Published: 12:00 AM, 08 October 2026
All Supershops Should Be Instructed to Accept Card Payments
Abdullah Al Imran
The government should instruct all supershops and large retail outlets in Bangladesh to accept card payments and other digital payment methods as part of a broader effort to modernize the country’s payment system, reduce dependence on cash and bring greater transparency to commercial transactions.
Bangladesh has made significant progress in digital financial services in recent years. Mobile financial services, internet banking, debit cards, credit cards and QR-based payments have become increasingly common, particularly in urban areas. Yet many consumers still face difficulties when they want to pay by card at retail shops. Some businesses accept cards only for selected purchases, while others prefer cash because of transaction charges, settlement procedures or concerns about maintaining electronic records.
This situation is particularly inconvenient at supershops, where customers generally purchase a large number of goods in a single visit. If a shopper carries insufficient cash, the inability to pay by card can create unnecessary problems. For families, elderly customers, office workers and people who prefer cashless transactions for security reasons, card acceptance should be treated as a basic customer service rather than a special facility.
A government directive requiring supershops to provide card-payment facilities could therefore be an important step towards building a more convenient and transparent retail economy. Such a policy would also support Bangladesh Bank’s broader efforts to encourage digital transactions and reduce excessive reliance on physical cash.
There are economic benefits as well. Electronic payments create digital records of transactions, which can help businesses maintain accurate accounts and make financial management easier. They can also help tax authorities obtain a clearer picture of commercial activity. While card acceptance alone cannot eliminate tax evasion or undeclared sales, greater use of traceable payment methods can contribute to a more transparent business environment.
However, any government policy should take into account the concerns of retailers. Supershops may have to pay merchant service charges, install or maintain payment terminals and deal with technical problems. Smaller outlets operating on tight profit margins may consider these expenses burdensome. Banks and payment-service providers should therefore work to make merchant charges reasonable and provide reliable technical support.
The government could introduce the requirement gradually. Initially, all large supershops in major cities could be required to accept internationally recognized debit and credit cards as well as domestic digital payment systems. The policy could later be extended to other large retail businesses across the country. Businesses should also be required to display clear signs indicating which payment methods they accept.
At the same time, customers must be protected from unfair practices. Shops should not impose unreasonable additional charges simply because a customer chooses to pay by card. Payment terminals should be functional, receipts should be provided and customers should be informed clearly about any legitimate service fees.
The Bangladesh Bank, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and relevant government agencies could jointly monitor implementation. Banks and payment companies could also offer incentives to retailers that successfully adopt cashless payment systems. Training and technical assistance would be especially useful for businesses outside Dhaka and other major urban centres.
The move would also contribute to Bangladesh’s ambition of becoming a Smart Bangladesh. A modern economy requires payment systems that are fast, secure, convenient and transparent. Cash will continue to have an important role, particularly in rural and informal markets, but consumers should not be forced to depend on cash when they shop at large, organized retail outlets.
Therefore, all supershops should be instructed to accept card payments, while the government ensures that the system remains affordable and practical for businesses. Such a policy would give consumers greater freedom, encourage digital transactions, strengthen financial transparency and help Bangladesh move towards a more modern and accountable retail economy.
Abdullah Al Imran studies
Software Engineering in
Green University Bangladesh, Dhaka.
