Rokomari: Bangladesh’s Leading Online Bookstore | A Success Story

In the ever-growing e-commerce landscape of Bangladesh, Rokomari   stands out as the first and leading online book-selling platform. Launched with the mission to make books easily accessible to readers across Bangladesh, Rokomari has revolutionized the way books are bought and sold. With its comprehensive platform, it caters to the diverse needs of book lovers, offering a wide range of books, from popular titles to rare editions, and even beyond books, selling a variety of products including hygiene goods and calculators. The company’s exceptional service and innovative solutions have earned it a significant place in the e-commerce sector, not just in Bangladesh but across 30 countries worldwide.  

History and Establishment of Rokomari  

Rokomari began its journey in 2012 as part of Onnorokom Group, founded by a group of enthusiastic entrepreneurs, including     Mahmudul Hasan Sohagand Abul Hasan Liton. The idea of Rokomari emerged during their time at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), where they noticed the gap in the online book-selling market. Md. Khairul Anam, one of the five founders, was appointed as the CEO of the company, and Rokomari was born. Within a month, the website was ready, marking a quick and efficient start for the platform.  

From the very beginning, Rokomari’s mission was clear: to provide an easy way for people to purchase books online, whether for personal use or educational needs. The first booklisted on their website was ‘Shushashoner Shondhane’, written by Atiur Rahman, and the first order was placed for ‘Ekattor’, authored by Imdadul Haque Milon. Despite initial challenges, Rokomari quickly grew its collection and earned customer trust.  

Key Milestones and Challenges Faced by Rokomari  

One of the significant challenges faced by Rokomari in its early years was gaining the trust of publishers. Most of the publishers, particularly those in Bangla Bazaar, were skeptical about selling books online, and there was resistance from many quarters. However, with persistent efforts, Rokomari was able to convince a few publishers to sell their books online, thus ensuring a steady supply of books for the platform. Initially, it was intended to launch with 10,000 books, but Rokomari started with just a few thousand.  

Additionally, getting featured in Prothom Alo, a leading daily newspaper, brought immense popularity to the platform. This, in turn, boosted sales and helped the company gain more orders. However, the initial operational phase was not without its struggles. The online shopping culture was not widespread in Bangladesh at that time, and trust in online payment systems was low.  

Introduction of Cash on Delivery and Expansion  

A significant turning point for Rokomari was the introduction of the cash-on-delivery(COD) payment system. As the concept of online shopping was relatively new, Rokomari adopted the COD system to build trust with customers. At the time, no other delivery services in Bangladesh supported COD. Rokomari convinced Sundarban Courierto integrate the COD system, which proved to be a game-changer. This move helped Rokomari establish a customer-friendly platform where people could pay for their orders when they received them.  

Growth and Technological Advancements  

In 2014, Rokomari began leveraging data analyticsto improve its business operations. This step helped the company analyze customer preferences and make data-driven decisions. By using tools like Google Analytics, Rokomari was able to optimize its marketing strategies and better understand customer needs, leading to continuous growth in the years that followed.  

The company’s e-commerce platform expanded rapidly, adding more than 500 publishersand 2,500 authorsto its roster by the end of 2012. Rokomari’s operations expanded beyond books, adding various other products such as packaged food, hygiene productslike hand sanitizers, and calculatorsto its catalog.  

Modern-Day Operations and Technological Integration  

Today, Rokomari’s operations are run from its Motijheel office, with a total space of 12,000 square feetincluding a warehouse. Rokomari has a well-organized inventory system, where each book is assigned a QR Codefor easy tracking and categorization. Once an order is placed, the system notifies the operators of the location of the books in the warehouse, ensuring prompt and accurate fulfillment.  

For the delivery process, Rokomari partners with both courier services and postal services, and recently, it has even started using its own delivery service within Dhaka. Delivery outside Dhaka is handled by partner services, but Rokomari plans to expand its own delivery services nationwide. In Dhaka, delivery is completed within 2-3 days, while for outside Dhaka, it takes 3-5 days.  

International Reach and New Ventures  

In addition to its success in Bangladesh, Rokomari has expanded internationally, delivering books to 30 countries. This expansion is powered by a dedicated team that manages the import and delivery of books worldwide.  

Furthermore, in 2019, Rokomari launched an e-book appcalled Muthoboi, specifically aimed at Bengali-speaking readers abroad. This app, initially launched in beta in 2020, provides readers with an easy way to access a variety of Bengali e-books. The full version was launched in 2021, further establishing Rokomari as a leader in digital book distribution.  

Present-Day Success and Future Prospects  

As of now, Rokomari sells 90,000 bookseach month and continues to grow its customer base both locally and internationally. The company remains highly customer-focused, offering features such as pre-ordering books, digital promotions, and SMS-based updatesfor users.  

The company also holds special events such as awards for the best books, best authors, and best customersduring events like the Ekushey Book Fair, further cementing its position as a leader in the Bangladeshi book industry.  

Conclusion  

Rokomari.com’s journey from a small e-commerce platform to becoming the leading online bookstore in Bangladesh is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit, technological innovation, and customer-centric approach of its founders. With plans for further expansion both locally and internationally, Rokomari is poised to continue making waves in the world of online retail.