tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82585293400161572362024-03-13T05:08:40.142+05:30My Retail JourneyNotes of a Retailer by Profession and Choice!Shriram, The Retailerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431705150226677933noreply@blogger.comBlogger307125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258529340016157236.post-43833587314429675662024-01-22T22:59:00.005+05:302024-01-27T20:07:11.995+05:30A Firefly finally takes off<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: helvetica; text-align: justify;">Monday - 22 Jan. ‘24 is a very important day in my professional life. I complete eight months today in my role as Executive Vice President at Daily Thanthi’s digital start-up division. But that’s not why it is such a significant day.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">“Minmini” has been in the making for the last 30 months or so. And today, it has taken wings to fly through the globe and connect Tamils together. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitn9lS2234eFdsRZWTj2Nmr-GyQ0ldzpYOOcUdYC7C9idQt2yXP2hmQjvIu08EIo1-TvJ7ndQsiBXwAMjQr-gUCP-yICZWa23Pg0BdRuTTxozzTj-YDRe-B7RoCrZkYwS_AuRzvWrk8OZDhruYbqNfUjTDEej2EWYRt5m9zKTpBHTt0SUj5YkvSWU_KxM/s4032/IMG_1372.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitn9lS2234eFdsRZWTj2Nmr-GyQ0ldzpYOOcUdYC7C9idQt2yXP2hmQjvIu08EIo1-TvJ7ndQsiBXwAMjQr-gUCP-yICZWa23Pg0BdRuTTxozzTj-YDRe-B7RoCrZkYwS_AuRzvWrk8OZDhruYbqNfUjTDEej2EWYRt5m9zKTpBHTt0SUj5YkvSWU_KxM/s320/IMG_1372.jpeg" width="240" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What started off as a digital transformation exercise at the group level, with the Vision of our Group Chairman and Managing Director Thiru Balasubramaniam Adityan, has now evolved into a full-fledged hyperlocal social app, ready to welcome users across the world and be a single platform for sharing posts, videos and collaborate on many other things.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When I first met him for my interview a few days ahead of Pongal 2023, the concept was still at an ideation stage, even as M/s Accenture was strategically advising the organisation as well as developing the product. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_bE_W6lFwoJKVkCIEQ97iFupxTi5y8bbK3vatMZNtEI-6erbr9tMmsWawu8ajLb3KtD-rYk8R5e1vcGU9R0HOm43Agr_jFnnjxrcQoXPk4FtO3MI-n5d_OmBYZMSkvnwdKsBqzBnTqurEH0_joTef_7LYxoMz4P58ebC3TcLDwCr-5aeEUKPjLU87PU/s4096/6c6baf4c-c69a-42d4-a262-1a9b9ec49bd4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="4096" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_bE_W6lFwoJKVkCIEQ97iFupxTi5y8bbK3vatMZNtEI-6erbr9tMmsWawu8ajLb3KtD-rYk8R5e1vcGU9R0HOm43Agr_jFnnjxrcQoXPk4FtO3MI-n5d_OmBYZMSkvnwdKsBqzBnTqurEH0_joTef_7LYxoMz4P58ebC3TcLDwCr-5aeEUKPjLU87PU/w400-h225/6c6baf4c-c69a-42d4-a262-1a9b9ec49bd4.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">From just being an alternative to the likes of “Reels” and “Shorts”, Minmini has taken giant strides over the months and is now the first hyperlocal social app focussed on local and global Tamils and is ready to connect digital users to the retail fraternity around them.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />During the days of brainstorming and internal meetings since I joined in May ‘23, several ideas have evolved on how the local communities could come together, embrace each other economically and drive the society towards a single purpose of prosperity.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Minmini will eventually host lakhs of shops, shopkeepers and service providers such as electricians, carpenters, plumbers, mechanics, tuition teachers, tailors, drivers and every self-employed person to assist them spread their network. And all this comes “free” to the users as well as the professionals as they discover one another around them. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCyoi2PuZH4GP3HoIq9qkllrxwKPsTTZKXYxkS9LImEDNFV6MaPzoSVXUIdLflyYG-hSIJrajxI2egFZvr_1jKNa3t8hmBT3ae1ooUf7ZOMt_Tr5LGCqGpMVHWiV2A5RFAQfNTGNmmmAMOBW5AfYyM3XTq3gKmleKXOeBI_lrqdc-DR695fOD2gsjvAw/s4032/IMG_2440.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCyoi2PuZH4GP3HoIq9qkllrxwKPsTTZKXYxkS9LImEDNFV6MaPzoSVXUIdLflyYG-hSIJrajxI2egFZvr_1jKNa3t8hmBT3ae1ooUf7ZOMt_Tr5LGCqGpMVHWiV2A5RFAQfNTGNmmmAMOBW5AfYyM3XTq3gKmleKXOeBI_lrqdc-DR695fOD2gsjvAw/w400-h300/IMG_2440.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The newest baby of the eponymous Daily Thanthi group, “Minmini” has taken a flying start today, quite literally. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As you read this article, many of you would have already seen the full-page advertisement in today’s edition of Daily Thanthi across Tamil Nadu, Mumbai, Bangalore, Dubai and Sri Lanka along with today’s edition of Times of India across Tamil Nadu. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Our ads are live on Tv, Radio and several digital properties as well from today onwards. Here’s a link to the press release that appeared earlier today. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7RUNxRSmwpqwesxy9tHeoo3G4-gh-2qk7-cpVv706W7nnl0FUCCRNT8MGXSuiLEl4Mdq0uWSkRkkm0o7aCw09yT1_CBjd1g1Knssmd_jo8m708XJd1iT2u2SK6c2MkKBhLDQE7MxXZH2iFeWPGUjIJeorSmpo-pM35S3pXqU3VAKh73tf0hyp6FVzmA/s1600/c6c1f4c2-cc7a-4167-a605-97947e15bd10.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7RUNxRSmwpqwesxy9tHeoo3G4-gh-2qk7-cpVv706W7nnl0FUCCRNT8MGXSuiLEl4Mdq0uWSkRkkm0o7aCw09yT1_CBjd1g1Knssmd_jo8m708XJd1iT2u2SK6c2MkKBhLDQE7MxXZH2iFeWPGUjIJeorSmpo-pM35S3pXqU3VAKh73tf0hyp6FVzmA/w400-h266/c6c1f4c2-cc7a-4167-a605-97947e15bd10.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I have been on the other side of Retail since 1997 – frontline operations for over a decade followed by Strategic Management and Business Development. Went through the ups and downs of Entrepreneurship and eventually decided to get back to professional employment – to be on this side, the digital side of things. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As Superstar Rajinikanth says in one of his movies as a dialogue, “<i>This is just a trailer, main picture is yet to come!</i>”. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Through Minmini, I believe I have a chance to onboard thousands of small and marginalised retailers on to the digital bandwagon. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If I can make a small difference in the lives of a few hundreds, I will feel happy that one of the main purposes of my life is achieved. Time will tell.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Shriram, The Retailerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431705150226677933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258529340016157236.post-29486183512961560252024-01-07T21:55:00.005+05:302024-01-08T16:19:03.287+05:30My Himalayan Odyssey<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: justify;">Just like every December, my family and I departed on our annual vacation expecting intense flight delays due to fog-related congestions across various airports that converge at Delhi.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: justify;"> </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: justify;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">To our good luck, the flight departed and arrived on time at Indira Gandhi International Airport New Delhi, giving us plenty of time to – shop and dine! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTsldpoI5p-gP_wixH_At_iHIw50IZICnxa0tIiN-jgGeAG6_zsDHEsxRVYwfQuddyFbtpnXeQ4BqlmIC9CN6wpgGLdyOuDTUQYD33scHrepJ_Y7W50Bzdg-3jzMXfhhJK6vm3foBpoCBoRaYDpVi6KRLQbijmYUqofmNx4FETtqeHHf3QkMv4YiSPSM/s4032/IMG_2651.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img alt="A view of the Himalayan peaks from Almora" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTsldpoI5p-gP_wixH_At_iHIw50IZICnxa0tIiN-jgGeAG6_zsDHEsxRVYwfQuddyFbtpnXeQ4BqlmIC9CN6wpgGLdyOuDTUQYD33scHrepJ_Y7W50Bzdg-3jzMXfhhJK6vm3foBpoCBoRaYDpVi6KRLQbijmYUqofmNx4FETtqeHHf3QkMv4YiSPSM/w400-h300/IMG_2651.jpeg" title="A view of the Himalayan peaks from Almora" width="400" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Right from the word “go”, it was a shopping delight for the kids. A bit of airport shopping, in-flight (junk) food and then the eponymous walk along the inner circle at Connaught Place, New Delhi. It was their first visit to one of the retail havens of India and they enjoyed every bit, save for the prying eyes of random people on the streets. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We first ate a hearty meal at Haldiram’s before undertaking the long walk, so as to end up at Wagh Bakri for a pre-dinner snack. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5e4KEczguZG41abMo7mUsWA_l4i9PkNd9vt7HRpO3CajbdSThVEiQ523vzpVcBhc39OJNOB0mfFt8CZuH5OoHceR7OKbUgnvWTrYKC6eiV3_EUiKcmaadfuN4zEU8bcNbgABrxA9C5hsXDXiRWKpaGpdOpvXxYTLv0G7VdwWUR1VhmrAK47ON0mwaunU/s2716/061DA05E-4B4D-4AF2-8D42-661615EB74D5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2716" data-original-width="2716" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5e4KEczguZG41abMo7mUsWA_l4i9PkNd9vt7HRpO3CajbdSThVEiQ523vzpVcBhc39OJNOB0mfFt8CZuH5OoHceR7OKbUgnvWTrYKC6eiV3_EUiKcmaadfuN4zEU8bcNbgABrxA9C5hsXDXiRWKpaGpdOpvXxYTLv0G7VdwWUR1VhmrAK47ON0mwaunU/w400-h400/061DA05E-4B4D-4AF2-8D42-661615EB74D5.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Over the next 5 days, we travelled over 2,000 kms by road and rail across Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. We visited off-beat locations, including temples and high-points on the hills.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">At every point of sale, it was surprising, perhaps I shouldn’t be, that the shopkeepers were accepting payments through UPI. There were instances where the vendor preferred a digital payment, for want of not accepting Rs. 500 and offering change.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLgI0EreRKNzMFj7wJGrK6QE31rwgQaNrh2LHhdYqDkDyPJWLqb56aB0HYJuec7y7uZtFMMQXnIY10sC8H-D72UFT02AOsBigJeX0QIXuX0QQZy3e_YPVY14uwvKXQJSQMCWHpw3XWEZYAGm3Lv95biGk6LDpA62xzZ32txqrb2pV2hxoI1JdLerX2H0/s4032/IMG_2633.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLgI0EreRKNzMFj7wJGrK6QE31rwgQaNrh2LHhdYqDkDyPJWLqb56aB0HYJuec7y7uZtFMMQXnIY10sC8H-D72UFT02AOsBigJeX0QIXuX0QQZy3e_YPVY14uwvKXQJSQMCWHpw3XWEZYAGm3Lv95biGk6LDpA62xzZ32txqrb2pV2hxoI1JdLerX2H0/w300-h400/IMG_2633.jpeg" width="300" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Until 2017, this was a dream, rather a nightmare. It was not just important to carry along a Debit card, the town or city needed to have a functional ATM too. So, one had to carry adequate cash to shop, eat and consume goods and services. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It is indeed incredible that in a quaint little town such as Bageshwar that the roadside vendor selling groundnuts was willing to accept Rs. 30 using UPI. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyru50np7xGklVIa2a5sW54MLkuBwoVFjhraigxiJH3POLKVCYZT4WqTiDxn9QFT59TqV6tNjZdAoB9KawLxFF_SN4w6JwQwwHEN61B6Wprq02jTAQgtpp0IWIAgsmIDxmL7f45OOhDWvOPj1uZ4N7DLe8JzH2oPNncFsBNpN4XB9ObM1_Q1_cdGi3Uk/s4032/IMG_2538.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyru50np7xGklVIa2a5sW54MLkuBwoVFjhraigxiJH3POLKVCYZT4WqTiDxn9QFT59TqV6tNjZdAoB9KawLxFF_SN4w6JwQwwHEN61B6Wprq02jTAQgtpp0IWIAgsmIDxmL7f45OOhDWvOPj1uZ4N7DLe8JzH2oPNncFsBNpN4XB9ObM1_Q1_cdGi3Uk/w400-h300/IMG_2538.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Jageshwar, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited and offered his prayers, has atleast 50 shops and each one of them offer various items including pooja articles, trinkets, gifts and much more. All of them accept UPI payments, though many of them do not even have a credit card swiping machine. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzzQDZlvO-s0-V0IcMFuHz512MT0rUPJZWLeVTCOHWCZIqYtrVgdMtGIcRNA6G0dXPcByWIf2t5HAw_iCLNew' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">While a lot of credit would go to the Modi-style governance, I would also give it 100% to the users – shopkeepers and consumers for embracing UPI-based payments. And seamlessly. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">India is shinning and will further shine for the next 10-15 years, irrespective of which political party will rule the country. A continuity in regime will certainly help improve governance. The consumer boom will continue to stay as well, what with a growing middle class which is on a spending spree, whether it is during festivals or otherwise.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXt6T7ZWxKdb9BqmnLIr2e2eaCqK41q7hd2NmzumGs9BcaCeoMLOIz7Y3g6BB1sIoDqfVloT29wuIhoaFuUW1Opg8lcO4456kFGIqgVgPj_k3oWdVvGF8iUFvbKPdx8OraPtOEJVrWoxi5ZyA-vehPGqyble54yIben1ErfUinREq5Sw4_5KrdwemXfn4/s1200/IMG_0825.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXt6T7ZWxKdb9BqmnLIr2e2eaCqK41q7hd2NmzumGs9BcaCeoMLOIz7Y3g6BB1sIoDqfVloT29wuIhoaFuUW1Opg8lcO4456kFGIqgVgPj_k3oWdVvGF8iUFvbKPdx8OraPtOEJVrWoxi5ZyA-vehPGqyble54yIben1ErfUinREq5Sw4_5KrdwemXfn4/w400-h300/IMG_0825.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The tourism opportunity is opening big time in the country and domestic tourism spends are expected to double in the next 10 years. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">PM Modi’s recent visit to Lakshwadeep islands to promote tourism is nothing new. In 2019, he met the Chinese Premier at Mamallapuram, near Chennai, a historic travel point. Since then, visitors to the coastal town have swelled, post pandemic especially, including the springing up of various hotels, resorts, home stays and lodges. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT9cskimsXImLb1hBZ_b4nVRYADCWhAGbNL4LPqUVeq-V2BWsbqxRF56ign1MKdQouGS-DWrjgEE_xz7ZhUa43VU9wVFb57o9dV-_qoxKqf51as2niRaX_WDdJNpCj68k2ZZmRNejbmwZZCmwxvaQ_p_9g9oJDAGUCbFyWvaWWWCiyTTfh0YbYiwRFcmk/s4032/IMG_2673.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT9cskimsXImLb1hBZ_b4nVRYADCWhAGbNL4LPqUVeq-V2BWsbqxRF56ign1MKdQouGS-DWrjgEE_xz7ZhUa43VU9wVFb57o9dV-_qoxKqf51as2niRaX_WDdJNpCj68k2ZZmRNejbmwZZCmwxvaQ_p_9g9oJDAGUCbFyWvaWWWCiyTTfh0YbYiwRFcmk/w400-h300/IMG_2673.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Similarly there have been many such examples of our PM promoting Indian tourism. Which is well followed by consumerism at its best. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I have already swore I will tour more within India in 2024. We have shortlisted a few locations for our summer vacation during the last weekend. Where are you travelling next? Share your story.</span></p>Shriram, The Retailerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431705150226677933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258529340016157236.post-32064699930736374672023-11-08T18:01:00.000+05:302023-11-08T18:01:25.205+05:30We are already working 70+ hrs, Mr. Murthy<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The world is split into two for the last week or so, ever since India’s self-made billionaire and tech mogul Mr. Narayana Murthy (NRN) said India and Indians should work long hours. It was a tete-a-tete with his former Co-Founder Mr. Mohandas Pai where he drew a parallel and to various developing economies of the previous century. </span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Mr. Murthy corroborated and said that our countrymen and women should take it up as national pride and commitment to work 70 hours a week and drive the economy further, just how Germany and Japan did after the World War 2. </span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">A lot has been said (and remains unsaid) by top leaders, chiefs of conglomerates, politicians, State Heads, and so on, responding to NRN’s views. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFgAveYSftqO12cbgshHs4ZlbibfxUqarz6eqnoTQEyqullEE6SVAATdQx1VkAGDPhaBtwhunpw2PkIVwsALMj5G19OyqE4lpdLepWNptL1ATjoR7v_OhhOv0AyByqRAnciGyAc1RgyqfUM1VkI6PEpfmS4TfGuGkVXubW6NUxud3NOnZ1qKVQfqOwyw/s2388/IMG_0708.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1346" data-original-width="2388" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFgAveYSftqO12cbgshHs4ZlbibfxUqarz6eqnoTQEyqullEE6SVAATdQx1VkAGDPhaBtwhunpw2PkIVwsALMj5G19OyqE4lpdLepWNptL1ATjoR7v_OhhOv0AyByqRAnciGyAc1RgyqfUM1VkI6PEpfmS4TfGuGkVXubW6NUxud3NOnZ1qKVQfqOwyw/w400-h225/IMG_0708.