pakistan?

Ikea would do great in Pakistan thanks to the costs of the items and the fact that you can buy everything for the house in one store. The quality will be looked down upon though...