The man who transformed Shwapno

Shwapno, Bangladesh's leading retail chain, launched its franchise model in 2017-2018 with just six outlets. Today, under the visionary leadership of Sabbir Hasan Nasir, the franchise model has become the primary growth engine for ACI Logistics Limited, with over 400 of Shwapno's 500+ outlets operating as franchises. This unique model generates 2-3% net profit on sales, positioning Shwapno as a pioneer in global retail innovation.

At the heart of this innovation is Nasir, often regarded as the guru of the retail industry in Bangladesh. His revolutionary approach to franchising sets Shwapno apart from conventional models. Typically, in franchise agreements, the franchisee runs operations and the franchisor receives a royalty or commission. However, Nasir's model flips this on its head: Shwapno's management team controls operations and inventory, while franchise partners invest in lease advances, civil works, interior design, and equipment. Profits are split between Shwapno and the franchisee in a 60%/40% ratio, with Shwapno bearing the operational costs, including staffing and supply chain, while franchisees manage rent, utilities, and maintenance.

Nasir's innovation stemmed from the need to circumvent high financing costs in 2016-17, when ACI Logistics was burdened with debt. "I aimed to create a debt-free growth model, as financing was becoming prohibitively expensive," said Nasir. By tapping into the SME investor market, he crafted a franchise structure that allowed investors to benefit from the strength of the Shwapno brand without needing deep retail expertise. After numerous iterations, the model evolved into what it is today.

With plans to expand to 2,000-3,000 outlets across Bangladesh in the next 4-5 years, and the potential to go global, Sabbir Hasan Nasir continues to redefine retail innovation on a massive scale.