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The father-in law of the current British Prime Minister Mr. Rishi Sunak, has been known to be a workaholic for well over 50 years. I travelled with him in the same flight in 2005 from Bangalore’s HAL Airport to New Delhi. He sat in the first row of the Economy class of the now defunct Jet Airways without much fuss. </span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">When I requested him for an autograph on a book that I bought specifically at the airport for this purpose, he politely declined, though he spent a few minutes chatting with me enquiring my whereabouts.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Exactly a year later in 2007, another Co-Founder of Infosys, Mr. Kris Gopalakrishnan and I travelled in the first class of Singapore Airlines from Bangalore to Singapore, where I was a speaker on India’s aviation future at a much revered global conference. We hardly spoke with each other as it was a midnight flight, but it was a warm eye-connect between the two of us.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSp-fdlwbltz8e7Q9NM2IoyBDmtGiNHxtpxwHcp4xJey46uKAy-4czj2WJEKyeZabAaQX2CoCjDfh2VDYEh7CQrN2thy784Y73aQJiYTlY2CjuV8OHa6Pk7f-khCtW-F-aKsJ2BG9g7epjzW7qRn4mGvXNGxwthVsBOhrA4hnNttD8LYp8RNHkmFWtdc/s1600/Shri%20003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSp-fdlwbltz8e7Q9NM2IoyBDmtGiNHxtpxwHcp4xJey46uKAy-4czj2WJEKyeZabAaQX2CoCjDfh2VDYEh7CQrN2thy784Y73aQJiYTlY2CjuV8OHa6Pk7f-khCtW-F-aKsJ2BG9g7epjzW7qRn4mGvXNGxwthVsBOhrA4hnNttD8LYp8RNHkmFWtdc/w400-h300/Shri%20003.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">No comparisons between the two, but to each his own. Infosys has been built brick by brick, click by click rather, by millions of former and present employees of the company, which was one of the front-runners of the late 90s and all through the 2000s in shaping India as the “back office of the world’s IT needs”. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">If NRN has worked for 70 hours or more a week during his prime years, so have many of his employees. And many, across IT and ITES in India continue to do so till date. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">In fact, after the Govt. imposed and later on, self-imposed WFH regimen by scores of Indians since the first ever Covid-19 led lockdown from Mar. ‘20 onwards, employees have been working for over 70 hours a week, if we were to include intermittent times spent on calls, chats and email over dinner table, on weekends and during vacations.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Earlier this year in May, I proudly completed 26 years in retail. I started my career scooping ice-cream part time from 11am to 3pm at Chennai’s first and India’s second Baskin Robbins parlour way back in 1997. I would attend NIIT to learn computer languages from 7am for 2 hours and completed my graduation at RKM Vivekananda College in the evening from 4pm till 8pm. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUntrWDS4iphT2JWdPOQ8Cltq4Po0keOSzqwqgVDA-fA7dLNdP9Y5JnhJnvE25BjMdipRkxmYLlJPTJST3raaiAuhzsEKj8sbNH8MU57ufnuZwGqgRE0IzUquEveqhKqctw8gBG67Dz1R9JS_lwxkVD_9KVBm1wKkfkWFK_5y_IQM8R6hlh23xO-ndyM4/s4320/DSC00081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUntrWDS4iphT2JWdPOQ8Cltq4Po0keOSzqwqgVDA-fA7dLNdP9Y5JnhJnvE25BjMdipRkxmYLlJPTJST3raaiAuhzsEKj8sbNH8MU57ufnuZwGqgRE0IzUquEveqhKqctw8gBG67Dz1R9JS_lwxkVD_9KVBm1wKkfkWFK_5y_IQM8R6hlh23xO-ndyM4/w400-h300/DSC00081.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">After I finished my MBA in Marketing, I joined RPG Retail where I worked in consumer facing retail formats in Store Operations roles at Musicworld and Foodworld at Kolkata & Chennai respectively. This was followed by tenures at The Future Group and Café Coffee Day – gaining significant experience in front-end retail as well as Strategic Management. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">All along, it was a 6-day workweek for most of us, especially serving consumer aspirations, as scores of Indians came out to spend their earnings in new, shiny retail formats. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Last week, Bengaluru’s northern suburb, Hebbal witnessed the opening of one of Asia’s largest shopping centres, aptly titled “Mall of Asia”. As much as there was celebration inside the mall, there was a severe traffic jam outside and on both sides of the National Highway (cum Airport Road) leading to the mall. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">People complained on social media with photos and videos about the massive traffic jams (while they were indeed the traffic!), which was picked up and reported extensively by mainstream media. What no one shared was the lives and strains of retail employees inside this mall and many hundreds across India, over ten million at last count in organised retail, who are working towards uplifting their own lives, their families and the Indian Economy.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uk4B40Vc7nk" width="320" youtube-src-id="uk4B40Vc7nk"></iframe></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Many of us, millions of us rather, Mr. Murthy are already spending over 70hrs a week at work. This includes those employed in the pharma and para-medical industry, hospital staff, semi-professional services, those working for formal transportation businesses and so on. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Of course, our beloved staff of Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto, Dunzo, Flipkart and Amazon (in who’s Indian entity, NRN’s Catamaran Ventures was a majority shareholder until last year) who deliver us stuff from 6am till 10pm. </span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The traffic jams in India are unique and mostly self-made, where urbanites spend over 90 mins a day driving from/to work. This is also a part of the 70-hr work week. In a city like Bangalore, where the condos and apartments are mostly owned by IT & ITES professionals, the EMIs to banks flow through people who work over 70 hours a week, who ironically end up living in compromised, rental houses for well over half their lives!</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKaMkCnMZX-6ZwXO6fG3BYpFPd29lbVHWeDIFckT-s-o2VfETkA4JfFCW36WgKlaBwkWW8LtYlMsn9pfm2EFB5IhdLZ1p3AJDyzCpusqoOHIM9wLgVeuanA6hwWLGW-IcYj04NXihoTUl0ZDzObmSOqWB2BKHPDniu-cW602p5xsqTsWu34g3ZRwMbs4/s4032/IMG_1609.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKaMkCnMZX-6ZwXO6fG3BYpFPd29lbVHWeDIFckT-s-o2VfETkA4JfFCW36WgKlaBwkWW8LtYlMsn9pfm2EFB5IhdLZ1p3AJDyzCpusqoOHIM9wLgVeuanA6hwWLGW-IcYj04NXihoTUl0ZDzObmSOqWB2BKHPDniu-cW602p5xsqTsWu34g3ZRwMbs4/w400-h300/IMG_1609.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The pressures of being employed are, at times, worse than the nightmares of several self-made Entrepreneurs who dread interest and debt repayments. EMIs for salaried people, on the other hand is a domiciles sword which hangs above one’s head all the time, all through their lives.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">What we don’t expect or even ask for often, especially in retail Mr. Murthy, is an appreciation of our work. At least, do give us an acknowledgement that we are overworked as a tribe. And that’s enough. About our contribution to nation-building, lesser said the better, Sir.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></div>Shriram, The Retailerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431705150226677933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258529340016157236.post-43970029132254287482023-10-26T21:57:00.004+05:302023-10-26T22:01:55.004+05:30The joys of festival shopping<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Come festivals and its shopping time. Families flock together to shop, dine and celebrate the festive times with their extended social circles. While the big ticket shopping such as electric appliances, consumer durables, clothing, fashion, jewellery, automobiles and upholstery for are common, what is intriguing is the endless small-ticket shopping that happens on-and-off during these periods.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Navarathri / Dushera / Dassera / Pujo was celebrated for the past fortnight as I pen this article.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUF-UPxk0uVT042H-AMPW4Vat3AdCnE4Y6R7PMfY_Ln20ftHjcSo_LGDTLppyXfEHcrnZZEdKKJGbiyyVqXooUyeJLfRpA-7BUtf-NKRXwH2oF4hXvEA03bwv5R8K3a1Gw6lwkwaNdIwp0eUlCp64-62_zLveU1nthfxbj4c6_qJBDxUzUMqEQ8kD32Kw/s4032/IMG_1006.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUF-UPxk0uVT042H-AMPW4Vat3AdCnE4Y6R7PMfY_Ln20ftHjcSo_LGDTLppyXfEHcrnZZEdKKJGbiyyVqXooUyeJLfRpA-7BUtf-NKRXwH2oF4hXvEA03bwv5R8K3a1Gw6lwkwaNdIwp0eUlCp64-62_zLveU1nthfxbj4c6_qJBDxUzUMqEQ8kD32Kw/w400-h300/IMG_1006.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">The flavour and fervour of these celebrations is distinct in various parts of the country. In one region, it is Goddess Durga who is worshipped primarily while in some others, it is the trio of Goddesses Durga – Lakshmi – Saraswathi who are celebrated for nine days, three each. And in another part of the country, Lord Rama’s arrival to Ayodhya from Lanka after the destruction of King Ravana is celebrated. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">In a different planet altogether, scores of Indians are using the festive holidays as a noble excuse to travel to their hometowns or to vacation locations such as hill stations, spending time with their own selves, their families and friends and by boosting the local economy. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">In Tamil Nadu, especially in the city of my Madras (now known as Chennai), the festivities are largely around two areas – festivities and special pujas at temples and the revered Navarathri Kolu – the doll exhibition display at homes. The origin of this cultural aspect of displaying dolls at homes is not exactly clear from our past texts but has been a practice for long. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXb0orb49DeXvgs9j6hXe1wEOjxKa90vUcvKSRmUcxEfho_h9T8XSmI2NNfpLljkM1lJGq-B_7jmI6U_7kN9kAdYDJeOeZ3fCNKjxMRkUBMvGG6yZiaknwFGX0ZCECCZP2oR0Cpj1Swf2xovEtQ_xfS9-JpzH5m4MrNkozuKs5Z86_zd5qmqOOEwPZskU/s4032/IMG_1287.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXb0orb49DeXvgs9j6hXe1wEOjxKa90vUcvKSRmUcxEfho_h9T8XSmI2NNfpLljkM1lJGq-B_7jmI6U_7kN9kAdYDJeOeZ3fCNKjxMRkUBMvGG6yZiaknwFGX0ZCECCZP2oR0Cpj1Swf2xovEtQ_xfS9-JpzH5m4MrNkozuKs5Z86_zd5qmqOOEwPZskU/w400-h300/IMG_1287.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">What we understand from elders and those from previous generations, is that during this period, scores of dolls made of clay and painted with colourful vignettes were displayed at temples of yore, so devotees can see how the idols and forms of Gods and Goddesses are at various shrines in the Bharatha desa (desam / desh for those who prefer that way!). <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">This was because mobility of people across the country was quite limited over 100-200 years ago and one would just have to imagine how idols were imagined, based on texts and hear say. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">What began as a display at temples slowly penetrated to homes, with similar displays coming up at houses. Families and households would alternate and exchange the idol displays at their homes each year and the entire celebration would be around the nine-day festival. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2-sKvV7R3AE4PNopcA7hYgLccK09x-P4J2wICK-XIe7O5da0tDk_j-0kNfFFIAhMr1xFES81_OXpE8gZb1czm8rn2KjVNXAiYuBD9ETmnqy2e-tgkDEuWwmqolI6wE1gudw-gC94xQ4NJSUcKv-3XVcaN7aE7kl3s-0mPemHJC44_OQjdToDm8JqUyc/s4032/IMG_0966.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2-sKvV7R3AE4PNopcA7hYgLccK09x-P4J2wICK-XIe7O5da0tDk_j-0kNfFFIAhMr1xFES81_OXpE8gZb1czm8rn2KjVNXAiYuBD9ETmnqy2e-tgkDEuWwmqolI6wE1gudw-gC94xQ4NJSUcKv-3XVcaN7aE7kl3s-0mPemHJC44_OQjdToDm8JqUyc/w300-h400/IMG_0966.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Visitors would go hopping from one home to another to see the dolls’ display, sing songs on the deities, chant religious texts, exchange gifts and have a hearty laughter with their kith and kin.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">The local economy, meanwhile thrived. It was the smallest of the sellers, vendors and retailers who would serve the society with their requirements and hence made handsome money during this time. Food items, especially the nine pulses are served by host families to guests.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">From the neighbourhood grocer to the unorganised sellers of flowers, fruits and other household items are the biggest beneficiaries, come Navarathri, especiallin in Tamil Nadu. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">The past fortnight for us has been among the most fulfilling over the last so many years when we celebrated the 9-day festival. We had over 50 guests come home and we visited several households too. Almost every guest brought us something and we reciprocated the same during our visits too. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bn7ToeNK8kE" width="320" youtube-src-id="Bn7ToeNK8kE"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">For those who couldn't visit us this Navarathri, here is the link of our home Kolu. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">I was so happy spending money with local and roadside vendors buying so many things and my better half went shopping for new idols this year too, just like any other year.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Festivals are all about giving, as much about receiving good wishes from friends and family and blessings from elders and the Gods. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">However, it is also about spending money – especially in the context of Retail – to boost the local economy. We did our best and ensured the “online shopping” from Apps with discounts were as minimal as possible – an anathema that the entire offline retail industry is struggling for the past so many months, especially. <span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p>Shriram, The Retailerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431705150226677933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258529340016157236.post-208731424739327862023-09-27T07:15:00.000+05:302023-09-27T07:15:10.853+05:30Reminiscing the past<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">It’s been over 5 months since I wrote anything on this blog, especially. Not that I didn’t have anything to observe, even better to share my experiences in retail as I learn a thing or two new every passing day. Frankly, the last 4 months have been overwhelming to say the least.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">In my new role as Executive Vice President that I am helming at the Daily Thanthi Group - the world’s oldest and in-continuous production Tamil language publication for over 80 years, we are building an incredible digital product that has the potential to touch millions of lives, especially the small and marginalised retailers.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">More on that, later.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Yesterday, 26 September was the 9<sup>th</sup> Founding Day of my first entrepreneurial (mis)adventure Smiling Baby. Conceived as a one-stop baby-shop focussing on young parents and their little ones, we opened the first store on this day in 2014. Located right opposite to the city’s famed Malar Hospital at Adyar, the concept had the potential to spread its wings across the 33+ districts (back then) of Tamil Nadu. What remains today, is several crores of money invested without returns, memories, good and bad and a lot of life lessons.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0x2Loyy731Xd-_xBcMDh9gdkEa363G3Ap_EOe4FnrP0buNCiK1ipWrAvoeV5eWaHS_Hi_hhmaWODzJfV1qdPSINFclf4W4ICy_UIZc-he17hsW-ckJQlUedjD7wznxx9OXqC-JAFZTnjdkBIlGZc1RzUKRw4tsSIrKcme_lNKYBKqosNcCu0gfqlgrLk/s1125/0C860D1F-0D7B-4E8D-A4C6-DD8E55DC3AE9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="1125" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0x2Loyy731Xd-_xBcMDh9gdkEa363G3Ap_EOe4FnrP0buNCiK1ipWrAvoeV5eWaHS_Hi_hhmaWODzJfV1qdPSINFclf4W4ICy_UIZc-he17hsW-ckJQlUedjD7wznxx9OXqC-JAFZTnjdkBIlGZc1RzUKRw4tsSIrKcme_lNKYBKqosNcCu0gfqlgrLk/w400-h354/0C860D1F-0D7B-4E8D-A4C6-DD8E55DC3AE9.