Kathmandu, Sept 8: Bhat-Bhateni Supermarket, one of the major commercial establishments targeted during the Gen Z movement, is working to return to its previous business footing within a year of the protests.
Of the 28 outlets operated by the country’s largest supermarket chain, 12 were set on fire. Another nine were vandalized and looted, leaving 21 stores damaged in total. Of these, 17 have resumed operations.
While the outlets that suffered vandalism and looting resumed operations earlier, eight of the 12 stores that were destroyed by fire have also reopened. The outlets in Dharan in Sunsari, Naxal in Kathmandu, Hetauda in Makwanpur and Damak in Jhapa are also being prepared for reopening. Bhat-Bhateni plans to bring all four back into operation by the end of Ashoj.
During the movement, fires destroyed the company’s outlets at Maharajgunj, Boudha, Koteshwor, the Baluwatar warehouse and Naxal in Kathmandu Valley, as well as outlets in Pokhara, Chitwan, Hetauda, Birtamod, Damak, Biratnagar and Dharan outside the Valley.
Although no fires were reported at the outlets in Kalanki, Thimi, Balaju, Janakpur, Butwal, Birgunj, Dhangadhi, Itahari and Bhairahawa, they were vandalized and looted. The stores in Tokha, Satdobato, Anamnagar, Sano Gaun, World Trade Center, Patan and Nepalgunj remained unharmed.
Following the movement, the company made reconstruction and restoration of damaged outlets its priority as it worked to bring the business back on track. The Gen Z movement put immediate pressure on Bhat-Bhateni’s physical infrastructure, financial management and expansion plans. However, over the past year, the company has gradually returned to its regular business operations.
Bhat-Bhateni is not only rebuilding its damaged outlets but also moving ahead with plans to operate its stores under an “international model.” As part of that plan, the company has introduced nighttime services at its Radhe Radhe outlet in Bhaktapur.
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