A successful beginning: In 1971 eight stores of the Staff Welfare Organisation were taken over to give birth to Utility Stores Corporation through a presidential ordinance under Companies Act 1913. The rationale behind the move was to counter strikes from traders which was order of the day and which was restricting in shortage of items of daily use. Particularly, it has created acute shortage of staple food items - Aata, Ghee and Sugar.
In the face of calls for strikes, provisions of items of daily use to the people was major challenge for the government. There was no institution to brace this challenge. Ration depot system had its own hazards.
As a result of thorough deliberation, it was decided at the highest level to form an organisation that could successfully cope with the situations. This gave birth to the USC. It was decided to spread the network of Utility Stores throughout the country. The government promised all the required financial support to the USC, which was instructed to provide the staple food items at rates fixed by the government. It was decided that in this process the loss, if any was to be borne by the government through reimbursement.
From 1972-1977, there were 750 stores, across Pakistan - opened many in governments' venues to save the rent money. Initially people thought that employees, though public benefited from the outlets.
Another noble objective for establishing the USC was to create employment avenues. Both concepts made the launch and operation of Utility Stores Corporation a grand success. Utility Stores Corporation had embarked upon the computerisation roadmap for effective and efficient service delivery to the people.
BRACING THE CHALLENGE OF SELF-RELIANCE Six years down the road, the challenge of self-reliance began for the USC. It was the time when the government refused more grants to the USC and it was decided to make it stand on its own feet in order to survive. Under then Managing Director, Brigadier Khushi Muhammad, the challenge was accepted the implemented successfully.
For bracing the challenge of standing on its own feet, the Corporation met its financial needs through bank borrowing. A plan was made to pack-up those stores that were going in loss and as a result the number of the stores was brought down to 225 from 750. Interestingly, however by reducing the number of stores, the sales increased. At the same time the Corporation faced the challenge of coming out of old premises and localities and competing with the private markets, gradually, most of the stores were shifted to the private markets areas.
BUILDING A CORPORATE WORLD: In 1985, the USC moved forward to build its corporate image. Earlier, it had a dull logo, designing as well as the color scheme. The new look of dark blue color, on walls and racks and sign boards gave refreshing look to all stores of the corporation.
PIONEERS IS SELF-SERVICE STORES: In early 80s the USC decided to change from counter service stores into self-service stores, becoming pioneers in self-service stores in Pakistan. This measure gave birth to a new society in retail business.
USC has been planning to revamp its outlook, brand identity and corporate image to excel in all sectors After 1985, gradual increase and expansion was carried out but in 1989, a 5-year plan was formed. It included opening of new stores, and modernisation it was decided to open 250 new stores. At that time, the number of Corporation's Stores had further risen to 365 stores. Also, the management of the USC decided to construct 12 warehouses. The objective was to create better infrastructure for the retail business.
COMPUTERIZATION AND MODERNIZATION: The next step was computerisation and to modernize different facilities at the stores with forklifts, transportation, and palletise racking system. By 1993, at the end of the plan, the corporation successfully opened 250 new stores, taking the number of stores to 615. But USC could not pelletize racking system because it was expensive.
As afar as computerisation was concerned, it was done up to regional and warehouse level but at that time IT was not so developed as it is now. At that time for interline radio waves or telephone was used. Also, highly advanced Electronic Cash Register Machines were introduced. The ECRs were able to register only prices and not names of different items.
By introducing ECR machines USC stores took the lead in the market. From 1989-1993, ECR machines were introduced for printouts and sales reports. They had the facility of bar coding also.
Vigilance Department: Utility Stores Corporation has established a full-fledged vigilance department to ensure customer satisfaction and to avoid leakages at all utility stores serving the nation across the country. In addition USC has also hired the services of a private vigilance company to ensure credibility and transparency Rs 3 billion subsidy on 7 essential food items.