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">I didn’t fathom the courage to write this piece yesterday. One, It was a long and busy day at work. And these thoughts do not come when I am positively preoccupied with things I enjoy doing. Second, I didn’t want to strain my emotions further on such a day.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">I was an accidental Entrepreneur. My father was a Foreman at ITC Ltd., a class-8 pass-out turned factory worker for 33 years. My mother was a school teacher and ensured she superannuated, even though my elder sister and I were already working. My parents taught me to stand on my own legs, never to borrow money and live within our own means. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">I never had a childhood / youth-hood aspiration to become an Entrepreneur ever. It was always a safe sail that was preferred, from my spouse to parents and my closely knit circle of friends. In fact, none of them pursue their own businesses. So, it was always a salaried job, slog till one can, save as much for a rainy day and die peacefully. I lived that life for 35 years.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUfhbY4hq000SS6R7cv0M7kIaSCwdpXTj2bEYoEk4bqTSCl-feTY9bqH7VK_qnEuj7WFGBfV3Clb_kJjnM6yYlXtTbdKEkOtxujcLvktLXLL3xc80rVRSmxHaDJP3Uer1gpTeypaBNzeLKK1Qdw3tOygSeWHhhLf6uEU9TGBEPZeP-4kN8oTeFIC6-GY/s2048/DSC_0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUfhbY4hq000SS6R7cv0M7kIaSCwdpXTj2bEYoEk4bqTSCl-feTY9bqH7VK_qnEuj7WFGBfV3Clb_kJjnM6yYlXtTbdKEkOtxujcLvktLXLL3xc80rVRSmxHaDJP3Uer1gpTeypaBNzeLKK1Qdw3tOygSeWHhhLf6uEU9TGBEPZeP-4kN8oTeFIC6-GY/w400-h266/DSC_0123.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">In 2014, I was pushed to entrepreneurship – by none other than myself. Not that there was a void of job opportunities for me; in fact that was one of the best periods for me professionally. However, shopping every other weekend for my second child, I felt that there was an insatiable opportunity in the baby care, kids care and maternity space. Just like most other Entrepreneurs in India who started off with their wife’s hard earned savings, I too did the same. We invested almost One Crore rupees in the venture, to set-up a world class baby products store, backed with technology powered by GoFrugal technologies (now owned by Zoho) and a solid business plan that we went about sharing with potential investors. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">A very few close well wishers whom we approached, advised me not to pursue this venture, instead of encouraging me with their financial investments. They were worried about their risk-taking abilities on a retail concept which was 98% semi-organised in India back then. None of our friends were in a position to invest, as they were struggling to pay their own EMIs and maintain a certain lifestyle. Well noted.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiql_jNS0gLvnVB1wz8oJynncp7XuKXmkEib5f_wz2ug9ut4gkKCnmG5kCPWkasSCKxfwa5TuINZjHRWnUriBEyr9yd3zJYqhX1k3GWW2G7IVzPNix-tpokipTnfyB28NJFFbzG2s1U_UczPF33vNcuY4lxMpV6d88YMTddAi3Z6jtnGYTKL1lIRMeMT4U/s1200/Bplan%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiql_jNS0gLvnVB1wz8oJynncp7XuKXmkEib5f_wz2ug9ut4gkKCnmG5kCPWkasSCKxfwa5TuINZjHRWnUriBEyr9yd3zJYqhX1k3GWW2G7IVzPNix-tpokipTnfyB28NJFFbzG2s1U_UczPF33vNcuY4lxMpV6d88YMTddAi3Z6jtnGYTKL1lIRMeMT4U/w400-h266/Bplan%201.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">We managed to pivot an omni-channel model with a 3-hour delivery, a franchise model, just-in-time inventory supply chain system (that actually worked well) and expanded up to 5 stores across three cities in Tamil Nadu. Our concept of setting-up a small unit at a leading maternity hospital in Coimbatore turned out to be a game-changer. Even though potential investors refused to wake up and smell the coffee, my suppliers kept encouraging me, especially for the straightforward and clean business activities that we undertook. For the record, I ensured a 100% cash-and-carry model with zero credit. Childhood habits and upbringing, perhaps. However, from a cash flow perspective, I was locking up all my money against stocks without any leverage but future sales, though I was making 2-3% extra margins.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">After pitching to over 30+ leading pre-Series A investors across India, I decided to give up. Not on my dream of setting up India’s largest regional retail chain in the niche that is “baby care”, rather being fed-up of justifying why I had to quit my corporate career to pursue a business. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Some where outright honest – they said my aspirations were not big enough since I was not expecting or working towards a huge valuation outcome and a handsome exit for myself over a 5-7 period. A lot of them said I should remain unprofitable for many years by focussing on topline (sales) and pay salaries and marketing through funds raised. A few said that I should borrow big, both equity as well as debt from Investors. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmw_L-wOG0VsMeLcAsGnsMsmN2KjFRkxSAwDKhM1YqKoV2149n3qgYJPqvV6EDJCl46PLI71tOCYzuUUWIayThJXBdJIbIP2e3ZFogiRh9PDUwLNMrES_-ueWZblpM53GQetG3uR9W28Aan99aBYeCbXCD4mIq0XTv3Emu3__5n2z2EA_aRcz2aw-WFQ/s720/011082de7aa988877dc6158142b0762e214bb363ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="720" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmw_L-wOG0VsMeLcAsGnsMsmN2KjFRkxSAwDKhM1YqKoV2149n3qgYJPqvV6EDJCl46PLI71tOCYzuUUWIayThJXBdJIbIP2e3ZFogiRh9PDUwLNMrES_-ueWZblpM53GQetG3uR9W28Aan99aBYeCbXCD4mIq0XTv3Emu3__5n2z2EA_aRcz2aw-WFQ/w400-h355/011082de7aa988877dc6158142b0762e214bb363ed.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">I didn’t want to skip my dinner and a 7-hour sleep everyday like many other entrepreneurs who had done this “mistake” before, so I decided to let it go. After losing several crores of hard earned money, a fledgling career that could have turned out to be an even more prosperous work-life and several sleepless nights on my inability of staying afloat, I called it quits in August 2019. I still believe it was one of the best decisions of my life. “Stop losing more money” was not just my mind voice but a writing on the wall. Loud and clear. I quit.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">As I went to sleep last night, all I could remember was the learnings, the hardships, the insults, the helplessness of staying in the business to keep my aspirations live and most importantly, the time I lost trying to build an incredible business model in a niche, that continues to remain even more narrowed till date. There is not a single, regional, offline retail chain in India which has a standardised baby products offering. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Will I start ever again from the ashes – perhaps a BIG no. While I continue to remain a risk-taker in other streams of life, raising money and selling lies to investors is not something I am capable of. Interestingly, and I have seen a hundred such instances in the last 9 years, that is exactly what Investors want – a sugar coated approach where they pass on their risks!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMh72vf_MDYo1ynxt6e-rJT7dsnvq3a6DjpbxF7FGxGmQZcp3njEu4IXvMsyvTPX7Fc3OUoBHP-nvxOWdlzN7i18ljizpYAESgHTl1Ey2ZZM-fKfvxUdBjttXVQvqe_c5PiPsmo3MbhwOLqRP8UddpLG3Gc0RLpQK72Ms4LGPPBI5ToLJvtuGRZbCad8/s750/018e7a9d1f304469a39a10347cd393e6ce3a277c3d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="750" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMh72vf_MDYo1ynxt6e-rJT7dsnvq3a6DjpbxF7FGxGmQZcp3njEu4IXvMsyvTPX7Fc3OUoBHP-nvxOWdlzN7i18ljizpYAESgHTl1Ey2ZZM-fKfvxUdBjttXVQvqe_c5PiPsmo3MbhwOLqRP8UddpLG3Gc0RLpQK72Ms4LGPPBI5ToLJvtuGRZbCad8/w400-h393/018e7a9d1f304469a39a10347cd393e6ce3a277c3d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Scars remain, memories scare sometimes, but Life moves on. And so is the case with me. <o:p></o:p></p>Shriram, The Retailerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431705150226677933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258529340016157236.post-16140747434762020002023-04-29T09:44:00.005+05:302023-04-29T09:44:45.444+05:30Brand Tags and why they matter<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">When I wore a new T-shirt during a weekend holiday earlier this month, my teenage daughter pondered why I chose this one with a loud-brand name on it, as usually I go mellow on displaying brand love. Even my walking shoes would hardly display the swoosh or the cat or the three stripes. It has been years since I bought formal shirts which bore the “iconic crown” on the cuffs. But even those would be gelled in to the fabric colour. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">So much for a person like me who is brand-conscious but not displaying it in public.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">On the contrary, many brands, especially fashion apparel make sure their company / brand names are loudly displayed on their products. Even on PCs, HP, Dell, Lenovo and Acer – the top 4 companies with a collective market share of 95% in the personal computing space display their names while Apple shows just the logo.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy03zeNYRPSQTiJI74xl_JbSqz00EHeClCjZf6kCQv-j7N06SD58PendxidZZPz3ZvajK4ytyyRE1IqkTokFb2e-Cu7UuWqUk5HUkTcvh8XkjUowVWFJEebQX7IhGpSuo3MHlg6DTKWbPNHmV0REtnCOo0sWwMUHN97qJyIyh0ZJLKI0TD8alVEr5A/s1024/IMG_3272.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy03zeNYRPSQTiJI74xl_JbSqz00EHeClCjZf6kCQv-j7N06SD58PendxidZZPz3ZvajK4ytyyRE1IqkTokFb2e-Cu7UuWqUk5HUkTcvh8XkjUowVWFJEebQX7IhGpSuo3MHlg6DTKWbPNHmV0REtnCOo0sWwMUHN97qJyIyh0ZJLKI0TD8alVEr5A/w400-h300/IMG_3272.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">From Bata shoes to Adidas, Levis T-shirts to Hidesign wallets, one can see the brand names liberally displayed on the products. Though it is easy to identify, premium bikes such as Royal Enfield or Harley Davidson by its looks, have still large, loud brand forms. When the car ignition is turned on, there is a dramatic appearance (with music) of the brand logos, from Honda to Volkswagen and everyone in between. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">While people buy products for their functionality, consumers “pay the price” for brands.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">It is psychological, after all. Essentially, display of brands one uses is one way of display of wealth too. Most people in the world, who earn several lakhs per year (in India) and perhaps over USD 100,000 pa globally are not putting in their efforts for just 3 square meals a day. It is much beyond. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">From the locality and the apartment complex one resides in (especially in India) to the vehicle they drive; filling premium fuel at Shell vs value fuel from HPCL; the brand of eyeliner to the grooming essentials one uses; from the school the kids attend to brands they consume at home from the dining table to the rest rooms, there is an intrinsic tie with the psychological needs, based on the theory of hierarchy proposed by Maslow. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJFTgA0pfBKTqbsRQTt_B4fSQZCCBkwjiIx9Z9fQt4wVZ3vXuWp_YcrwwEJiv6vPVwpcXUs3bg-Lb1vZ_Zl9CV1ZsKZwbpzVNibcVyAlxBTLRVe2MY_uKuN3xAe93T2oDsMIH1CkVsO3fyeV-lyRLjssHmI2dd5iKOM5vNrT97wJp_3ELe_mE_YGK/s1600/IMG_2976.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJFTgA0pfBKTqbsRQTt_B4fSQZCCBkwjiIx9Z9fQt4wVZ3vXuWp_YcrwwEJiv6vPVwpcXUs3bg-Lb1vZ_Zl9CV1ZsKZwbpzVNibcVyAlxBTLRVe2MY_uKuN3xAe93T2oDsMIH1CkVsO3fyeV-lyRLjssHmI2dd5iKOM5vNrT97wJp_3ELe_mE_YGK/w300-h400/IMG_2976.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">As people start moving up the value chain, their desire to consume “brands’ over products increases. I have seen this first hand at hypermarkets such as the erstwhile Big Bazaar. While there would be heaps of dal, sugar and rice piled up in large steel utensils, it would be common for women to interact with the staff to enquire the prices and make mental calculations comparing with the local shopkeeper. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">And then, there would be a small set of customers, who would prefer packaged sugar, salt and grocery. There is, in fact premiumization even in these categories such as pink salt, low-iodine sugar and so on.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">A friend once told me, whether you travel in an Audi or a (Maruti) Alto, the destination is the same, and that both vehicles have just 4 wheels, a steering wheel and an engine. So, why pay a premium? True.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Between a Jockey and a Lux inner wear or Sudarmani how does it matter what one wears, as this is not even to be seen by anyone! Quite true, minus the quality of the fabric, inner comfort, etc. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3e5uJ3XwxA62iuhSNBYz7c8n2YScIwkOrxQFQS6MM_Sky3JzmBvlXSUCVKKkYhfSAodoCK0NpWuANpvqq7ziN5jcqD_Kw4gu3_-11TGUEDXzI5EGEG3DsQjYrZLVRluYj98Ex0kK173LyucSO8Iqf22w2ItR8qjoDnSaIQZbJl_JjIZnoI85dSzM/s1080/IMG_0297.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3e5uJ3XwxA62iuhSNBYz7c8n2YScIwkOrxQFQS6MM_Sky3JzmBvlXSUCVKKkYhfSAodoCK0NpWuANpvqq7ziN5jcqD_Kw4gu3_-11TGUEDXzI5EGEG3DsQjYrZLVRluYj98Ex0kK173LyucSO8Iqf22w2ItR8qjoDnSaIQZbJl_JjIZnoI85dSzM/w400-h400/IMG_0297.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Well, these are the “outlier customers” for brands who do not wish to pay a premium for utility.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">However, as is always said, it takes years to build a brand name while basic products (and services) are offered for their purpose of gratifying a simple need. 2-3 decades back, Indian customers were buying goods and services. In the past 15 years, we have seen branded showrooms for various products mushrooming all over the country. A simple business such as grooming – hair saloon / beuaty parlour – as it was called, is now one of the largest branded business with over 2,500 “salons” across the country. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">There are an estimated 300 malls in India which have the best-in class Indian and international brands. The top 50 apparel, accessories and jewellery brands have in excess of 10,000 exclusive stores, each around 800 sq ft. across the country. Branded coffee shops, from CCD to Starbucks and the much acclaimed neighbourhood favourites, are over 4,000 in India now.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Consumers today are chasing brands and not just the other way around. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqXC38Vs5Gt76vSXYrFeGTe2Rjq1pKY82NWYi2PXQ5050U4IuBTdXoRvnHeIvhwGLAG-y6scySHAqkMYu6raCLjfeAN7iw4nkRfS4Q_1Nl6O-JUj_5OfzxPv3ZapxX6D8piiFFJUO-IOoVMk4yncqo7-9Dxy5HvbOfSYuVBHou8oo7ikc-nAUomMf/s4032/IMG_3140.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqXC38Vs5Gt76vSXYrFeGTe2Rjq1pKY82NWYi2PXQ5050U4IuBTdXoRvnHeIvhwGLAG-y6scySHAqkMYu6raCLjfeAN7iw4nkRfS4Q_1Nl6O-JUj_5OfzxPv3ZapxX6D8piiFFJUO-IOoVMk4yncqo7-9Dxy5HvbOfSYuVBHou8oo7ikc-nAUomMf/w300-h400/IMG_3140.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Two new Apple stores were inaugurated in April 2023 at Mumbai and Delhi. Seeing the crowds waiting to be among the early birds for store inauguration in the past for Ikea, Starbucks, H&M, Uniqlo among others, I can confidently say these two stores would have done tremendous business this month. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">While many companies continue to offer higher importance for the “brand” in the communication – on the product, inside the retail store and other communication material, many small as well as large companies ignore it. Unless there is a deeper focus on brand building, with a long term outlook, existing and new consumer stickiness is going to be minimal or worse, nil. