Aston University highlights the importance of c-stores

Karim revealed his experiences of the coronavirus pandemic in episode 3 of a podcast series called ‘Aston means business: SMEs adapting to Covid-19 challenges’, presented by journalist Steve Dyson.

The retailer told the podcast that many people in his community had died in recent weeks, including a family staff member of a nearby store, various customers, and close family friends.

Karim, whose supermarket has been trading since 1984, said: “Our main focal point has been we live in the community, we work for the community, and if so we’ll die for the community.”

Professor Monder Ram, the director of the Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship at Aston Business School, was also interviewed for the podcast, and said resilient Asian retail businesses were among the “heroes” of the pandemic.

Listen to episode 3 of ‘Aston means business: SMEs adapting to Covid-19 challenges’ here.