Retail frenzy sweeps Indore

Indore is all set to experience a fresh dose of retail therapy, which promises to bring to the city a "never before combo of shop-eat-celebrate". After the successful opening of Pantaloons Lifestyle and Big Bazaar, the company has a few novel plans for the city.

"We will introduce our lifestyle electronics format E-Zone and our lifestyle furniture chain Collection I in Indore by the end of this month. The stores would come up on 30,000 sq ft Treasure Island (the only mall in Indore) by the end of this month", said Pantaloon Retail India head operations (North Zone), Mayur Toshniwal, while talking to the media here.

He added that both the stores would be standalone stores. "The electronics store would be first such store in Indore. Later this year, we plan open more stores in other cities as part of our expansion plans of the brand," he informed. The company has already generated employment for about 300 local youngsters.

Indore is becoming a preferred destination for the big players of both Indian and foreign retail industry. Dubai-based Max Lifestyle decided to start operations in India from Indore with the recent launch of the Max Retail store just before a couple of weeks ago.

"We have found that the Indore consumer is quite modern and willing to welcome new trends. They do not mind spending for quality stuff. Our success with Big Bazaar and Pantaloon Lifestyle bears testimony to the fact," Toshniwal said.

E-Zone will have three sections "� Personal (dealing in mobile phones, iPods etc.), then Home (hawking domestic white goods) and Experience (objects of desire like plasma screens and home theatres), besides the latest upgrades in consumer electronics. 'Collection I' will be stocking home furniture stuff and it would be a combination of the branded and other sets of home furniture for all the classes of people. If the industry sources are to be believed, the Pantaloon group is keen to bring its combo 'Depot" to Indore city in the State soon.

Pantaloon is also planning a chain of family entertainment centres in the town, called F123, which will cater to the corporate bashes as well as birthday parties as well as offering a host of gaming options.