Kazerhat: The Rise of an Online Shop

The mega town Dhaka nestled between rivers and rice fields, the name “Kazerhat” once referred to a local market where traders sold everything from fragrant spices to sturdy fishing nets. It was more than a place to shop — it was where stories were exchanged, hands were shaken, and the rhythm of community life beat strong. But as the world changed, so did the ways people connected and consumed.

It was from this history that a new kind of marketplace emerged — an online super shop bearing the same name: Kazerhat.

The Beginning

The story of Kazerhat’s digital transformation began with a young entrepreneur named Rafiq Hasan. Raised in the very town that housed the old Kazerhat, Rafiq had gone abroad for university, returning years later with degrees in business and computer science, but more importantly, a vision. He remembered the vibrant days of the original Kazerhat, and mourned how the market had grown quieter over time, as people migrated to cities and chain stores replaced small vendors.

But Rafiq saw an opportunity. If people wouldn’t come to the market, maybe the market could come to them.

He bought a modest domain name kazerhat.com and started building a simple but robust e-commerce platform from scratch. His mission was clear: to digitize the spirit of the old Kazerhat and bring it to homes across the country. It would be a place where you could buy everything — from groceries and household goods to handicrafts and clothing — all while supporting local suppliers.

Early Struggles

Launching an online shop in a semi-urban region wasn’t easy. Internet penetration was improving, but trust in digital transactions was low. People liked to touch mangoes before buying them, smell the rice, bargain face to face. Online shopping felt cold and unfamiliar.

Rafiq knew that building trust would take time. He started small, offering cash on delivery, working with local delivery boys who knew the alleys and back roads of the town. His first customers were friends and neighbors. He personally delivered items in the beginning, asking for feedback after each order. Slowly, the word spread.

The Pandemic Shift

In 2020, the pandemic changed everything.

Markets shut down. People were afraid to step outside. Rafiq, already a few years into running Kazerhat, suddenly found his user base tripling. Orders poured in. Elderly people needed medicines. Mothers needed baby food. Farmers needed a way to sell their vegetables.

Rafiq pivoted fast. He hired more delivery staff, partnered with pharmacies and farmers, and introduced a real-time chat feature for customer support. He even added a “village cart” filter, letting customers choose products made in their specific region. Suddenly, Kazerhat wasn’t just a convenience — it was a lifeline.

By the end of that year, Kazerhat had become a household name across the region.

Scaling the Dream

With success came new challenges. Rafiq had to scale the backend, improve logistics, and deal with customer expectations. He recruited a team — tech-savvy youth from local colleges and experienced mentors from the industry. Together, they built mobile apps, implemented warehouse automation.

Beyond Dhaka

Three years into the journey, Kazerhat began exporting locally made products to Bangladeshi communities abroad. Nakshi kantha quilts reached Chattogram. Handloom sarees arrived in Bogura. A small fishing village’s dried hilsa was enjoyed in Khulna, Rajsahi and so on.

The Human Touch

Despite the technological advancements, Kazerhat never lost its human soul. Delivery workers were trained to greet elders with respect, a helpline answered by real people was always available, and handwritten thank-you notes were tucked into first-time orders.

Customer reviews told stories — of grandmothers surprised with saris, students receiving care packages, and farmers finally earning fair prices for their produce.

Kazerhat’s warehouse was more than a fulfillment center; it was a second home for its workers. There was a rooftop garden, a small library, and a daily communal meal. People didn’t just work at Kazerhat — they belonged there.

The Festival of Sales

Each year, during Pahela Baishakh and Eid, Kazerhat hosted an Online Mela — a virtual fair with live music streams, flash deals, recipe contests, and storytelling sessions. It wasn’t just about shopping; it was about celebrating culture in a new way. Elderly weavers shared their craft via livestreams. Children voted on their favorite traditional snacks. Rafiq always ended the mela with a simple message:

“Markets may move online, but their soul stays in our hearts.”

Looking Ahead

Ten years after its founding, Kazerhat had grown from a small-town experiment to one of the most beloved e-commerce platforms in the country. Yet Rahmat Ullah the founder & CEO of Kazerhat still walked through the old, physical Kazerhat every day, greeting stall owners and buying tea from the same vendor who had once said, “Online-e becha kinchi cholbe na”

He smiled every time.

Kazerhat was no longer just a place. It was a movement — where tradition met technology, and community met commerce.

And in every order packed, every delivery made, and every connection formed, the old Kazerhat lived on.

Thank You !

Rahmat Ullah

Founder & CEO, Kazerhat