National college of business administration & economics

Submitted by:
Wajeeha Siddiqui
Summited to:
Sir Sikander Aziz
Subject:
Introduction to Retailing
Topic:
My favorite market in Lahore
Question:
What is your favorite retail market in Lahore?
Answer:
Anarkali inspires me the most because of the rich culture and heritage. Anarkali remains
one of the oldest surviving markets in South Asia, dating back at least 200 years and derives its
name from the nearby mausoleum thought to be that of a courtesan girl named Anārkalī, who
was 'chased out of town' by order of the Mughal Emperor Akbar for having a love affair with his
son, Prince Salīm, who would later become Emperor Jahāngīr.
Anarkali mainly sells textiles, garments, jewellery, and many other items.The bazaar is now
divided into two sections: the 'Old Anarkali Bazaar' and the 'New Anarkali Bazaar’. The Old
Anarkali Bazaar is noted for its traditional food items while the New Anarakli Bazaar is noted
for its traditional handicraft and embroidery.

Retail business is the backbone of this bazar. Shops are doing their business by buying their
goods from wholesale markets and then sells in the bazar. In Anarkali bazar mostly shops adapt
transfer mechanism of ‘counter services’. As you can see in above pictures counters are in the
front of shops and only owner has liberty to touch and give the goods to the customers.
Customers are bound to analysis and evaluate the goods from behind the counter. Their
movement is limited.
Sellers buy their goods from wholesale markets. In Lahore there are several wholesale markets
from which retailers buy their goods. For example, for cloth there is Azam market, for other
goods there is Shalmi market. They buy goods in less rates and then sell it with profit.
In anarkali bazar, there are SME businesses which are developing at high rate. They have big
shops and employed 3, 4 sales men. Even in some area of Anarkali they are small manufactures
which manufactures goods and sell it in the same market.
By promoting small business and retailers which are present in anarkali bazar pakistan’s
economy will flourish.
The greatest number of desi spots belongs to tailors. These are tailors who work independently
and not with renowned labels. There are rows specific to tailors who stich for ladies. In a
reflection of society’s gender norms, all stitcheries are invariably run by men. It should be ironic
for a culture that celebrates outward manifestations of masculinity. We sometimes make fun of
male bridal designers, metrosexual celebrities, cross-dressers and transvestites (even though
some TV personalities might take it too far). The situation begs the question, why aren’t there
any female tailors around?
In a patriarchal culture, since women depend upon men, it makes sense that it is men who must
drape them. Having rows of female tailors would in some way constitute an independent sphere
for exclusive female activity. Arguably, an issue as delicate as what women should wear cannot
be completely left to them. The male tailor’s presence is perhaps mandatory in this scenario. The
equation is also paradoxical in the sense that the male tailor is apparently in a passive role. The
lady gives most of the instructions, but the contours of the dress, the fundamentals of what can
and cannot be stitched are already given. These sartorial laws are inviolable. The situation offers
itself for an interesting interpretation. The male tailor is passively active; he must obey the lady
client since she is the one who will make the payment. At the same time, the fundamentals that
the sewing will abide by cannot be tampered with. The lady client, while seemingly in a position
of authority, is in fact subservient to male rules of garb.

In Anarkali bazar, there are shops of bridal wear. They make dresses on oder on their ‘adda’ then
directly sell it on the shops. Different types of businesses are conduct in anarkali bazar. Common
practice is retailing business.
People who came in anarkali bazar are mostly poor and mediocre. They cannot afford expensive
items therefore, prices are normal. If you are in search of traditional dresses or cultural dresses
then anarkali bazar is your stop. You can buy clothes, shoes, jewelry, accessories. Personally I
prefer anarkali for bridal dresses and jewelry they have a lot of variety at reasonable prices.
This bazaar is a must-see place for visitors or tourists coming from all over the world that
highlight the cultural and historical values of Pakistan. The new Anarkali market is a heaven for
the people who loved to shopping. Dhani Ram road is famous for its high-class crockery, handy
crafts. Neela Gumbed is for every type of cycles, clothes and readymade garments, leather
jackets, automobiles parts, shoe stores and many more that you can imagine.Hundreds of years
old buildings, glittery sale points (shops) busy streets make this bazaar a heart of Lahore and
“Lahorian” (People of Lahore).
To conclude this, anarkali bazar is the most amazing and colorful markets in lahore. Shows
cultural and traditional heritage of Lahore and Punjab. Anarkali bazar inspire many tourists and
artists. From my childhood I always admire this market place and goods they have in it for us.
Not only for buyers but sellers also admire this market place because of the name and fame this
place has moreover, it is one of the old markets of Lahore.