Bangladesh’s retail landscape—ranging from modern supermarkets to traditional markets—faces multiple hurdles. Major local chains like Shopno (Shwapno), Agora, Meena Bazar and Unimart (and global entrants such as Indonesia’s Alfamart) are expanding into e-commerce, but they must navigate intense informal competition, complex regulations, and infrastructure gaps. Key pain points include:
Many retailers compete with unregistered small shops and street vendors, making pricing and growth unpredictable.
The VAT/compliance environment is challenging – for instance, only 2.8% of wholesale/retail traders are VAT-registered, and recent tax changes (e.g. raising VAT on commissions from 5% to 15%) have burdened SMEs. Import duties and customs rules add further uncertainty.
Bangladesh ranks 168th out of 190 in the World Bank’s ease-of-doing-business index, reflecting distribution and infrastructure bottlenecks. These constraints slow inventory flow and raise costs.
The online retail sector is growing fast (projected to reach ~$3 billion by 2025), but operators struggle with low consumer trust, payment system limits and fraud. Indeed, numerous e-commerce platforms faced fraud allegations and shutdowns in 2021, and major players (e.g. Daraz, Chaldal) have cut jobs amid business pressures.
Shoppers demand omnichannel convenience, faster delivery and personalized services. Retailers must adapt to new social, economic and technological trends.
Shubhankar & Co offers tailored solutions to address these challenges for Bangladesh’s retail clients. Our approach includes:
We conduct in-depth market research and feasibility studies (leveraging our local insights and global best practices) to help retailers identify growth opportunities and demand (e.g. tapping into the projected $3 B e-commerce market).
Our experts guide retailers through Bangladesh’s tax landscape. We help implement digital VAT solutions (Electronic Fiscal Devices and online filing) to boost compliance, plan corporate and indirect taxes, handle customs duties, and optimize transfer pricing for import-heavy operations.
We support retailers in building or improving online channels, payment integration, and IT systems. For example, as foreign entrants (like Alfamart’s $120 M joint venture) and local chains embrace e-commerce, we ensure smooth tech adoption and help navigate new rules (e.g. VAT on digital sales).
We work with clients to redesign supply chains and store operations for efficiency. Our consultants use data analytics and process optimization to shorten delivery times, reduce inventory costs and meet “last-mile” demands.
We offer management training, recruitment and workforce solutions to address skill gaps. For example, we help retailers train staff in inventory management and customer service, and we source experienced managers and skilled workers to strengthen teams.
When retailers pursue partnerships or foreign investment, we guide them through corporate structuring and registration. Shubhankar & Co. has experience advising on joint ventures, licensing, and compliance with Bangladesh’s investment regulations.
From business strategy to execution, we serve as a single-point partner. Whether it’s revenue enhancement, cost reduction, or growth planning, we tailor solutions – for example, helping a supermarket chain reorganize its product portfolio around loyal customers.
We combine deep local knowledge with international experience to serve retail clients:
Shubhankar Consulting is a Dhaka-based business consulting and accounting firm (est. 2004) offering a broad range of services. Our team includes chartered accountants, tax advisors, management consultants and IT specialists.
We cover accounting, audit, and tax compliance, plus management consulting (strategy, process optimization, ERP/digital, M&A, etc.). We prepare clients’ tax returns, provide future-tax planning advice, and offer legal/compliance counsel to avoid risks.
Our consultants stay abreast of retail trends. We leverage data analytics and best practices (for example, advising on adaptive retail models) so clients stay competitive as consumer preferences shift.
As noted by industry analysts, engaging a local consulting partner brings critical insight into Bangladesh’s consumer behavior and regulations. We use this advantage to interpret policies and market dynamics for our clients.
We pride ourselves on being “true impact partners” – focusing on execution and results, not just advice. Our leadership emphasizes an “unrelenting commitment to put our clients’ interests first”, ensuring personalized attention for each retailer.