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Indian consumers will buy more branded products in the next few decades. Loud display of affection, from dresses to kitchen knives to drinking glasses to shoes, it is a kind of self-gratification after all.<o:p></o:p></p>Shriram, The Retailerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431705150226677933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258529340016157236.post-90711661655796994642023-04-01T06:54:00.000+05:302023-04-01T06:54:41.303+05:30Goodbye Retail | Adios, amigos… <p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">After spending the last 26 years in retail, I have decided to hang up my boots for good. I have been preparing for this day for the past few months, as I set my feet in a new direction, adjusting the sails and the compass towards another exciting destination.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">As much as the destination is important, I have always believed that the journey is as important. So, I will continue to enjoy every moment in whatever I would be doing.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6CQAmFwWT81rcCo97QS0vAghRmzTkqj0t3jspwyx-FXjJNQkr7-rQE-CtT15iOLbcz1rY6N1xeLyzYUaYynw-PzuvGmcXl-fbltnixu1_HS4u_4Cu0EB4AsYEVOs6CP4rrsdL_N4Uwm307LysE-L03CTj-TtOyYnxMohcJTPZmT6ev_Q_Zi3yvoz/s4032/78E1CADB-A3FB-4ADF-9505-9ECDF2D69875.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6CQAmFwWT81rcCo97QS0vAghRmzTkqj0t3jspwyx-FXjJNQkr7-rQE-CtT15iOLbcz1rY6N1xeLyzYUaYynw-PzuvGmcXl-fbltnixu1_HS4u_4Cu0EB4AsYEVOs6CP4rrsdL_N4Uwm307LysE-L03CTj-TtOyYnxMohcJTPZmT6ev_Q_Zi3yvoz/w300-h400/78E1CADB-A3FB-4ADF-9505-9ECDF2D69875.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">My most recent stint with Indian Terrain Fashions went awry for reasons beyond my control. Not only did it leave a sour taste for me professionally but also things took an unfortunate turn, sadly. This, despite me putting in my best efforts for the 8 months that I was actively involved in the company, having visited over 96 stores across India (of the 210) and making a huge difference in several aspects of the business including sales, marketing, merchandising, etc. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Nevertheless, life moves on.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">My career in retail began in 1997, when I joined Baskin Robbins in Chennai as a part-time employee, working 11am – 3pm scooping ice-cream. I would attend NIIT to learn computer languages from 7am – 9am and study B. Com at Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College from 4pm – 8pm. Between consumers, computers and commerce, I decided to choose “consumers” and pursued MBA. Armed with a campus placement with the RPG Group, I worked with formats like Foodworld and Musicworld, where I learned the basics of retail management. Two extreme concepts, yet the fundamentals were laid well. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsTNY9GvyynTUAuat76ByM1-0n3M7dXPQ9tLCI3UZ1U3DM6IICXQ1d0xH4PcbLD-4sgyeDF493lga5OPlYMoGwD1D2ZRrPsB4kleWSAu0t4PfrAIahgS9StholveOIYlRMd1nvSjpm4SoMYFGEs6dkrntzWiMY3l3cLCBlfsyQKcD_C3dbjMpZ1B8/s640/blogger-image-1157905641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsTNY9GvyynTUAuat76ByM1-0n3M7dXPQ9tLCI3UZ1U3DM6IICXQ1d0xH4PcbLD-4sgyeDF493lga5OPlYMoGwD1D2ZRrPsB4kleWSAu0t4PfrAIahgS9StholveOIYlRMd1nvSjpm4SoMYFGEs6dkrntzWiMY3l3cLCBlfsyQKcD_C3dbjMpZ1B8/w400-h268/blogger-image-1157905641.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">I moved to Bangalore with just four bags, three with clothes and one with music cassettes to join India’s first seamless mall, Central in 2004. I landed at the most prized possession of my professional work in 2006, to join India’s first private, greenfield airport at Bangalore. Over the next 4 years, I would travel across the top 10 airports worldwide, learn about Travel Retail and speak at global conferences about the opportunity that is Indian aviation (circa 2008).I was responsible for conceptualising, designing and setting up India’s first ever Travel Retail areas at Bangalore International Airport. The Indian Travel Retail industry, including domestic retail, F&B and duty free is now estimated to be around Rs. 4,000 cr in annual revenues. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Then came the next illustrious phase of my life – setting up 140 cafes all India for Café Coffee Day; within department stores, book stores, colleges and university campuses; hospitals and medical centres; inside the MA Chidambaram cricket stadium and Eden Garden as partner with Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders, respectively. People still say they have saved my number as “CCD Shriram”. Such a humbling feeling to hear that.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_YgIoH9WgiW-qksRFaMFwzTSOg23Q68UXRJoUBl8-bLhY0S1K7b1fCBMVvJFCuP3EymEaBbKAZplcd_3vPYMal52ueaDXrGiW_KtoCT-jCUmR5lWnefRScZ_GFQ4j-vLh8c0sVXY-sprX5OXr8WgmXBnuxhDrAh5e384GcPl3srn65744visG0T9/s4320/DSC00081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_YgIoH9WgiW-qksRFaMFwzTSOg23Q68UXRJoUBl8-bLhY0S1K7b1fCBMVvJFCuP3EymEaBbKAZplcd_3vPYMal52ueaDXrGiW_KtoCT-jCUmR5lWnefRScZ_GFQ4j-vLh8c0sVXY-sprX5OXr8WgmXBnuxhDrAh5e384GcPl3srn65744visG0T9/w400-h300/DSC00081.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">In 2012, I came back to my hometown which was now Chennai; joined Royal Enfield during its growth phase and set-up 160 dealerships all India. I also worked closely with the leadership team on the new retail identity of dealerships, morphing them from looking like an automobile store to a lifestyle concept. Bowed out of professional life in 2014 to experiment entrepreneurship – the accidental entrepreneur! Ran a flourishing Management Consulting business as well, working closely with Founders and businesspersons of eminence.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Worked on creating a chain of baby care retail stores; set-up perhaps one of India’s earliest quick commerce concept – Oyethere, delivering grocery and household items within 30-300 mins of ordering. Baba Ramdev was our unofficial brand ambassador. We rode on the popularity of Patanjali back then, whose products were elusive to find. Expert Investors laughed at my idea and said why would anyone pay Rs. 30 for home delivery. I gave up after 117 pitches probably, accepting the fact that the timing was not the best one. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsLchozCn1BwCNGucMwFAMMFhAviyOehP3lAusRkmfyNRMP9r6sahziTmFpWpVlGlQgUsNLE3FeI1HyE1eDC9RwCskItRywfYFhkM40sJoBwHJNE-7DqMDBL9J211pPP3Qxl5ZQR8sBuEPYZVYsRhl8IZS90oycNC5tfcxtCNUjx-FAgpotG1ybko/s1280/A1025E77-1574-47CE-8206-12AE2A00816A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="905" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsLchozCn1BwCNGucMwFAMMFhAviyOehP3lAusRkmfyNRMP9r6sahziTmFpWpVlGlQgUsNLE3FeI1HyE1eDC9RwCskItRywfYFhkM40sJoBwHJNE-7DqMDBL9J211pPP3Qxl5ZQR8sBuEPYZVYsRhl8IZS90oycNC5tfcxtCNUjx-FAgpotG1ybko/w283-h400/A1025E77-1574-47CE-8206-12AE2A00816A.jpeg" width="283" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">When I joined Levista coffee in 2020, little would I know that Covid-19 led pandemic would strike India and rest of the world. Despite Covid, or due to it, my team and I doubled Levista’s business in 350 days from 16 Apr. ’20 to 31 Mar. 21. India faced a nation-wide lockdown for the first fortnight that April. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Partnered with Chennai Super Kings as the Official Coffee Partner for 2020 - the first ever coffee brand for CSK as well as with any other team in the illustrious history of Indian Premier League Cricket tournament. Also, signed up with Star Vijay’s Bigg Boss franchise feat. Actor Kamal Hassan only to see the brand stand tall and proud next to the actor on Tv, every weekend. Was a life worth having survived the pandemic, in many ways so I could accomplish all this. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGiK6T95VpxMwHqOqR3wC-YuKGyzYKjzxlxkMEOWkoy_qwyIKE4YHCOXAQPUk8uKZo1ACZtMnHkkslROv3OniW5dck9RQTt5W-HU4SX0H03e56z0saX_9Qubg9CoxjeKXEm6DqT4-qJNIZzvzppakJz8mzhz6de9nO4k1rTzp70I3KSRuDwNDwm6xO/s4032/7F3322C7-58B6-431E-A17E-8F8AA3A554F6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGiK6T95VpxMwHqOqR3wC-YuKGyzYKjzxlxkMEOWkoy_qwyIKE4YHCOXAQPUk8uKZo1ACZtMnHkkslROv3OniW5dck9RQTt5W-HU4SX0H03e56z0saX_9Qubg9CoxjeKXEm6DqT4-qJNIZzvzppakJz8mzhz6de9nO4k1rTzp70I3KSRuDwNDwm6xO/w400-h300/7F3322C7-58B6-431E-A17E-8F8AA3A554F6.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p>My life store as a book - “My Retail Journey - Part 1” will be released in 2023. Fingers crossed.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Now, that you have finished reading my mini life-bio above, sorry that the news of me quitting retail was a prank for April Fools Day. I am what I am because of Retail. I have nowhere else to go other than this industry which has nurtured me for more than half my life.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHPSSBcIu7mSTY6aapcZoB_1TPAeyvzZbpkqNSqgzS0VOabIWWFTbFfbNjM-7DkPem8D_zMHJ9BuSOQZNRZe3bFcLZceQy1ZlhqNTu2JwOCEyKtR1ZkABOG1Tz-eO7OT5M3K0tMAC3mlo9xzlBHu0kC3pO7D8lajxc4qTU0_Z9p04X6_Dz6-6h5VR/s4032/39DA6880-6E89-4E9F-AD41-3FEA8283E149.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHPSSBcIu7mSTY6aapcZoB_1TPAeyvzZbpkqNSqgzS0VOabIWWFTbFfbNjM-7DkPem8D_zMHJ9BuSOQZNRZe3bFcLZceQy1ZlhqNTu2JwOCEyKtR1ZkABOG1Tz-eO7OT5M3K0tMAC3mlo9xzlBHu0kC3pO7D8lajxc4qTU0_Z9p04X6_Dz6-6h5VR/w400-h300/39DA6880-6E89-4E9F-AD41-3FEA8283E149.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Thank you my retail fraternity, friends and former colleagues for all the support give to me all along. With four national level awards from the Retail and F&B Industry, 17 years as Visiting Faculty at preeminent B-Schools on Retail, as author of over 1,000+ articles, I still have a few years ahead of me and I remain obligated to many of you to make me who I am today.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Have a great day ahead.</p>Shriram, The Retailerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431705150226677933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258529340016157236.post-23311509889517615402023-03-24T19:50:00.001+05:302023-03-24T19:50:28.245+05:30Three years after the first Lockdown! <p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">On this day, 24</span><sup style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">March 2020, India experienced its first ever full lockdown for 21 days. The entire country came to a halt; abrupt standstill of commercial and economic activities. The State & Central Governments imposed an extremely strict gag order that citizens were not allowed to even step out of home, save for buying medicines along with a proof of the most recent prescription from a certified Doctor. Each one of us in the country had a different story to narrate – some faced extreme medical challenges while many had other stories, such as loss of livelihood and uncertainty of the next meal, especially for the poor, the marginalised and physically challenged at that.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-u24S5Ly2saWh8pE9kSmIckErKzUFIy3HnUz5H4wVkxytzGxJIneiJGer7MuyaivM1pYLI_R8wWLJba5FTZSQbOZZrEunv7A8vFcl2JKTo7iFFKAIJKDUOtquBBrbufGYwgXAELHFlc_nsfn7jvwFAQ9OPeWcb4ghbLAbbQe660iXUqVA5p_wCfm/s900/IMG_0996.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-u24S5Ly2saWh8pE9kSmIckErKzUFIy3HnUz5H4wVkxytzGxJIneiJGer7MuyaivM1pYLI_R8wWLJba5FTZSQbOZZrEunv7A8vFcl2JKTo7iFFKAIJKDUOtquBBrbufGYwgXAELHFlc_nsfn7jvwFAQ9OPeWcb4ghbLAbbQe660iXUqVA5p_wCfm/w400-h266/IMG_0996.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">All forms of transportation came to a halt; flights, trains, buses and local transportation such as taxis and auto rickshaws. The retail segment was among the most impacted. It was a double whammy of sorts – those who worked in all other industries eventually spent their monies on Food, Clothing & Shelter. On the one side, shutting down the shops meant loss of business for the day; on the other hand, those who would spend at retail stores were themselves staring at a bleak present and immediate future, for many employers were not sure / clear how to pay for unproductive employees when there was no business at all.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">From the smallest kirana to large retail companies, it was VUCA in full flow – Vulnerability, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity. None of us knew what would happen next. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Slowly but surely, things started opening up from June onwards only to once again relapse shortly thereafter. This roller-coaster ride continued until May 2021, when a partial and a complete lockdown was brought back in several states. The festive season in 2020 and 2021 were muted, for, the majority of the retail sector and thousands of retailers were staring at several crores of rupees worth of stocks; unable to liquidate them to pay suppliers, in effect unable to buy new and more relevant stocks as required. Hard times, those were.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">By October 2021, there was some semblance of orderliness that was back. People started to step out of their homes risking the dreaded spread of the infection. By then, most of the countrymen and women had taken atleast 1 dose of the vaccine and were now armed with the strength to face any eventualities. Whether the vaccine worked to its full or not – many had tested positive despite taking the shot – people had gained the strength to fight it. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqkHCnbNGL1kcbe0l1dehHBvkwJKS4bGqZzvJCRnFAOSZn1uBH0w2Oix5jAynMJTpz-r6FKs5i4q7DUnczmIsuNpnQZS54kJfL7bWbkiRrvoFKLhdTQHm7NolBwXjP71l_iB1aSqeoEzvtGgRDCFb2EVmHR9UXdI08v6Gb8tQhI4Zvcux3WjUJf8P/s1280/6c008be0-a0f3-4456-82bf-d1ba7af399d3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="905" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqkHCnbNGL1kcbe0l1dehHBvkwJKS4bGqZzvJCRnFAOSZn1uBH0w2Oix5jAynMJTpz-r6FKs5i4q7DUnczmIsuNpnQZS54kJfL7bWbkiRrvoFKLhdTQHm7NolBwXjP71l_iB1aSqeoEzvtGgRDCFb2EVmHR9UXdI08v6Gb8tQhI4Zvcux3WjUJf8P/w283-h400/6c008be0-a0f3-4456-82bf-d1ba7af399d3.jpeg" width="283" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Three years later, as I write this note, I carry immense gratitude to the Almighty, my family, friends, former employers and colleagues, all of whom stood shoulder to shoulder with each other and overcame several obstacles. Though I too, like millions faced setbacks in the workplace, I am glad that it was this bleak period during which I could shine professionally with a few big ticket accolades to my credit. Signing up with Chennai Super Kings as beverage partner for Levista Coffee will be one of my most cherished moments along with placing the brand alongside Kamal Hassan in Big Boss Tamil. Working closely with Ad-film Directors, I co-scripted and oversaw a dozen films for Levista & Specsmakers during this time.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgYyHbszlUr3h_S6ZOQoBBLlAWpbWcCYuiYU76GUQwmzqar7nDbqv9ayXwy4KVv3U2bindCCmn3qw3ZGXYU5NfYsD6A5IF_zanYD5Od6XnG8FoGBRVNHLoCLkpQi7gXw8nGt8i031yi5A82ewrm7CS8_c9dP4L-llogmlR2NPHtVibYA6H8Uj0CQx/s4032/IMG_3527.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgYyHbszlUr3h_S6ZOQoBBLlAWpbWcCYuiYU76GUQwmzqar7nDbqv9ayXwy4KVv3U2bindCCmn3qw3ZGXYU5NfYsD6A5IF_zanYD5Od6XnG8FoGBRVNHLoCLkpQi7gXw8nGt8i031yi5A82ewrm7CS8_c9dP4L-llogmlR2NPHtVibYA6H8Uj0CQx/w400-h300/IMG_3527.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Joining Indian Terrain was a calculated move, but went awry due to various reasons. Some wrong calculations, despite various measures taken before and during my stint; so be it. Life moves on and keeps teaching us every other day! When we succeed, we learn; but when we fail, we learn a lot more. Wisdom is not repeating mistakes and I hope to gain from some of the key learnings I have taken during this three year period. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Over the past 15 months, the Indian economy has shown much resilience. Retail Industry is back to its charm pre-pandemic, though there are a number of challenges ahead of us; inflation is pinching the middle class; over all cost of household has drastically increased, including fuel, power, road tolls, etc.; loan books by banks are seeing a huge surge, a sign of good times but fraught with higher risks as well. Nevertheless, I believe Indians are more hopeful now than ever before. And that matters.