Shoppers in Khulna were seen flocking to a no-profit kitchen market on Sunday at the Gallamari and Shibbari intersections.
The shops, operated by students of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, has been selling vegetables and other essentials at a fair price to break the market syndicate.
Prices for various products at the no-profit shop are as follows: imported onions at Tk75, local garlic at Tk215, and lentils between Tk100 and 105 per kg.
Other items include bottle gourd for Tk40 each, red spinach ranging from Tk25 to 30, pointed gourd at Tk40, green chili for Tk150, and papaya for Tk20 per kg.
In contrast, market prices show lentils at Tk120, local onions at Tk130, garlic ranging from Tk240-260, and red spinach priced between Tk60-70.
Small and medium bottle gourds cost Tk40, while large ones are Tk60 each. Papayas are sold for Tk30-40, and green chilies range from Tk200-240 per kg.
Shayla Rahman, shopping at Gallamari, said: "My daughter is a student at Khulna University. I came to check out the shops after hearing about it. I liked what I saw. The prices are affordable and lower than market rates, so I decided to buy some items."
Md Al Amin, another shopper, said: "The products here are priced much lower than in the market, which is why I liked it and bought some."
Abdul Khalek, purchasing vegetables at Shibbari, said: "The prices of products here are quite low compared to the market. That’s why I chose to buy my vegetables here."
At Shibbari intersection, shopkeeper Ariful Islam said: "To break the market syndicate, we stand by the people, sourcing products at wholesale prices and selling them at those rates. For customers who do not bring their own bags, we charge Tk10 for a Tk5 bag as a penalty. We're also campaigning to reduce plastic usage in the shop."
Shahin Chowdhury, a shopkeeper at Gallamari Hall Road intersection, said: "I dedicate my time to this no-profit shop alongside my studies to provide relief to the community. This relief can only be achieved through effective market control. To succeed, we must dismantle the market syndicate. We are actively working towards this goal on behalf of the anti-discrimination student movement in Khulna."
The first no-profit shop was launched on October 18 at Shibbari intersection. Initially, it operated at one point.
As of Sunday, six shops have been opened in Khulna, which will operate regularly according to the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
