Akij Resource set to enter electronics retailing

Akij Resource is making its debut in the electronics retail market with a new brand, Orca, aiming to tap into a domestic sector worth over Tk 30,000 crore and growing 15 percent annually.

The company will open its first showroom today on Kamal Ataturk Avenue in Banani, Dhaka, offering home appliances and office solutions.

Orca will initially sell products from global brands including Samsung, LG, Hitachi, Haier, and Panasonic, covering refrigerators, air conditioners, televisions, and washing machines.

Md Abu Tariq Zia Chowdhury, chief business officer at Akij Resource, said the move responds to unmet demand in the market. “While there are many players, quality service and reliable after-sales support are still lacking. Akij sees an opportunity to fill that gap,” he told The Daily Star.

Chowdhury added that the company will act as a distributor for now and leverage its large customer base to gain market share. 

He also said Orca will focus on strong after-sales service, aiming to resolve any product issues within 24 hours. “Product availability is no longer the main challenge -- it’s the after-sales experience. We want to offer the best to our customers,” he said.

The company plans to open at least 35 showrooms across the country by 2026 and 100 outlets by 2028, starting with divisional cities. It also intends to start local production of Orka-branded electronics within a year and build a nationwide network of distributors.

The home appliance market is currently led by Transcom Digital, Butterfly Marketing Limited, Rangs Electronics, Rangs E-Mart, Esquire Electronics, MK Electronics, Walton, and Singer. 

Akij Resource, officially established in April 2020, builds on the heritage of the Akij Group, one of Bangladesh’s largest conglomerates.