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">PS: By the way, I am glad, that this happens to be my 300th blog article. No, it wasn't planned at all... </p>Shriram, The Retailerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431705150226677933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258529340016157236.post-63248418456024049142023-02-20T22:40:00.002+05:302023-02-20T22:40:23.499+05:30The hype around Air India’s big buy<p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Much is being spoken, written and debated about the recent purchase of 470 aircrafts by Air India from Airbus and Boeing. So much so, that the US President made an official statement that this could create a million jobs for his countrymen. Many politicians thanked the Indian Prime Minister while so many questioned his role in this private affair between a buyer and a seller – why and how would the Governments on both sides have any role. Leaving all the controversies (if one exists!) aside, let us see the opportunity that we are sitting on.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">In the past 8 years or so, the present Government has reactivated over 70 airports. These are not new ones really, for they already existed. Barely. These were airstrips with an ATC Tower at best built before WW 2 by the British. The Union Government through its ambitious project to make the common man fly – Ude Desh ka Aam Nagarik (UDAN) was activated and many unused airports were operationalised. It is another thing altogether that our railway networks are choked and a small section of travellers do not mind paying a premium for air travel.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVPYZ6KGczjlwRAr1i2nvtVDTd6tQtjEPpNi9y3DBiPRSLsBAXbNT6oiksD6Pmh258m3is0ccQk3OQ01U1JqQBy8aaoT9kyosTp06xyyZOAocYoqejypKg_fV8c8hYgHICZO2VmBX6kfen8s47TgcaHKf4VHGkM8Apys-jEYNlQiYuLSxD8pxEUIC/s4032/IMG_1450.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVPYZ6KGczjlwRAr1i2nvtVDTd6tQtjEPpNi9y3DBiPRSLsBAXbNT6oiksD6Pmh258m3is0ccQk3OQ01U1JqQBy8aaoT9kyosTp06xyyZOAocYoqejypKg_fV8c8hYgHICZO2VmBX6kfen8s47TgcaHKf4VHGkM8Apys-jEYNlQiYuLSxD8pxEUIC/w400-h300/IMG_1450.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the Udaipur Airport developed under UDAN</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Altogether, the number of air passengers have grown from 37 mn pa in 2010 to 167 mn in 2019 (sans 4 days of the first lockdown!). The number halved for FY 2021, grew to 123 mn in 2022 and would be around 130 mn in the current FY. By 2027, we expect over 200 mn passengers to hit the sky in a year. To give it a perspective, over 2.2 mn (2 Crores) people took train journeys daily in 2019 of which an estimated 8% of them travel in airconditioned classes.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">What excites me, as a (Travel) Retail Professional are the possibilities for retail at airports. To accommodate these new 470 aircrafts plus another equal number from all other incumbent airlines at the moment in India, we are expecting a blast in the skies. Don’t worry, it wouldn’t be so choked like our railway networks where one express train has to stop at times to let the other one travel. But the congestion at airports (runways) would be inevitable. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGZUNic7F8ar_AguUgFKBvb8MrO4T2Q-3eOXLhDd1Ti6AzdI3KE9G2i8AXGLAbTazARpUN2vy7ZEVs7H5Eb4dbab4_HYYl2amsapr9tGnMGDuNTy67zi-7-jvGsJtG665o84D-IohSVAyC7wZt96B6owceuQeyWeKu2iuXyzo5JJjXw9GWGswWTWH/s4032/IMG_0459.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGZUNic7F8ar_AguUgFKBvb8MrO4T2Q-3eOXLhDd1Ti6AzdI3KE9G2i8AXGLAbTazARpUN2vy7ZEVs7H5Eb4dbab4_HYYl2amsapr9tGnMGDuNTy67zi-7-jvGsJtG665o84D-IohSVAyC7wZt96B6owceuQeyWeKu2iuXyzo5JJjXw9GWGswWTWH/w400-h300/IMG_0459.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IGI Airport, New Delhi</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">The new Terminal 3 built at New Delhi Airport a decade back is already choking during peak hours. Mumbai is building another new airport and the same is the case at Noida. Bangalore has commenced a new parallel runway last year and a brand new terminal T2 which will be fully activated by Q3 FY 2024. Goa has a brand new airport in the north while there is no confirmation of shutting down the existing one in the south of Panjim. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Keeping aside the top 20 airports – 2 super metros, 4 metros and the top 16 cities in India – there would be 175+ operational Airports across the country by 2025. The bare minimum would be a daily passenger count of 1,000 pax/day while the maximum would be 30,000. The top 6 airports, by then would be handline 30,000 – 60,000 passengers per day! <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">At the moment, the spend per passenger in Indian airports is abysmally low. Singapore’s Changi Airport recently announced their CY 2022 revenues from Travel Retail – USD 870 mn. That would be 38% of 2019 revenues, which means in 2019, it would have been USD 2.2 Bn pa. Dubai’s retail and F&B revenues pre-pandemic were a little over USD 2 Bn pa; Hong Kong, Paris CDG, Frankfurt and Zurich Airport, each had Travel Retail Revenues between USD 600 mn to USD 1 Bn pa. All this crashed due to Covid-19 but is slowly bouncing back.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9HysIHmdgZNGY3ajU22aNlvD49pgO-SLCDMJwAkIIqX6Y9nXd1_44syU3HLUrXa6jJHCVqru1CbWGXPhGFOMnjrHkkwunb3qc0yygVMMLUIesZvoEhvUTDM30sRKU_k8IDtFK06r78vj30zBZ1CkFauSDeocFit2S895e20e9Ll-lHWLwxGwpP3L/s4032/IMG_0711.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9HysIHmdgZNGY3ajU22aNlvD49pgO-SLCDMJwAkIIqX6Y9nXd1_44syU3HLUrXa6jJHCVqru1CbWGXPhGFOMnjrHkkwunb3qc0yygVMMLUIesZvoEhvUTDM30sRKU_k8IDtFK06r78vj30zBZ1CkFauSDeocFit2S895e20e9Ll-lHWLwxGwpP3L/w400-h300/IMG_0711.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Integrated Terminal Building coming up at Chennai Airport</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">In India, Travel Retail has been a non-starter except at the top airports, especially those which were privatised. AAI continues to operate quite differently, in a manner that is neither exciting nor enticing for retailers to embrace the opportunity. However, change is inevitable and we see a huge improvement coming our way. By 2025, over 5 lakh people would be travelling through our Airports every day. Imagine the</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"> potential retail opportunity that we are eyeing. And these are reasonably affluent passengers with disposable incomes. From a humble cup of tea or coffee to a beer / gourmet meal, F&B seems to be a larger pie than product retail at airports. I had written the reason for this </span><a href="https://www.moodiedavittreport.com/the-shriram-sanjeevi-column-why-fb-outlets-dominate-the-indian-airport-retail-scene/" style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;" target="_blank">in my previous post</a><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">. </span></p><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Nevertheless, Air India’s purchase of 470 aircrafts is a boon for Indian Travel Retail. Happy to be back here in my new avatar in Travel Retail supporting the T</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">rinity - Airports, Retail / F&B companies and the Consumers.</span></div>Shriram, The Retailerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431705150226677933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258529340016157236.post-7715716538131262752023-01-29T17:18:00.001+05:302023-01-29T17:18:06.070+05:30The Popcorn Conundrum<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Just realised that I have seen 3 movies over the last 3 weeks at theatres. Two were in top class cinema halls in a Tier 2 town and another was a Tier 2 theatre in Chennai. Meanwhile, I have also seen twice as many movies on OTT platforms during the same period. The reason to watch movies at theatres, for most of us Indians, is that it is a cherished family outing as well as to see our favourite matinee idols on the big screen on the opening week / weekend.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">As the movies that I watched were all of top heroes, the theatres had a full audience. Except that during the interval break, not even a third of them came to the F&B area to buy anything.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUo-p8hoNGMZa-WI-p4V3p_tDBlJeGSojyHGN1444K8NlUPm0NFKpv46W4TMToUp3BGA48xv5eKOA6_lzgIxFa-dz5CJC2r4RirGaujSgxrVugjx4moY4eLKlLd8sIiMlfhSp0fUacutI8h6GMoHzbalfv1g-KgWlPrAioyD5-NvVHxCFn0Ha_6MDP/s4032/9357DE8E-C06B-4CC1-B19F-1DB8C614A9AC.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUo-p8hoNGMZa-WI-p4V3p_tDBlJeGSojyHGN1444K8NlUPm0NFKpv46W4TMToUp3BGA48xv5eKOA6_lzgIxFa-dz5CJC2r4RirGaujSgxrVugjx4moY4eLKlLd8sIiMlfhSp0fUacutI8h6GMoHzbalfv1g-KgWlPrAioyD5-NvVHxCFn0Ha_6MDP/w300-h400/9357DE8E-C06B-4CC1-B19F-1DB8C614A9AC.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India passed an judgement on 3 Jan. ’23 that Multiplexes & Cinema Theatre Owners had the right to not allow outside food (and beverages) inside the screening areas and that the cinema goers had a choice whether to go or not, and cannot therefore demand to take their own food inside the theatres like how it was 2 decades back. From biryanis to biscuits, fruits to homemade snacks like channa dal & groundnuts, ardent cinema goers carried their own food inside the theatres. Once the show was over, it was a nightmare for the theatre owner to get the auditorium cleaned up before the next show began. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Enter mid-2000s – the onset of posh Multiplexes across India led by PVR Cinemas and INOX as well as modernisation of screens by standalone theatre owners across India. Around the year 2,000, there were 18,000 screens in India when the country produced over 1,000+ movies pa across 15 languages including foreign-language dubbed movies. By 2019, there were a mere 11,000 screens in India, of which the Multiplex chains had a share of over 2,500. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Cut to Dec. 2022, there are a mere 8,500 screens of which almost 3,000 are in Multiplexes. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">In 2019, India produced 2,000 movies, running an annual business of over Rs. 30,000 Cr. Hindi language films accounted for almost 45% while Tamil and Telugu languages made about 300 movies each annually. Post-pandemic, film watching trends have changed tremendously across the world and India is no different. Acc to Q3 FY 22-23 <a href="https://retailupdates.news/2023/01/20/pvr-cinemas-admits-reduce-in-q3-compared-with-2019/" target="_blank">Financials of PVR Cinemas</a>, the occupancy rate has diminished to 29% compared to 36% in the same period in 2019. Tickets prices have gone up 18% - perhaps keeping inflation in mind. But that’s not the real reason why admissions dropped by a whopping 20% during the said Quarter. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">The reason is the price of Popcorn at theatres! Yes.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">For most Indians, watching a movie is a family outing. People plan in advance, get dressed to look their best and travel with glee to watch a movie. Assuming the avg. ticket price pan-India (except Bombay, Delhi and Bangalore) is around Rs. 200 for a decent theatre, the cost per family of 4 is Rs. 800. Add parking charges for 2W/4W and a meal before or after. That would work out to Rs. 1,500- Rs. 2,000 already. Now, if the popcorn at the theatre is going to cost Rs. 100/- per person (usually these are family packs & combos of Rs. 250 and above!), add a beverage or 2 and some more snacks, the food bill is already as much as the movie ticket cost if not more. Most Indians, who were avoiding this madness before the pandemic have completely moved off watching movies in the big screens since 2022 onwards. The numbers speak. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFGaFODUyFI792cUA7A9B41ZwfCUlo4xu3Fcu2RJ79jsfJ3TnSSpbA9sKfPUbxJCln-2GsZc3eEyOBJ-I19qSMwAXQXrw9R0rynXIAZsz14UL5Rir_IKI-v9xgICH73sBPhmPRixmiMmpaxM-csx-VxQDi5qUKklsHpyfHdIUGEkhfXL3jUEmo2g7/s4032/D6FF0B25-2861-4EBE-959D-7589378807EA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFGaFODUyFI792cUA7A9B41ZwfCUlo4xu3Fcu2RJ79jsfJ3TnSSpbA9sKfPUbxJCln-2GsZc3eEyOBJ-I19qSMwAXQXrw9R0rynXIAZsz14UL5Rir_IKI-v9xgICH73sBPhmPRixmiMmpaxM-csx-VxQDi5qUKklsHpyfHdIUGEkhfXL3jUEmo2g7/w400-h300/D6FF0B25-2861-4EBE-959D-7589378807EA.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">So why do theatres charge so much for Popcorn and food? Coz, they can never make money & be profitable with such ticket prices, especially if the occupancy rates are so low! <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Ok, <a href="https://www.cinemakaramkapi.com/2023/01/pathaan-movie-review.html" target="_blank">Shah Rukh’s Pathaan</a> (2023) has already crossed Rs. 200 Cr in BO collections (in 5 days) worldwide as I write this; So have 1 or 2 movies each across regional languages, but these are exceptions. Most films of 2022 bombed at the BO. The ones that made headlines were non-Hindi language movies and were (dubbed) releases. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">A theatre needs sustained footfall through the year. 30-40% occupancy during the weekdays and 70% or above over weekends is a theatre owner’s delight. It used to happen until 2015-16. Until Popcorn prices went up! </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Fizzy Coke and Pepsi (with 90% gas & water) and 10% essence have also gone rogue with their sizing & pricing. No one in India wants to drink so much of sugary liquids anyway and in such short duration. To get back audiences to the plexes, we need decent content (of movies). And cheaper F&B, perhaps. One way is to subsidise the food offering; another way is to use them as a bait to get more audience. Afterall, subsidising is a national mantra in India. Sigh. </p>Shriram, The Retailerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431705150226677933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258529340016157236.post-25900935702984422892022-12-31T22:55:00.004+05:302022-12-31T22:55:56.381+05:30Good Bye 2022, Hello ‘23<p> </p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Here’s wishing you all a Happy Calendar Year 2023. May this new year bring a lot of happiness and cheer to everyone. On this day last year, I was working for Specsmakers, leading Sales & Marketing for the 10 year-old brand, the largest optical retail network in South India and the third largest in the country with 250+ stores back then. Around the same time, the scare for a third wave of the dreaded Covid-19 infection was all over the place. It had a new code-name: Omicron! Government of India as well as various State Governments advised several measures, including shutting down of retail stores, malls and commercial establishments over the weekends. Andhra Pradesh took no measure and maintained status quo; Tamil Nadu advised shutting down only on Sundays; Karnataka, however advised a closure for the entire weekend. Most Indians remained in a huge sense of anxiety over their careers, professions, businesses, kids’ education and so on. However, all these worries were put in the backburner as Omicron had limited or very marginal impact on most of us.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw24LQbasGyiWvv-rtX82_uyNZR5Hn0RwL1mgP-HLJe9YtrzVa54xfnslcFKM5lxokhgKhFqAPk7QX6M09DjCMzpZRsHVNfDdyniDH0BW2BB069hoaORdXF2R2Xk5PluIryAc3dbXjC62DwF5f22iAf-_maMrBoLjKIEKETVqKbtOI1lh_k6a0XKAn/s4032/IMG_0840.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw24LQbasGyiWvv-rtX82_uyNZR5Hn0RwL1mgP-HLJe9YtrzVa54xfnslcFKM5lxokhgKhFqAPk7QX6M09DjCMzpZRsHVNfDdyniDH0BW2BB069hoaORdXF2R2Xk5PluIryAc3dbXjC62DwF5f22iAf-_maMrBoLjKIEKETVqKbtOI1lh_k6a0XKAn/w400-h300/IMG_0840.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">This is when the government pushed us to take the second vaccine, which ensured a quick and safe turnaround for the ailing Retail sector, which had taken the worst beating for the previous 18 months, ever since the first lockdown began in Mar. ’20. