Aarong
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Aarong (Bengali: আড়ং) is a chain of retail outlets located in the major cities of Bangladesh. It is an enterprise of BRAC, the largest non-governmental development organisation in the world. In the Bangla language, "Aarong" means a village fair. At present Aarong has 11 domestic outlets (6 in Dhaka, 2 in Chittagong, 1 in Sylhet,1 in Moulvibazar and 1 in Khulna), 1 franchise in London as well as considerable export operation in many European, North American and Asian countries. Aarong started its venture in 1978 and currently supports over 65,000 Bangladeshi artisans of whom 85 percent are women. Through a network of 647 production sub-centers and 13 production centers, Aarong has developed a platform for the underprivileged artisans across more than 2000 villages of Bangladesh, where they can utilize their indigenous skills to earn a living. Aarong works in collaboration with the Ayesha Abed Foundation, which provides the artisans the platform to exercise their expertise. Additionally, thousands of independent artisans, small entrepreneurs also earn their livelihood by marketing their craft products through Aarong. Aarong's mission is to help sustain rural craftsmanship and find a wider market for their products nationally and internationally.
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[edit] Products
Aarong products include Nakshikantha, pottery, crafts on brass, jute, wood, candles, leather, hand woven cloth and silk products, jewelry and a wide variety of trendy yet indigenous products. The store specialties include Nakshikantha (a traditional form of embroidery rooted to the core of Bangladeshi village women) and Jamdani sarees. They are currently in talks with Farhana Begum to sign her unique Coffe table design, which turns into a Carom Board
[edit] Branches
- Aarong Flagship Outlet, Uttara, Dhaka
- Aarong at Dhanmondi, Dhaka
- Aarong at Gulshan, Dhaka
- Aarong at Moghbazar, Dhaka
- Aarong at Wari, Dhaka
- Aarong at Mirpur, Dhaka
- Aarong in Sholashahar, Chittagong
- Aarong in Halishahar, Chittagong
- Aarong in Sylhet
- Aarong in Khulna
- Aarong in Moulvibazar
- Aarong in London[1]
[edit] Flagship Outlet
Aarong established its first flagship outlet on the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway in Uttara.[2] It was inaugurated on March 25, 2011 by Sir Fazle Hasan Abed,[2] founder of BRAC, the NGO that owns Aarong.
The structure is over 36,000 square feet (3,300 m2) and spans across six floors, each floor being dedicated to a particular segment - clothing, accessories, leather and metal, books and stationery, toys, household products, and others. It also includes an exhibition gallery, a floor dedicated to exclusive products being offered, a premium customer lounge, and a newly branded Aarong Café in the store.[2]
It is a favorite among upper and middle class families.[citation needed] The high product prices gained some criticism[citation needed], but quality remains prevalent.[citation needed]
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ "Aarong Retail Outlets". Aarong. http://www.aarong.com/retail.php. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
- ^ a b c "Aarong flagship store opens". The Daily Star. 26 March 2011. http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=179198. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
