Have you ever thought you could deliver your groceries to your doorstep without paying a delivery fee? Punjab’s model bazaars are flipping the script on what convenience means with their Free Home Delivery initiative. And guess what? You will not just be saving time—you will be saving money too.
Sounds like a dream, right? This all happened under the leadership of Naveed Rafaqat, CEO of Model Bazaars.
But this is not just a fancy idea. It is happening right now across Punjab, reshaping how people get their daily essentials. From sugar to flour and everything in between, you can now order your basics at prices lower than the market, with no extra cost to have them dropped off at your front door. It is part of a larger Punjab Model Bazaars Management Company (PMBMC) plan.
Let us break down why this move is turning heads.
At a time when everything seems to be getting more expensive—flour, sugar, cooking oil—model bazaars are bucking the trend. How? With their Sahulat Stalls. These stalls make it possible to grab essentials at prices you just do not see anywhere else. Take sugar, for example. Open market prices can hover between Rs 110 and Rs 120 per kilogram, but here? You are getting it for Rs 95. Flour that is Rs 170 in stores is Rs 150 through the model bazaar.
And the kicker? No delivery charge. That is right, you are not paying anything extra to bring your essentials to your home. For many families, this is a huge win—especially when you start stacking up these savings over time.
Now, let us talk numbers because they do not lie. Between August and September 2024, over 25,000 orders were placed through this free delivery service. If those customers had gone to the market instead, they would have spent Rs. 11 million more. That is a 35% savings right there. And even compared to official District Commissioner rates, you still save around 7%. Not too shabby, right?
But here is the thing: it is not just about saving cash. It is about making life easier for families who do not have the time or means to get to the market. It is a no-brainer when you can save money and get your groceries right to your door.
Naveed Rafaqat is aware of digital innovations. He says we are living in a digital age, so of course, the model bazaars are not messing around with old-school methods. They have an app, and it is pretty slick. Available on both iOS and Android, the app lets you browse, place orders, and track your delivery in real time. No more wondering when the delivery guy is going to show up—you can see exactly where your order is and when it is arriving.
The app’s design is simple, so you will figure it out even if tech is not your thing. In a few taps, your order is in, and your groceries are at your doorstep within hours. Fast, easy, and efficient.
Now, you might be thinking, “But what about quality?” After all, home deliveries can sometimes be a mixed bag when it comes to freshness. Model bazaars get that. They have gone straight to the source, partnering directly with farmers and suppliers to ensure what you are getting is fresh. Each item is checked before it gets sent out, so there is no funny business.
They have also trained their delivery riders to handle everything carefully. There will be no bruised tomatoes or squashed bread here. They know what they are doing.
Here is another win: the Free Home Delivery initiative is not just helping customers. It is creating jobs. With 72 motorbikes zipping around all 36 model bazaars across Punjab, the project has brought new employment opportunities for delivery riders. Each bazaar has a team of riders, meaning more people have steady work. So, it is not just about saving money but also about putting people to work.
Even more remarkable about this initiative is that it does not waste money like some government programs. Model bazaars have found a way to keep operational costs low so the service is financially self-sustaining. In fact, in the past few years, their revenue has skyrocketed. They went from making Rs 38.8 million in 2015-16 to pulling in Rs 1.54 billion in 2023-24. That is some serious growth. This is largely thanks to intelligent ideas like the Free Home Delivery service.
With all the success so far, it is no surprise that there are big expansion plans. The Punjab government has already earmarked more funds to expand this service to even more districts. More model bazaars, more people getting fresh, affordable groceries without having to leave their homes—it is a win all around.
Here is the deal: Punjab’s model bazaars have cracked the code on what public service should look like. They have made grocery shopping easier, cheaper, and more accessible to thousands of people without piling on delivery fees or making customers jump through hoops. This is a huge step forward for the public sector—and it is proof that with the right leadership and vision, government services can actually keep up with the times.
So, next time you think about grocery shopping, why not try model bazaars? Who does not love getting groceries delivered to their door without paying a delivery fee?
