The State Trading Organisation (STO) has announced plans to repurpose its Smart Store in Hulhumalé into a pharmacy, with the transition set to be completed within the next two weeks.
The decision was disclosed by STO Managing Director Shimad Ibrahim during the company’s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday night. According to Shimad, conversion work is already underway, and the new pharmacy will be operational shortly. The move, he said, is part of a broader strategy to strengthen public access to essential healthcare services in the growing urban centre.
Originally launched in July 2023, the Smart Store was developed as a tech-forward retail outlet integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve shopping efficiency. It was located in Hulhumalé Phase 1 at the site of a former STO outlet. Despite the innovation, the store reportedly struggled to attract consistent customer traffic, prompting the company’s decision to redirect its utility.
In addition to the conversion, STO has unveiled plans to open two more pharmacies in both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of Hulhumalé. Shimad emphasised that these expansions are part of the company’s social responsibility mission to ensure the availability of vital medicines, rather than being driven by profit motives.
To reinforce this initiative, STO has also signed an agreement with an Indian pharmaceutical firm to facilitate a steady and reliable supply of essential drugs. The partnership aims to address potential shortages and maintain a consistent inventory across all its pharmacies.
STO’s shift from AI-powered retail to healthcare underscores its responsiveness to community needs, as well as its willingness to adapt in pursuit of public welfare. As Hulhumalé’s population continues to grow, access to pharmaceutical services remains a key concern—one that STO appears committed to addressing through this latest initiative.