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">My career too, zoomed along with the fledgling economy. I managed to get back to the apparel industry, jumping ship to Indian Terrain, a 2-decade old brand, most famous for its shirts, especially the Madras Checks. The company operates over 210+ stores across India and I was responsible for the entire retail business, managing a turnover upwards of Rs. 250 Cr pa. Sales, Marketing & Branding, Merchandising, New stores expansion, Project Management, Visual Merchandising and Staff training, all rolled into me. In a span of less than 6 months, I managed to visit 96 stores across India, from Guwahati to Ahmedabad, Chandigarh to Nagercoil and many in between. The month of September was among the busiest in my career, according to Google Trips, which maintains a record of where I went, what I did and so on. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Onam was the first big campaign that I undertook, visiting the state of Kerala 45 days before the festival and screening the markets. We sensed a huge opportunity with the return of NRI Malayalees to their home towns after a gap of 2 years, due to Covid-19 led travel restrictions. Interestingly and unfortunately, the sales uptick that was envisaged didn’t happen. One, there was a severe rain around the festival week; second and most importantly, sales (for most other brands as well) remained flat before and during the peak shopping weak. This was a learning of sorts. It is not necessary that Sales would surge only before the peak season, for the graph has been on the upward trend since Feb-Mar. ’22. We witnessed somewhat the same across North & West India, just around Diwali as well. No surprises here. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YMhqk32ButEm3cAihH5-0-vgHr-TbEal-bsYXp9o5Jt-rnpa-TOEQpuNS4RQWZ1pY2rFzuUa-3mHZwEe1g3Xd1JyU1e8hd-T7VAGZl7X2CWSwdKFsp1Lw2rTtQwHoOHYut-qMVZy1ZbKRLGlg43jAVJPspWbhjIRc4TxtJq64V9PfzAL7_Geo30P/s4032/IMG_4453.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YMhqk32ButEm3cAihH5-0-vgHr-TbEal-bsYXp9o5Jt-rnpa-TOEQpuNS4RQWZ1pY2rFzuUa-3mHZwEe1g3Xd1JyU1e8hd-T7VAGZl7X2CWSwdKFsp1Lw2rTtQwHoOHYut-qMVZy1ZbKRLGlg43jAVJPspWbhjIRc4TxtJq64V9PfzAL7_Geo30P/w400-h300/IMG_4453.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">However, sales for the entire retail industry surrounding fashion, apparel, accessories and lifestyle had reached pre-2019 levels or at par. On the contrary, many brands saw a volume decline (in Sales), but these were due to the making of the brands themselves. Wrong choice of (new) locations, unavailability of merchandise at the right moment and most importantly, staff demotivation due to reasons such as salaries remaining flat, lower than expected & delayed disbursement of incentives for the previous FY and overall lack of interest in the working environment are some of the key reasons why many brands faltered. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">I moved out from the company in November due to differences with the Management. No regrets though, every tenure and every day is a learning after all. Over the past 2 months, I have been introspecting on some of the measures I had taken (or rather not) which led to two quick exists in less than 2 financial years. I am hoping (and working towards) that 2023 and beyond is going to be a more stable period ahead. Everything is in my hands, of course! Happy New Year 2023 once again to everyone and may this year be joyful to all of us! Cheers. <o:p></o:p></p></div>Shriram, The Retailerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431705150226677933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258529340016157236.post-52855124698091673312022-12-12T20:28:00.000+05:302022-12-12T20:28:28.245+05:30RED letter day<p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">As the calendar year 2022 ends, I complete the distinction of my “silver Jubilee” year in Retail. I started my career scooping ice-cream in 1997 at India’s second and Chennai’s first outlet of <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Baskin Robbins. Last weekend when I walked passed by that location, I took a photo of that store where another respectable global brand exists now. But it may soon be gone as Chennai Metro Rail works are on nearby. The impact of such civil infrastructure on retailers is immense but that’s for another article, another day. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Just last week, I had shared a note on World Civil Aviation Day and the image I used for that tweet was that of Air India. Little did I realise that the first aero-trip I took was exactly 20 years ago and it was on an Air India flight too. And the best part was, that the trip was for an interview to Mumbai, with Shoppers Stop. I convinced the HR manager then to get me an air ticket instead of the standard rail fare, a rarity those days. I didn’t choose that position and life moved on. But then, when I look back, there has been so much that has been showered on my by this retail ecosystem for the past 2.5 decades. I cannot thank everyone who have been involved in “My Retail Journey” all these years to make me who I am today.</p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlRxH1zIzovqAmbys-pnO7AMe5Q7pPHWpOGiY0cJvlQ98z0uJzU86Uj2utigYzHRNccrXkfhymQ3ymf6_UOc8fO2zUR5E8q701losbLeffwvkTVub42bJ5-8ZXWHXAZx-FLoOqi8lcJvQMaU8PiNutugCZ0VR8gkvVarLHpTX0W25GXWpj6Q77xnX/s4032/A1D7AF4F-E46C-4AC8-95E4-079FF0326D4A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlRxH1zIzovqAmbys-pnO7AMe5Q7pPHWpOGiY0cJvlQ98z0uJzU86Uj2utigYzHRNccrXkfhymQ3ymf6_UOc8fO2zUR5E8q701losbLeffwvkTVub42bJ5-8ZXWHXAZx-FLoOqi8lcJvQMaU8PiNutugCZ0VR8gkvVarLHpTX0W25GXWpj6Q77xnX/w400-h300/A1D7AF4F-E46C-4AC8-95E4-079FF0326D4A.jpeg" title="With the store staff of Indian Terrain, Tuticorin" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">12.12 is a very important day of the year in the Indian Retail ecosystem even as most large retailers as well as small retail businesses including regional retail chains celebrate the day with much fanfare. Retail Employees Day was first celebrated a decade back and has since garnered momentum with most CXOs of large retail organisations pitching in with their support. On this day, employees are celebrated for their unstinted efforts, thanked with small and large goodies and gifts and most of all, made to feel special for the sometime-thankless efforts they offer to their customers and their ma<o:p></o:p>sters. In many cases, employees are recognised for their non-work related From back then when I stared my retail career to now, so much has changed in the way consumers shop. And the staff members of retail establishments across the pyramid have always kept themselves in tune with their customers.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Let me share an anecdote of how my first employer made me and my colleagues “feel good” everyday – at Baskin Robbins. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Though it was a neighbourhood ice-cream parlour, it was an American brand and certainly carried an “international tag” when compared to the domestic ones around. Therefore, the clientele was also more discerning and demanding. We were a team of 5 – 2 in the morning shift and 3 for the second shift. All of us were college students or had just finished. Given our age, our modest familial backgrounds and our tendency (perhaps) to have a bite of the beloved ice-creams, I guess he came up with an interesting idea. The Franchisee said that every day, each of us were allowed to sample one scoop of ice-cream on the house after making a note in the register. It was a learning exercise for us, so we know the taste of each of the flavours as well as to ensure we were not sampling it ourselves “off the book”. After a fortnight, we had tasted almost all the flavours amongst ourselves and requested if we could instead take the scoops home. He agreed but after a fortnight, even the folks at home were bored of eating them. <o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The franchisee had successfully accomplished two things – ensured the staff wouldn’t steal the ice-cream and instead, take it officially whenever they wished to. More than a view to police us, I saw it as a great way to keep the flock engaged. It was his way to thank us everyday for our wor</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> k, especially since it was the first self-service outlet where the customer was expected to remove their leftover cups and drop them off in the bin – much to their chagrin. So, when some of them sulked, we had to go the extra mile, but the Boss was already rewarding us. It was always a quid pro-quo, after all. There is an age old saying in retailing – take care of your employees and they will take care of the customers (and the business). Very few business owners are walking the talk. And it shows in the business outcomes, after all.</span></p></div>Shriram, The Retailerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431705150226677933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258529340016157236.post-81244294399543529782022-11-19T19:55:00.005+05:302022-12-09T08:41:52.677+05:30Vande Bharath - Train experience<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSenrzCfra5Siz63VLic82ag_MYLD5gycQ0IHOJyvC34JTGgJEIzSbho972ucXfiP6iicYmRhnLlw9UOWtDeR8jZ4Q6gsW4KgghnpoIPEnJ630moP_KMSXOHhFnii_laDco6ntKfUEDSbIzcv0iOfOkN1MqgARc5_nvATnf-CYtJkPeSe6ArhUrQt/s4032/B10635AE-06DB-41F9-A1C4-8515AB4C3795.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSenrzCfra5Siz63VLic82ag_MYLD5gycQ0IHOJyvC34JTGgJEIzSbho972ucXfiP6iicYmRhnLlw9UOWtDeR8jZ4Q6gsW4KgghnpoIPEnJ630moP_KMSXOHhFnii_laDco6ntKfUEDSbIzcv0iOfOkN1MqgARc5_nvATnf-CYtJkPeSe6ArhUrQt/w300-h400/B10635AE-06DB-41F9-A1C4-8515AB4C3795.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br />Travelled to Bangalore earlier this week. Having travelled innumerable times on Shatabdi earlier, the journey was more or less similar. The ceiling looks sleek and refreshing, so are the interiors. At the look of it, seems the makers have used high-quality materials which gives a (relatively) premium feel of travel.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAmlgOkzd-hVRxxrttvQ8o9ylwtUcyrAIY-FvXBxeRsaLtmhL7L1Ny6b4vl6v1XYsq_WS5Be0nF-hCi2Ii_VjHhSLNe4A0GHq-ZPoPQD4CrMnoSZT6iio8YURrF6vkNHUP6USNx4kucxJNjomQZ6yNrefg85_TEtxHe6W7aS4OfcIyHCOqVMBVIFu/s4032/956677B9-BAFC-4DFC-A0B5-8A42F85086F8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAmlgOkzd-hVRxxrttvQ8o9ylwtUcyrAIY-FvXBxeRsaLtmhL7L1Ny6b4vl6v1XYsq_WS5Be0nF-hCi2Ii_VjHhSLNe4A0GHq-ZPoPQD4CrMnoSZT6iio8YURrF6vkNHUP6USNx4kucxJNjomQZ6yNrefg85_TEtxHe6W7aS4OfcIyHCOqVMBVIFu/w300-h400/956677B9-BAFC-4DFC-A0B5-8A42F85086F8.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p>Because of it’s build quality, the ride quality was far superior. The usual jerk that we face in normal trains was missing in this one, especially while crossing tracks, picking up speed or slowing down, etc. In a crude language, the ride was as different as an automatic vs. manual gear shift in a Car. Food (and it’s quality) is almost the same as in Shatabdi. Except that morning b/f had a Kesari ( a typical south indian sweet). in the plate. The presentation in aluminium containers spoils the otherwise premium feel of the train, but I guess there are fewer options otherwise.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84-gve0MT-yLp1tprcn5W7k-uz2OtPppzQkreL__42Rj617ROoytS4ywl_1ZudxXINEwSNcTW1Dlrie1Wq5ENLmQ9BhzVdl09f2WSOcBvWMUHl7Sf4wGKhblVvZld6jybR6FsG4GF4048gaCr_rH3kLon5J8PFqt6r1pinpwc6I7Do13XULoRaIwk/s4032/68D57F99-9E75-4026-A26E-FC42DB45F368.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84-gve0MT-yLp1tprcn5W7k-uz2OtPppzQkreL__42Rj617ROoytS4ywl_1ZudxXINEwSNcTW1Dlrie1Wq5ENLmQ9BhzVdl09f2WSOcBvWMUHl7Sf4wGKhblVvZld6jybR6FsG4GF4048gaCr_rH3kLon5J8PFqt6r1pinpwc6I7Do13XULoRaIwk/w300-h400/68D57F99-9E75-4026-A26E-FC42DB45F368.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p>Assuming that these pax have the wherewithal to spend on discretionary spends, what if one can preorder food at an additional yet nominal cost? As a diabetic, I may want to skip the Kesari and order something else. A low-sugar tea pack instead of a normal one. This could be done while booking the tickets, or a reminder SMS could be sent 48 hours before the date of travel. Of course, various other products like mobile Chargers, earphones, etc. could be sold inside the train through a catalogue, with an e-brochure being sent along with the ticket by email.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_HY_V7bGjKm27Bxy-dehYtrxqCYcTVO3emluPiZ6XBS8IIURxD7ZEKIbL1ONpa4lNx97AiBwvQNVolXCDImEv_KMGYTXfgrs_76ssMk5bmpLLGhCtJJeXcOeFR1fstLI9YyMGufPcSMsTTepeLRxCcLQwt7CKjM3BPuJO7uj1HGN1e1qMmotEOnH/s4032/E98102F4-CB4D-48E2-B36A-A6668950D940.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_HY_V7bGjKm27Bxy-dehYtrxqCYcTVO3emluPiZ6XBS8IIURxD7ZEKIbL1ONpa4lNx97AiBwvQNVolXCDImEv_KMGYTXfgrs_76ssMk5bmpLLGhCtJJeXcOeFR1fstLI9YyMGufPcSMsTTepeLRxCcLQwt7CKjM3BPuJO7uj1HGN1e1qMmotEOnH/w300-h400/E98102F4-CB4D-48E2-B36A-A6668950D940.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p>The seats are quite thinner (like in an Indigo flight) yet comfortable. What was very un-Indian was the water bottle holder was placed near the footrest. In Shatabdi trains, it is placed near the food train which is indeed cumbersome But to place it near the feet - poor design.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7__z5SoBhHKWCpKfWV0FHn_c-cshP_EJRe7DTy7UacWekEqnkZKYI4IixmQYMrw2UHC13e7HlD_J04FrehVbWmypVq4nWzorw1hVRhp2qhZyLvqR9lfvNgdQ7Lyqa4m5YnyKXhkRd3b69I5exy9hWDlXpvby6mRNrAyodxgHfIotfiXwCch9QbgB/s4032/9FC40727-44F0-47BB-BD92-FA45B8AEC1C1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7__z5SoBhHKWCpKfWV0FHn_c-cshP_EJRe7DTy7UacWekEqnkZKYI4IixmQYMrw2UHC13e7HlD_J04FrehVbWmypVq4nWzorw1hVRhp2qhZyLvqR9lfvNgdQ7Lyqa4m5YnyKXhkRd3b69I5exy9hWDlXpvby6mRNrAyodxgHfIotfiXwCch9QbgB/w320-h240/9FC40727-44F0-47BB-BD92-FA45B8AEC1C1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The plugs for charging devices are now placed in each seat unlike one per row in Shatabdi. Except that is is located right below the seat! I mean, who even designs all this? For older people, especially senior citizens, this is going to be super difficult. Of course, the design team has made up for this with a slick tray for keeping a laptop, table or even a mobile phone for viewing / watching media. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7iolbFahErCYrgVednz-Lq7Xl07ZyBlm_0HnuKiePd8oYmC4R5HlhS75bDftGzbBThMVceZYHiGyRYSH0dN1MTuIPXkwBHjO9hiOubVZMQRzDGJA8UGf8qC-1-nUabfCnhFVFCg9gnKIC7HdsaRBlXvES_yu-_VFEAXVMXnl9xj48Vrgy7R7R8XNe/s4032/D6181937-5509-468E-B911-1BC891D55740.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7iolbFahErCYrgVednz-Lq7Xl07ZyBlm_0HnuKiePd8oYmC4R5HlhS75bDftGzbBThMVceZYHiGyRYSH0dN1MTuIPXkwBHjO9hiOubVZMQRzDGJA8UGf8qC-1-nUabfCnhFVFCg9gnKIC7HdsaRBlXvES_yu-_VFEAXVMXnl9xj48Vrgy7R7R8XNe/w300-h400/D6181937-5509-468E-B911-1BC891D55740.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p>The train’s speed and other details are displayed on a digital screen. At many times during the trip, the train’s speed crossed 100 kmph. I am sure, that over time this will improve drastically, making the “Vande Bharath” a super fast and safe train to travel. The rest room has been designed well and looks classy, similar to an airplane. There is a handrail for passengers to hold, while seated or standing (as the case may be) and the entire cabin is more spacious than ever.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimp658HVlnuRUkw4E46rTpWItwW9HXZ0DSD1MBDP9NBsrWiuSkyER9JX0uWfdErsQtsirCPNHmGcBm73vWwqdl1xsByk_oGrFgB3YjP3KI1yjIVxqFe6eWkH1t1TMj04PpJ729cUZAmwFquc0pZRr1MMiXGHzjdEYV8EAkpzuW8QBFNx-pn9YFLM5i/s4032/36AE9BFF-01B5-4187-B612-8A56913CD9AE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimp658HVlnuRUkw4E46rTpWItwW9HXZ0DSD1MBDP9NBsrWiuSkyER9JX0uWfdErsQtsirCPNHmGcBm73vWwqdl1xsByk_oGrFgB3YjP3KI1yjIVxqFe6eWkH1t1TMj04PpJ729cUZAmwFquc0pZRr1MMiXGHzjdEYV8EAkpzuW8QBFNx-pn9YFLM5i/s320/36AE9BFF-01B5-4187-B612-8A56913CD9AE.