These supermarkets are also expanding the market for local products, encouraging new entrepreneurs and also catering to a variety of imported products.

The number of supermarkets that have sprouted at different locations of Dhaka over the last two years are showing an upward trend in business. The products they sell are also available at departmental stores and kitchen markets but still families prefer to visit the superstores for convenience, hygiene and time factors.

These shopping centres are centrally air-conditioned and the quality of products is more or less appreciable. There is also no question of bargaining with shopkeepers as items are all sold at fixed price.

"The best part about this supermarket concept is ofcourse the availability of everyday needs in one place. This also saves a lot of my time and energy," said Sohel Rahman who was shopping at the PQS in Uttara.

"The price is relatively higher but then again, I am ready to pay that in exchange for the swift service," he added.

PQS was the first chain supermarket in the capital. Ashiqul Huq, executive of purchase and distribution department of PQS informed that their operation began from September 5, 1999 at Uttara.

"We are the country's first chain supermarkets and now we have two other branches at Shantinagar and Dhanmondi. With tried to decorate PQQS in line with international superstores."

"Recently due to the ongoing drive of mobile courts we have taken around 25 to 30 percent of our local and imported products off the shelves as those items had no BSTI authorization. PQS means price, quality and service and we are determined to ensure that," said Ashiqul.

Raffel Iqbal, marketing officer of Agora said their Dhanmondi branch first opened in August 24, 2001. They now have four outlets in Dhanmondi, Gulshan, Moghbazar and Sobhanbag.

"The environment and hygiene standards provide a lot of relief to customers. The products which are shelved, are of good quality and that is why prices cannot be compromised in most cases," said Iqbal.

"We throw away items like meat, fish and vegetable within a day if still not sold. We do not compromise with freshness of food," Raffel added.

Mohammed Rezaul Kibria of Nandan Mega Shop in Gulshan, which was established in November 30 2002 said they have more than 26,000 products available and those are listed in their computer database.

"The most important thing is that we maintain the freshness of the products. Vegetables are directly bought from the fields of the farmers and they are kept on shelves for maximum two days. We have temperature-controlled bread storing machines for fresh bread also."