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S/NoName of item USC Sale Retail Market Price
Price Price Differential
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1. Utility Ghee 1 Kg (Pouch) 103.00 125.00 22.00
2. Utility Vegetable C/Oil 1 Ltr Pouch 103.00 125.00 22.00
3. Habib Ghee 5kg tin 650.00 725.00 75.00
4. Habib Ghee 1kg pouch 128.00 141.00 15.00
5. Dalda Banaspati 5kg tin 648.00 735.00 87.00
6. Dalda Banaspati 1kg pkt 128.00 145.00 17.00
7. Habib Cooking oil 5ltr tin 642.00 725.00 83.00
8. Manpasand Ghee lkg pouch 123.00 139.00 16.00
9. Super Habib C/oil 5ltr btl 650.00 733.00 83.00
10. Habib Cooking oil 1ltr Pouch 127.00 143.00 16.00
11. Dalda C/Oil 5 Ltr tin 642.00 735.00 93.00
12. Planta C/Oil 5ltr tin 642.00 735.00 93.00
13. Dalda C/Oil 1Ltr pouch 127.00 145.00 18.00
14. Planta C/Oil lLtr pouch 127.00 145.00 18.00
15. Manpasand C/Oil (2.25ltr) 291.50 329.00 37.50
16. Manpasand C/Oil (4.5ltr) 569.00 644.00 75.00
17. Shezan Mango Squash 820m1 all flavour 100.00 110.00 10.00
18. Shezan Orange Squish 820ml 100.00 110.00 10.00
19. Shezan Lemon Squash 820ml 100.00 110.00 10.00
20. Shezan Lemon Barley Squash 820ml 100.00 110.00 10.00
21. Jam-e-Shirin 800ml 113.00 120.00 7.00
22. Lemon Squash 1.5 Ltr (Mitch) 193.00 210.00 17.00
23. Mango Squash 1.5 Ltr (Mitch) 193.00 210.00 17.00
24. Orange Squash 1.5 Ltr (Mitch) 193.00 210.00 17.00
25. Jam-e Shirin 1500m1 Economy Pack 203.00 210.00 7.00
26. Dal Chana (Bold Grain) For Punjab/KPK/Sin 56.00 65.00 TO 68.00 9.00 TO 12.00
27. Dal Chana (Bold Grain) For Balochistan 58.00 66.00 TO 70.00 8.00 TO 12.00
28. White Gram(Bold Grain) 9MM Per kg 78.00 90.00 TO 95.00 12.00 TO 17.00
29. Chakki Baisen 56.00 68.00 TO 70.00 12.00 TO 14.00
30. USC Dates 500 gms Pkt 44.00 60.00 16.00
31. Phool Basmati Rice 1 Kg 91.00 94.00 3.00
32. Phool Basmati Rice 2 Kg 182.00 186.00 4.00
33. Phool Rice 5 Kg 455.00 460.00 5.00
34. Utility Red Chillies Powder 200 gms 49.00 58 00 9 00
35. Utility Haldi Powder 100 gms 42.00 48.00 6.00
36. Utility Coriander Powder 200 gms 29.00 34.00 5.00
37. Utility Coriander Powder (Whole) 200 gms 29.00 34.00 5.00
38. Utility Garam Masala Whole 50 gms 25.00 30.00 5.00
39. Utility Garam Masala Powder 50 gins 40.00 48.00 8.00
40. Utility Black Pepper Whole 50 gins 27.00 32.00 5.00
41. Utility Black Pepper Powder 50 gms 28.00 33.00 5.00
42. Utility Allaichi Big 50 gms 100.00 110.00 10.00
43. Utility Allaichi Small 15 gms 44.00 50.00 6.00
44. Utility Darchini 50 gms 13.00 18.00 5.00
45. Utility White Zeera 100 gms (Whole) 38.00 42.00 4.00
46. Utility White Zeera 200 grms (Whole) 74.00 80.00 6.00
47 Utility Clove 50 gms 44.00 50.00 6.00
48. Utility Garam Masala Whole 100 gms 49.00 55.00 6.00
49. Shan Biryani Masala 50 gins 29.00 35.00 6.00
50. Shan Chat Masala 100 gms 29.00 35.00 6.00
51. Shan Chana Chat Masala 60 gms 29.00 35.00 6.00
52. Tomato Ketchup 305 gms (Shezan) 51.00 56.00 5.00
53. Shezan Tomato Ketchup 1000 gms Pouch 110.00 116.00 6.00
54. Nido Instant Milk Powder l2x1Kg PK 445.00 465.00 20.00
66. National Mix Pickle Pouch 1000 gms 144.00 156.00 12.00
56. National Mango Pickle Pouch 1000 gms 144.00 156.00 12.00
57. Laziza Vermicellie Kheer Mix 155 gms 37.00 41.00 4.00
58. Laziza Dry Fruit Kheer Mix 160 gms 37.00 41.00 4.00
59. Laziza Kheer Mix 155 gms (all flavours) 37.00 45.00 8.00
60. Laziza Kajoo Kheer Mix155gms 37.00 41.00 4.00
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