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The automatic doors which are within the coach are now for ingress and egress to the main coach. Quite an international feel (though Metro rails already have it). I hope they integrate the doors with a QR code, so one can scan the same with their Aadhar biometrics and enter. We can get rid of the role of a TTE. Though humans will find ways to fool the system, I am sure this is just a matter of time.</p><p>To punish the haters, there is a video of the train’s inauguration done by Hon’ble Prime Minister at Bangalore on 11 Nov. ‘22, which runs in loop. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmrxmC-PlvWy4QyPW_5LE2VXAEdua1m-sOPq1QRGmHCymsBBxf8rGG_H05UlKs5DhMpqID52Mi3wv2runoCNm2kFEq0z-u7saG9Ip9wC7d_Qd1gxUruSEN-RQnkfWTtJ5-5kYGz80xufUXUNXL03ExX8zs-sWGJksxl39b4374hxhXAI0FeCa9bxy/s4032/917C235A-3204-48D5-9A72-BC4A77669C0F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmrxmC-PlvWy4QyPW_5LE2VXAEdua1m-sOPq1QRGmHCymsBBxf8rGG_H05UlKs5DhMpqID52Mi3wv2runoCNm2kFEq0z-u7saG9Ip9wC7d_Qd1gxUruSEN-RQnkfWTtJ5-5kYGz80xufUXUNXL03ExX8zs-sWGJksxl39b4374hxhXAI0FeCa9bxy/s320/917C235A-3204-48D5-9A72-BC4A77669C0F.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The only negative - if at all, is that the train departs and reaches almost at the same time as the Shatabdi Express. Not sure if they would curtail any of them in the near term or would retain both. Also, to reach the station earlier than the Shatabdi - Vande Bharath departs at 5.50am from Chennai and the Shatabdi at 6am is a pain, especially to get a taxi / public transportation. This could be well overcome by aligning the Metro Rail which comes to the Chennai Central Railway Station.</p><p>Overall, very well done ICF and Indian Railways.</p><p>Vande Bharath.</p><p>Vande Maatharam.</p><p>Jai Hind. </p>Shriram, The Retailerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431705150226677933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258529340016157236.post-21986584133141405932022-08-02T22:59:00.002+05:302022-08-02T22:59:30.084+05:30 10 years in Madras - A recap<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">It was on this day 10 years back I returned to Madras (by then it was renamed Chennai) - where I have grown up all my life, after a long stay and various stints in Bangalore city since 2004. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">On 2 Aug. 2012 I joined Royal Enfield Motorcycles as General Manager – Business Development. Over the next 2 years, I would set up 160 dealerships across India for the niche motorcycle brand. I was also responsible for working closely with the Management and the Design Agency on-board to implement the new Retail identity of the brand, which included the new look and feel of the store interiors – from transforming the dealership as an automobile showroom to a lifestyle-led format. In those 24 months, I travelled extensively across India, as always Wed – Fri. every week, 40+ weeks a year, first flight out, last flight-in. I would have travelled more to Tier 2/3/4 towns, especially across Northern India where the brand had a brilliant parentage and was well received. Forget discounts on bikes, my first and second degree connections would just have one request – if deliveries can be shortened, from a usual 6-9 months to a little less than 3 months. Thanks to a supportive Sales Team, I guess we did manage to deliver a few such instances.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nWSeMgm0RnOtFQxdrGg6puJJEX88BfMTq8BqTufoWRQau26CeO-917JN1q49gz7FqhXcfn-pwmhLiS5XJRPHj45nCfX0T9Ykg0Syzy_NqapqQVXK8Ilt0y47xpcYnuf2SPvNn5N3AN13LoR7IvCEqrrPlOlBMTYa_CaIWXtS4eFkgZ9xs5IXf-Oz/s4032/IMG_7842.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nWSeMgm0RnOtFQxdrGg6puJJEX88BfMTq8BqTufoWRQau26CeO-917JN1q49gz7FqhXcfn-pwmhLiS5XJRPHj45nCfX0T9Ykg0Syzy_NqapqQVXK8Ilt0y47xpcYnuf2SPvNn5N3AN13LoR7IvCEqrrPlOlBMTYa_CaIWXtS4eFkgZ9xs5IXf-Oz/w400-h300/IMG_7842.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">It was a revelation to see how the vehicle meant different things to different people. For a metro male, it was upgrading his lifestyle from a humble scooter or a motorcycle to a macho Royal Enfield; for a student who has just passed out his UG (or one in the making), it was a reward from his lovely family; for a groom-to be, it was a gift from his parents or in-laws to be; and in one such instance, the wife of a good friend of mine gave him a surprise on his 40<sup>th</sup> birthday with a Thunderbird 350cc. Lovely memories that I carry from those times. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">We also set-up a first of its kind Royal Enfield showroom at the tony “Saket” locality in South Delhi at the Select Citywalk Mall. Technically, the store was located outside the mall precincts and there was a road dividing the two, so we got the best of both – passersby to the Mall as well as serious patrons of the brand.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">For the record, Royal Enfield is the world’s oldest and continuous-in production automobile brand in the world, now over 120 years old. The brand, which was born in the UK found its home in India, at the erstwhile state of Madras in the late 1950s when a city based entrepreneur purchased the rights of the brand as well as to retail the machines – Made like a Gun – as its tagline goes, the bikes which were used in World War 1 & 2. Over time, the brand died a natural death with the advent of Japanese bikes as well as home-grown ones including Hero, Kinetic, Bajaj and TVS Motors. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">In the mid- to late 90s, the brand was on the verge of closure, which is when the new owner Eicher Motors acquired the cult brand to turn it around. They struggled for a few years, but eventually cracked the market and broke records. As per today’s report in the media, the company sold 55,555 bikes in July 2022 incl. exports while the domestic sales at the dealer level was 50,265 units. The company is expected to launch new models later this month. A decade back, the company would produce / bill to dealers around 11,000 units pm! The only thing that hasn’t changed then and now – the craze for the brand and it’s waiting period. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">My aunt, who bought me up since I was one-year old was diagnosed with a rare type of carcinoma in Nov. 2013 – Uterian, Ovarian cancer which is quite uncommon in India. Among women, it is the 7<sup>th</sup> most common type of cancer worldwide and 8<sup>th</sup> most common cause of death from cancer. Like millions, she too succumbed after fighting the disease for 4 years. Upon the discovery of her ailment, my fledgling retail career came to a standstill. There were days when I shuddered the thought of waking up the next day, wondering what to do without a proper job, a full time career, a sagging start-up I had adventured and piling debts and EMIs. Life moved on. And I survived all these years, to write this column today. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">Life moves on, will keep moving, just like the arms of a clock. But over these years, I have grown wiser, most probably, if anything. A proud Madrasi that I am, I am sure I will make my hometown proud.<o:p></o:p></p>Shriram, The Retailerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431705150226677933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258529340016157236.post-19216531081582873982022-06-19T14:20:00.005+05:302022-06-19T14:20:53.612+05:30The rise of Tier 2 towns<p style="text-align: justify;">Have been on a pan-India tour for the past few weeks, visiting our stores, interacting with my colleagues, our valued franchise partners, mall managers, heads & ecosystem partners and of course, our esteemed customers. I must admit that my trips have been skewed to Tier 2 towns and by design. For, this is where India lives and spends. Over the past 24 months or so, we have witnessed a massive reverse migration from bigger cities to smaller towns, ever since the pandemic led lockdown began. Initially thought to be a short-term trend, things seem to have gained traction all across India for the past 1 year. So much so, that many employees across Industries and companies are now – literally demanding – that they be allowed to WFH with a hybrid model of physical presence at the office precincts.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">One’s loss is another’s gain, they say. As a Retailer, I cannot complain!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrF5Og2Elg-2O_efumkNnIffPppEL-1ET_t2Eh9Eh3Tpy4zwserLbtVIgnxK4wF1f93S4r9z8EMGN_Z7wvJh6aKGnvTexTuekTO8BEb4EDkiEF1eAEyqyMU5sZf5rNdK88IAvMXN5gpcNzr3VWEALqLMyplvg2acBJVyKEXXfLmcQW2qBLq4YKU9xt/s4032/14518688-B7AC-468A-90EF-7F60C24572E6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrF5Og2Elg-2O_efumkNnIffPppEL-1ET_t2Eh9Eh3Tpy4zwserLbtVIgnxK4wF1f93S4r9z8EMGN_Z7wvJh6aKGnvTexTuekTO8BEb4EDkiEF1eAEyqyMU5sZf5rNdK88IAvMXN5gpcNzr3VWEALqLMyplvg2acBJVyKEXXfLmcQW2qBLq4YKU9xt/w400-h300/14518688-B7AC-468A-90EF-7F60C24572E6.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">The photo above was taken early June at Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow’s famed Phoenix Pallasio Mall on a weekday. The 1 million sq.ft. Mall has a dozen or so international luxury brands, 3 dozen+ international premium brands, over 50+ domestic brands and scores of regional brands in fashion and food. This mall is located pretty much in the outskirts of the town and has a neighbour closely, the 6-lakh sq.ft. Lulu mall which opens doors in Q2 FY22. Last week I was at Guwahati, Assam and our Franchise Partners says the state is about to get 8 new malls. At a Starbucks cafe in Bhubaneswar’s Esplanade Mall, I saw for the first time more tables filled with family crowds than anywhere in India! The foodcourts across Malls are overflowing as though there is a shortage of food in some areas (sic). </p><p style="text-align: justify;">This kind of retail upswing in Tier 2 towns is unprecedented at best. As I celebrate by silver jubilee in Retail this year – 25th year since I started scooping ice-cream in 1997, I have seen multiple waves in retail. The first one was around 2001, when modern retail hit the streets. Around 2008, we saw a Mall boom, primarily led by the Metro cities and Tier-2 asking for department store chains like Central, Shoppers Stop, Lifestyle, Westside among others. Around 2014, the retail growth hit a peak with several unstructured malls (zoning wise) either shutting shop or turning coats to become a commercial (offices) dwelling. Since 2017, things swung back to action, especially after the introduction of GST, much to the surprise of economic critics and experts.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79g8ArBCTYc022MmmrCMqD8-URbBWBKVuiCUHB3WIz-exygQ7_UOc9fsNt5Wm-D0UX0qvSujzg5IjzRPIwDR43ScqMY8N41WCvuOR4MAgd6DRvBfLGmFlkFUB9HWUIYXY2mJd0pGySfp0NrwWyUxIU4Z3ZQHOreBAHqcgGZlkWKWSMRyf4GjCciSZ/s4032/D8DE3205-616D-4C3D-81BA-F4D9CE04A703.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79g8ArBCTYc022MmmrCMqD8-URbBWBKVuiCUHB3WIz-exygQ7_UOc9fsNt5Wm-D0UX0qvSujzg5IjzRPIwDR43ScqMY8N41WCvuOR4MAgd6DRvBfLGmFlkFUB9HWUIYXY2mJd0pGySfp0NrwWyUxIU4Z3ZQHOreBAHqcgGZlkWKWSMRyf4GjCciSZ/w400-h300/D8DE3205-616D-4C3D-81BA-F4D9CE04A703.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">We live in a pandemic world – I don’t call it a post pandemic one – because the virus is just here to stay in some form or the other. Just that we humans have become more resilient. Every 6-8 weeks, the Media Industry fuels scare with new statistics, but consumers have been dodging these overtures since Sep. ’21. This shall continue for a while and eventually pass by. But the growth of Tier 2 markets is here to stay for sometime. One big reason for this is that there is money in the pockets of the aspirational middle class. Monsoons have been good for the past 2 years, so has been Agri-production. Oil crisis has been surging ever since the Ukraine-Russia conflict began. But India and Indians have adjusted. The statistic compilation on inflations seems to read otherwise, but that’s more theory I guess. The jobless have remain so by choice, not because there is a lack of opportunity.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">While a small group of people were throwing stones and torching trains at Patna Railway station last week, I saw several hundreds of youth at retail stores and malls working earnestly for a better today and tomorrow for themselves and their families. Real estate, residential and empty plots - especially if it is of any indication, then the smaller towns seem to be a better bet in terms of wealth creation. The surge in Tier 2 markets across India seems to be unstoppable, atleast in the Retail sector, one that is integral to me personally and professionally. The rent for retail stores matches metro cities by 1:1, sometimes 1: 1.5 or even more. The challenge is supply (of spaces) and not demand. This will settle down soon, as well.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p>Shriram, The Retailerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431705150226677933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258529340016157236.post-57294389220281510182022-06-10T21:52:00.006+05:302022-06-11T18:43:36.631+05:30My travel travails and why I love them<p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">After a long while, I travelled all through the week and in one of the most favourite parts of the country – Northern India. Though the summer was a killer, I enjoyed every moment being there – doing what I love the most in life – observing consumer behaviour at high streets and malls, interacting with our customers, staff, franchise partners, mall owners and the entire ecosystem. Some great food all along – wholesome North Indian stuff was a bonus. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeP_Wl_3N_quy4zN32JVpAGPurOQtAkeRMPDhGLvxuwhVdFSUbhGQHnEa8iranO5WAMWAULDLr3f7O3HooQfAlS2WaJ9AzuY277J61kkP6iUwN3gfxmwwF--Qpe93-za8RhDCKRUk4i1qPtYfKD_8bqlwBRPhzdq_EV98QcxjJJVMJzrbt4s4M7f5/s4032/E8BC122B-DB53-49C1-8429-7713DE34EA97.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeP_Wl_3N_quy4zN32JVpAGPurOQtAkeRMPDhGLvxuwhVdFSUbhGQHnEa8iranO5WAMWAULDLr3f7O3HooQfAlS2WaJ9AzuY277J61kkP6iUwN3gfxmwwF--Qpe93-za8RhDCKRUk4i1qPtYfKD_8bqlwBRPhzdq_EV98QcxjJJVMJzrbt4s4M7f5/w400-h300/E8BC122B-DB53-49C1-8429-7713DE34EA97.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the New Delhi railway station</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">This is my 25th year in Retail and I’ve been travelling almost 45 weeks a year, 3 days a week for over 15 years now, mostly on work. Though it’s mostly just one Boss to be accountable to, managing a fairly young & a cross-functional team and being a part of a mature, mid-sized organisation is quite a challenge. Here are some quick learning that I have acquired over the years. While all of them may not be doabe by everyone, am sure some of this could be useful to a few discerning ones;</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>The itinerary</u></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">This is the most important part of the journey. I have always believed that the journey is as important (and exciting) as the destination, its quite important that one plans their journey time-table, including the choice of flights / trains / local accommodation. A poorly planned itinerary is the beginning of chaos to come during the trip. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDu1vj3wNvSwpd6dvuJMhwbFv-8g4FzJy4Km9ci0bfjCNePoOMp6gYXXM8Ms1BNENQXErvSJrPXLrHrqxRMac7ME7WMoS1Q0kTVm4OX3-gvsMZYUvRs21KEh9b2d86-Iy4JTP7mQ9EpoXie_scuw-3rzZx8mATDUc8ejf4sJBctN10M1pBwbMfiFY/s4032/CA555CAC-BED6-49AC-8433-F20DEB3A89E0.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDu1vj3wNvSwpd6dvuJMhwbFv-8g4FzJy4Km9ci0bfjCNePoOMp6gYXXM8Ms1BNENQXErvSJrPXLrHrqxRMac7ME7WMoS1Q0kTVm4OX3-gvsMZYUvRs21KEh9b2d86-Iy4JTP7mQ9EpoXie_scuw-3rzZx8mATDUc8ejf4sJBctN10M1pBwbMfiFY/w400-h300/CA555CAC-BED6-49AC-8433-F20DEB3A89E0.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shirt holder that I make the best use of</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>The right luggage</u></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">While there is no secret to packing the right quantity and quality of luggage, let me tell you it always is a science and an art. A fairly planned set of clothes – 2:1 ratio of shirts to trousers usually does the work, whether casual or formals. Extra sets of inners always helps, just in case of an emergency. