On April 6, the 22nd outlet of Bhat-bhateni supermarket was grandly opened in Sanagaun, Mr. Min Bahadur Gurung, chairman of Bhat-bhateni accepted an interview of SATV.

   Bhat-Bhateni Super Market (BBSM) was established in 1984 by Mr. Min Bahadur Gurung, as a “single shutter” 120 sq. ft. cold store. Now BBSM has a combined 1 billion sq. ft. sales area across its 22 outlets and more than 6200 full-time employees with daily sales exceeding NRs. 6.5 Crore (USD 650,000.00), Bhat-Bhateni is also the largest taxpayer in the retail sector in Nepal.

The growth history of BBSM

Nabin Sapkota, a salesman in the electronics department who has been working in Bhat-bhateni supermarket for more than two years, said, "Today is the opening day of the 22nd Bhat-bhateni supermarket. As a supermarket’s employee, I see that the supermarket is doing better and expanding every year and I feel very proud." In order to attract more customers, the supermarket is offering upto 20% discount on various products. He hopes that Bhat-bhateni supermarket could launch more outlets all over Nepal and even in other countries.

  Mr. and Mrs. Gurung started a single shutter grocery shop of 120 sq. feet in 1984 having initial investment of Rs. 35,000 with daily sales of Rs.2000. In 1990s, with the development of Nepal's economy, the consumption power of the people gradually increased and the retail industry ushered in a golden age. Through his rich experience, Min B. Gurung seized the opportunities in Nepal's retail market, with standard supermarkets as the main format, laying the foundation for the future development model.

In 1990, Min Bahadur Gurung opened the second Bhat-bhateni supermarket.

In 1992, the Bhat-bhateni supermarket was expanded to two floors (about 3,000 square feet), and now there are 13 supermarkets in Kathmandu and 9 in other places, a total of 22 supermarket chains.

Having seen meteoric growth over the past 35 years, Bhat-Bhateni remains committed to improving the shopping experience for its patrons and expanding its store locations throughout the country

Moving forward with a dream

  During the interview, Min Bahadur Gurung specially thank the Chinese friend Mr. Zhang, the owner of Musa Logistics Company who has helped in his career development. He said that he has established a deep friendship with Mr. Zhang during the development. A large number of commodities purchased in the supermarket operation come from China and most of the goods are transported by Musa Logistics. He hopes for the further cooperation with Musa Logistics in the future to create a better future!

  "We are moving forward with a dream. The supermarket has made a certain contribution to Nepal's economy and at the same time, it has also solved the employment problem in Nepal to a certain extent." Min Bahadur Gurung said that at present, we have solved employment for more than 6,200 people and our goal is to provide employment opportunities to 50,000 people.

  This ordinary ‘single shutter’ store has transformed to a leading supermarket chains in Nepal. His drive to offer quality products at reasonable price to customer has made an impressive growth history since 1984 A.D. Today more than 50,000 people visit the stores daily. As a successful business, Bhat-Bhateni has been the largest taxpayer in Nepal's retail industry for the past five consecutive years. Min Bahadur Gurung has created a "legendary business history" in Nepal by starting from ordinary store.

  Talking about the coronavirus, Min Bahadur Gurung has different understandings and views, "The epidemic has a great impact on the whole world including Nepal. He discussed with the team and find a way to continue the operation of the business under the prevention and control of the epidemic. He said that since the epidemic, the supermarket's business has not stagnated, but has opened 3 outlets across Nepal and will open another store in Dhangadi in June to fulfill the need of the customers

  An ambitious expansion plan will open many new stores in Kathmandu and across the country in the coming years, further accelerating the pace of Bhat-bhateni's presence across Nepal.

Contributing the society by providing employment opportunities for 50,000 people.

“Today, our commitment to social responsibility is as strong as when our company was founded and we are proud of our progress, we will do more in future. "SATV reporters sorted out a set of data:

Bhat-bhateni donated 140 million Nepalese rupees (approximately US$1.75 million) for the entire emergency wing of the Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj. Mr. Min B. Gurung and the family also donated money, clothes, food, cooking utensils and blankets to the Dubhekol (1995) and Sungdel (2003), Khotang flood victims. An ambulance has also recently been donated to Tamu Boudha Sewa Samittee and the company funded the construction of primary school in Khotang village.

Furthermore, Bhat-Bhateni has funded the construction of Ganesh Temple (Khotang), Sai Centre (Narayan Chaur), and Shiva Temple (Haridwar, India) and constructed the green parks in Maharajgunj, Baluwatar and Koteswor.

Min Bahadur Gurung constructed a new emergency wing at Teaching Hospital, Maharajgung by investing Rs. 100 million in memory of his father Brisha Bahadur Gurung and mother Dhan Maya Gurung. Honorable President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav had inaugurated the building on 18 September 2011.

Apart from this, the Bhatbhateni Group as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has provided scholarships to two students each year from the remote districts of Nepal for five-year-long MBBS programs at a leading medical college.

Since June 2009, Bhat-Bhateni has been promoting the Just Say No to Plastic Bags campaign along with Kathmandu University and Nagarik & República, the proceeds will help in the improvement of the environment. Students from both St. Xavier School and Ideal English Higher Secondary School have been participating in this campaign.

Bhat-Bhatateni also maintains its long-term goal of establishing farmer’s cooperatives in Nepal to source its fresh produce, which will provide employment for 50,000 people;

Min Bahadur Gurung believes that Bhat-Bhateni is leading the way in corporate responsibility and employment opportunities to create opportunities and bringing value to customers and communities across Nepal, a commitment to corporate social responsibility has become a major motive power for success.

Rewrite the pattern of Nepal's retail industry and target overseas development

Today, Bhat-Bhateni is Nepal's leading supermarket and department store chain, located in Kathmandu as well as on all the major cities throughout the country. Bhat-Bhateni is one of the most trusted brands in Nepal.

Min B. Gurung said, "Half of the supermarket's products are from China, and the rest are from Europe, the United States, and India." As the largest retail chain in Nepal, Bhat-Bhateni offers 150,000 products from more than 1,000 local and international suppliers. Customers can choose from a wide range of fresh produce, cosmetics and toiletries, liquor, kitchenware, apparel, sporting goods, toys and electronics, and are committed to provide the high quality products at the best prices.

Bhat-bhateni supermarket aims to open 3 to 4 stores per year, Sanagaun, Dhangadi, Birgunj, Janakpur, Britamode are included in the "map" of Bhat-Bhateni expansion plan.

The story of Bhat-Bhateni has just begun. It is Mr. Gurung's dream and ambition to build Bhat-Bhateni Group into a truly professional multinational company: "Open 65 supermarket chains in Nepal and all over the world."

The pattern of the retail industry is being rewritten. In the turbulent times, the Bhat-bhateni Group, which has been the No. 1 fast-moving consumer goods chain in Nepal for many years, will surely become solid and strong, leaving a strong mark in the history of retail market in Nepal.