I really got inspired by Man with a Plan’s thread topic on Entrepreneurs.
Given that 50% of this forum is dedicated to economics, I figured that mentioning specific business companies in Pakistan and their models could be worth it. I haven’t been shopping all that much in Pakistan, but there are a few notable businesses I saw as a consumer.
Jafferjees: They sell leather products - purses, briefcases, laptop bags, etc - very well done designs and workmanship is very neat. They have at least 1 outlet in Karachi that I know of. Their service is very nice. I could walk in with a plain lawn shalwaar kameez looking like a mess with the heat and the wind having blown my hair all over the place, and they still treat me like royalty. Their prices are reasonable if you’re coming from abroad. My middle class Pakistani family is able to buy gift items from there for shaadis, birthdays, etc. I think their selling feature is their excellent salemanship.
Exclusive boutique: The designs are acceptable to the moderate muslim. Not too revealing, but they do house a nice collection of sleeveless and capri-kameezes for those who are willing to expose a little more. Their rates are the most moderate rates I’ve found in Karachi, and they have reasonably good quality clothing. Excellent salesmanship. The salesgril knew I was looking for a good deal, and told me to come back the following week when they’d have a big sale, and I ended up saving a couple thousand ruppees. Because of her honesty in not ripping me off on pre-sale prices, I actually bought most of my clothes from this shop, so they ended making more off me than they’d have expected. They also have, on the second floor, plain kapra, which you can select and have their inhouse tailor make the outfit for you - in essence, you design your own outfit. They’re great about getting your order on time, and their tailor was a nice old man. He definitely did not try to grope me like most of the tailors in the city. Quality service.
I know these aren’t brand new companies, but they’re not 20 year old dinosaurs, either.
good old jafferjees has been around for ages. in fact they also have a shop in dubai. great place to buy gift for my bosses when i go to karachi for vacation.
anothet cool gift shop is sindh handicrafts shop close to hotel jabees on abdullah haroon road. things they have there are of fairly good quality - much better than stuff you get in zainub market. also there is another cool handicraft shop right next to pidc buliding facing sheraton. also there some nice furniture shops on abdullah haroon road where you can find old school, naani ammah jaan house type furniture. btw speaking of furniture, ceo of one of america's largest furniture retailer is a pak-kashmiri whose furniture exports business was bought by this retail chain. believe it or not but the son of the ceo died in kashmir jehad.
Rather it shows how pathetic entrepreneurs are that they haven't marketed their products and services properly, and haven't reached out to the money-touting Pakistanis living abroad. You know, people like yourself who left your homeland to mint money abroad when you could be helping treat patients in Pakistan.