BAZNAS developed Z-Mart, a minimarket with the concept of empowerment for the underprivileged, both sellers and buyers. The first store was built in Selontong and Secanggang village, Langkat District, North Sumatra Province.
Z-Mart was founded in response to the society needs of household supplies. This store serves a purchase in large quantities or wholesale, supplying grocery stalls in the local village.
During this time, local communities have difficulty in reaching the grocery store because of limited access to transportation. In addition, the selling price in the wholesale stalls and famous minimarket is relatively expensive. On the waqf land area of 150 square meters, the Z-Mart stands with Z-Cafe. The location is adjacent to the Mosque of Selotong village which is used as the location for the community's spiritual education.
Z-Mart provides a wide range of community needs, such as oil, sugar, soap, household goods and handicrafts of surrounding communities. Z-Cafe was established to meet the needs of people to socialize while building spiritual values.
A total of 33 mustahik manage the Z-Mart and run the service activities from 6.30 AM until 11 PM. In every prayer time, the Z-Mart shut is closed and will be reopened after the prayers.
Other advantages for the mustahik are the price which is cheaper than that in similar stores and the dividend that they will get every year after the deduction of profits for infaq to the lives of the elderly, as well as encouragement for mustahik who manage the Z-Mart to be able to pay zakat. Meanwhile, the Z-Cafe is operated as a self-service cafe, where customers serve themselves to make coffee, instant noodles, as well as other food and beverages.
Z-Mart is also able to provide commodities that are cheaper than those from Stabat (district capital), at least so said Mr. Agus from Selotong, the owner of one of the eight small shops that takes the supplies from the Z-Mart. Currently, the purchase service is still manuals and the cash registers are being prepared to make the digital services for buyers.
(Source: http://pusat.baznas.go.id | Transl: Amelya/puskasbaznas.com)