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>Meeting schedules</u></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">This is one area where things can go awry – due to a client or a business partner not turning up in time or the most common reason in India for getting late to meetings – bad / congested roads + traffic snarls enroute the meeting place. It really helps adding a 15-30 min cushion ahead of the next meeting including the travel time. If you end up early (to the meeting), there are anyway enough emails and messages on WhatsApp to respond to.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpS6-lU-4aKKCPyi48BLqNBH3OdRGr9CZOhd58cPOMe4gfmTG324_GPHGMd_1o8Xl58Bl8a2uhZWFDif0Hy5ZdiVfYTA9D9nzGIZ5n2u300b-OAUoBK9C9ed7o0nGuUwo6F0pm2PN8BLPDlw1qXfvbGP_qbJXzFQafA4rz2ReDF6ZUAKWE3ZNE_t3X/s4032/EB17057F-C573-40FC-9454-0283C6CE7A71.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpS6-lU-4aKKCPyi48BLqNBH3OdRGr9CZOhd58cPOMe4gfmTG324_GPHGMd_1o8Xl58Bl8a2uhZWFDif0Hy5ZdiVfYTA9D9nzGIZ5n2u300b-OAUoBK9C9ed7o0nGuUwo6F0pm2PN8BLPDlw1qXfvbGP_qbJXzFQafA4rz2ReDF6ZUAKWE3ZNE_t3X/s320/EB17057F-C573-40FC-9454-0283C6CE7A71.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When in the North, do like the locals!</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>Food / Drinks – the lure</u></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Any business trip is incomplete without a fair dose of local cuisine. After all, what’s the point in sweating out so much if you don't eat well during the journey. But then, I can tell you out of experience, it always, almost always helps to avoid over-eating during business trips, especially if you like loaded stuff or spicy outings. Alcohol, while is an extension of our night life and leisure, may put you out of the best that one can appear, especially in front of the most important people you’re set out to meet the next day. Abstinence during the business trip is among the best though a bit of indulgence is not a bad idea.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>Emails & Calls</u></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">One thing to keep in mind is when we travel, there could be chances that we miss reading & replying critical emails as well as end up skipping regular review calls / VCs. One trick that has always worked for me is to keep clearing emails while on the move, that is from one meeting to another. That way, the email box always remains light and we are looped in most of the time. While its important to reschedule regular review calls or VCs during the trip, it also helps to have it first thing in the morning, right after breakfast, in the same hotel room, to ensure privacy and quietness which one may not get while on travel. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>Sleep & Rest</u></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">This is most important part of the entire journey and the least focused one. Most of us get very groggy (or smashed) when we wake up the next morning because of our “other priorities”. As I said before, it does help to avoid a heady dose of food / alcohol which can put your resting time out of zone. But there is a trick which I have been learning over time. Even when not travelling, I am conditioning my body to sleep for 6 hours – call it yoga or what you will. But a good 6-hour sleep during the night will go a long way in having a very productive day.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Lastly, make time for yourself. For making calls to the family and close friends, laughing off silly jokes and forwards, reading stuff you like, taking photos and writing or posting on social media, doing fun things and to just stay still to see the sunrise and breathe well during the business trip. All work and no play make Jack & Jill dull. So go there and make the best of a business trip next time.</p><div><br /></div>Shriram, The Retailerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431705150226677933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258529340016157236.post-47020817078471553402022-04-01T09:16:00.005+05:302022-04-01T09:16:44.686+05:30 Happy New Year<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">I was among those millions in India who would end up waking up groggy on the 1st of Jan. for a few years every year between 2005 – 2012 or so. The rave parties, get togethers and the whole joy and excitement of welcoming a brand New Year was palpable. From buying new clothes to a trimmed hair cut and what not, there was so much consumer spending around Christmas and New Year. With homes getting a tad bigger, households getting more liberal, party venues moved from hotels and public places to living rooms, esp. in the high rise apartments. Shouting “Happy New Year” from a balcony and wishing strangers was absolutely acceptable on that night (and the next morning!). Many years later I realised how stupid the whole thing was. Been a few years since I attained my “buddha” moment from being a budhu.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSXL-VGOqeqCn9uQoXo6icF3PnqXbhfjr2SukF0yRcvZ-rfQKsODiaSyextnSUJsB8JS7_JNwOFCMZZULVpMhD6Th1w1WBdLCiWDHB7duTEkbmkbX_4q4NYE6c3I3CG1Erz5JRuxSfrDVkVGvDUukz9C64q68-HwqPGBNc6ejRGj9ymI1TaZcJ2Ab/s2560/82C03130-FF36-42F1-8AAE-822BAE43E202.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1625" data-original-width="2560" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSXL-VGOqeqCn9uQoXo6icF3PnqXbhfjr2SukF0yRcvZ-rfQKsODiaSyextnSUJsB8JS7_JNwOFCMZZULVpMhD6Th1w1WBdLCiWDHB7duTEkbmkbX_4q4NYE6c3I3CG1Erz5JRuxSfrDVkVGvDUukz9C64q68-HwqPGBNc6ejRGj9ymI1TaZcJ2Ab/w400-h254/82C03130-FF36-42F1-8AAE-822BAE43E202.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">The 1st of Jan. is celebrated with fanfare globally, for it marks the dawn of a new chapter in the lives of people in many countries. For them, it’s the starting of a new Academic year for children, a new Financial year for businesses and a new year, with a change in season to embrace the goodness of nature. Lastly, it is also celebratory right after Christmas, a festival revered and celebrated by over half of the world. So, yes for them it makes a lot of sense.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Retailers worldwide run huge sale campaigns right from end-Nov – the Black Friday Sale all the way up to Cyber Monday Sale which has caught up in the past 20 years. People change their cars and bikes, deck up their houses, paint the inner and outer walls as spring & summer season beckons and shop for new clothes to suit the weather conditions. Many professional change jobs and several others retire around December. The entire construct is so different in these countries and has been that way for them. Works well too, I guess. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcXLrMDWFH1rAUp3ooycIlf3jJYp78vb8H5IKr2yAVWjAWsg8Pxqjvq-QbX6eYtbOHNaMc6KqlWbbQRzWxg8smUAvel3_-8koDiSi1Vh8BWo18D6xnGcw4XvdjyZtquzgjDNLh51a4xZvMJyNz9Yv2B2-enVD21R-fn_bZ8qFvxAU1q1AczKXvSKG/s1400/0EBBAD52-2A34-4F76-A357-1CFED18AAC02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="932" data-original-width="1400" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcXLrMDWFH1rAUp3ooycIlf3jJYp78vb8H5IKr2yAVWjAWsg8Pxqjvq-QbX6eYtbOHNaMc6KqlWbbQRzWxg8smUAvel3_-8koDiSi1Vh8BWo18D6xnGcw4XvdjyZtquzgjDNLh51a4xZvMJyNz9Yv2B2-enVD21R-fn_bZ8qFvxAU1q1AczKXvSKG/w400-h266/0EBBAD52-2A34-4F76-A357-1CFED18AAC02.png" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">However, India and Indians have embraced this trend almost meaninglessly as we try to ape the West in several ways. As long as we imbibe the good – such as environmental awareness, climate change, gender pay-gap among other things, it’s okay. But to celebrate someone else’s new year and go ga-ga about it – has become a weird trend.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">For many years now, I celebrate “New Year” twice in a year – one on the 1st of April as the professional year begins. It’s also the change of academic year for my kids, so that’s a reason to cheer and motivate them to do better. A sought after time in the year for employees to look forward to a hike in Salary, expect a Bonus and perhaps, even a job change for many. The second is the New Year celebrated within our community – Ugadi – that phase of the Spring season based on the Lunar Calendar. At a personal level, it’s about offering obeisance to the Creator Lord Almighty and wearing new clothes, but nothing much beyond.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">On the professional side, it’s a very important day to look forward to. The run-up begins usually 45-60 days in advance, with the making of the coveted “Annual Business Plan” (ABP), reworking on it several times and finally making the entire team buy in to your vision for the business – right from the Board and Top Management till the lowest cadre employee in the system. While the more organised Corporates and large companies go through this almost ritualistically, several mid-sized companies and SMEs usually tend to ignore the importance of “Strategic Planning”. When I say this, it’s not just about a dream number to achieve – be it any business. Rather, a methodical and practical way to build up the entire narrative – either top-down or bottom-up like a pyramid. But this is just so important, so we know what to do with the next 365 days. That’s a lot of time to achieve any business goal, honestly. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhezWMdgMhnFUXECBKjGg62tbX5sHKv-HAFFEaT5is0Sgf9E52SI9xCd0qN8GAbnXLaX1StdGdBBmJQQ2NKpTdk_vX0dtzRPL_chXGJ1tldKCGCStyvuF8WiOU1X302BevO4zbh2MEJY_OehUyrIbzVvkm4eO_OHVNegnv8MVVLW-17_eIU5YiZKyCJ/s4032/19F8BAB5-354B-48C2-B290-997CACCC056D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhezWMdgMhnFUXECBKjGg62tbX5sHKv-HAFFEaT5is0Sgf9E52SI9xCd0qN8GAbnXLaX1StdGdBBmJQQ2NKpTdk_vX0dtzRPL_chXGJ1tldKCGCStyvuF8WiOU1X302BevO4zbh2MEJY_OehUyrIbzVvkm4eO_OHVNegnv8MVVLW-17_eIU5YiZKyCJ/w400-h300/19F8BAB5-354B-48C2-B290-997CACCC056D.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">The first day and the first few days of the new Financial Year is so important towards clear goal setting and creating measurable plans to execute them. While completing the ABP well in advance helps – one gets 365 days to achieve it, even starting off the process in early April is not bad at all. But not having a clear plan for every working day of the year is so important.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">It’s better to have a clear plan, try one’s best to achieve it and still, fail to do so, rather not having a plan at all. I have seen several leaders grappling with business challenges through the year – one of it being unplanned on the way forward. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Here’s wishing you all a healthy, wealthy prosperous FY 22-23 ahead. Cheers & Good luck. </span></p><div><br /></div>Shriram, The Retailerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431705150226677933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258529340016157236.post-29330571623317388432022-03-04T23:06:00.007+05:302022-03-05T08:44:00.434+05:30 My trysts with Ad-film making<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Yesterday, I completed making my 12<sup>th</sup> Ad film, this one for my current employer Specsmakers. Though I always had a liking and flair for commercial cinema, the most I have come close is to write movie reviews. Never in my life did I imagine I would be part of 12 Ad films for 2 brands, one an established one with a great market presence and another, a budding consumer brand. Whichever way, it’s been a great learning experience.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMjUQXtyixSkYMLpRZfOi6k6cx6UdiahhNJmkZJ3YflEuxO8dnfkGtqE7FU-aJIF1dOXA29C1NANJW9kIQGKw_ABmvrfw9Vv3EEc3q39pyBPB-KqHTzUIDbJeNr4WCzMy_yQgw6mzsgK6Qq7Z25aSZaKl_gtZyeeXVlt5-TuxiAr6BdasMM--6r6Ha=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMjUQXtyixSkYMLpRZfOi6k6cx6UdiahhNJmkZJ3YflEuxO8dnfkGtqE7FU-aJIF1dOXA29C1NANJW9kIQGKw_ABmvrfw9Vv3EEc3q39pyBPB-KqHTzUIDbJeNr4WCzMy_yQgw6mzsgK6Qq7Z25aSZaKl_gtZyeeXVlt5-TuxiAr6BdasMM--6r6Ha=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It all began in 2020 during the peak of the first ever lockdown which was an outcome of an unknown viral disease which was popularised by its medical name SARS Novel Coronavirus, moniker name Covid-19. The country was shutdown for over 3 weeks since 27 March and the rest of the world was no different including Europe, Australia and everything in between, save for the US where the former President and many others reckoned that such a didn’t never exist – living in denial for long. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span>I read newspaper reports of silly family arguments which led to extreme cases of domestic violence all the way leading up to suicides and divorce. The reason – disagreement to share household work. These were young couples, most of them who had not even crossed their 10</span><sup>th</sup><span> </span><span>wedding anniversaries. From a nervous breakdown due to not stepping out of home or socialising to concerns of job loss or loss of income, people were getting more depressed than ever. During late May, my septuagenarian parents tested positive for Covid-19. I took them to the Govt. approved medical isolation centre and dropped them off – eyes swollen and with an eerie feeling, whether I would see them ever after. To all our surprise, they both were discharged on the 3</span><sup>rd</sup><span> </span><span>day after a basic treatment even as the Govt. had to fill their beds with more deserving patients.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimC4feAWmj8LvLSpHY7kCiByUOvb4Ji4zKNI4Gwzc0JI9fC8ORPqPzLppPh8aP0HzE42i7t2BgfkENhjZ9kT3AVvruYhYKq1DpRpVHnIfAkj6nWPdbI15ZXgR2pxiKT7_Ia4vP7ISfo5xiNH8ZcZ7pb6TFO2Rsd0DD-iehzGV_NylqG_BLGUdsyhFF=w400-h300" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">That’s when it stuck to me that I should do an AD film which would go on TV to showcase how Senior Citizens in India (and worldwide) went about doing their own things while the younger generation was complaining. The result was a TVC shoot feat. <a href="https://youtu.be/-OwUTeDjWSQ" target="_blank">Pandmashree Dhananjayans</a>, the ace dance couple from Chennai who popularised Bharatnatyam dance form world over. The couple shot for 8 hours, showcasing household work and <a href="https://youtu.be/ruSnuaBkPi8" target="_blank">enjoying Levista coffee</a> & their own company! In a few months, we shot 3 Ads for Levista coffee to celebrate the association with <a href="https://youtu.be/mS-HAJir2SQ" target="_blank">Chennai Super Kings.</a> The Ads which were played exclusively on TV channels and on Youtube went viral, garnering <a href="https://youtu.be/-J2i-Ycf7IE" target="_blank">mass appeal</a> and great <a href="https://youtu.be/x3LdT750heQ" target="_blank">brand presence</a>. Later, we did 2 more ADs to celebrate the <a href="https://youtu.be/psjDAu6o664" target="_blank">festival spirit</a> and festivities as well as <a href="https://youtu.be/58QdVlT4uIk" target="_blank">accepting WFH</a> and moving on.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In 2021, when I joined Specsmakers, we shot 2 Ads, one of which was an industry first. The lead actor prompted people to buy a new pair of specs as part of <a href="https://youtu.be/4jR0Ao83J7g" target="_blank">their festival shopping</a> which had some serious positive impact on our Deepavali Sales. The other one <a href="https://youtu.be/J3XCVlt8nCM" target="_blank">was two friends</a> discussing about affordable specs continues to garner more and more respect for the brand.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilhFsVcm2pKI7R9ecZaIPUM55WMI-6hS-Yxed57SOKCTqqvRwqLxkmTujSujMO0fkuo6ptuB9A-e1b3CuLQe_9uQV6QiCn2DYXUArv8Brzxf4_8d5DvM7j4TthYqv85T-5dv9RjcuV7y0RlwslwqsYYspUo8HifxWISRVk1S39wMIB1HqR7e78vePi=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilhFsVcm2pKI7R9ecZaIPUM55WMI-6hS-Yxed57SOKCTqqvRwqLxkmTujSujMO0fkuo6ptuB9A-e1b3CuLQe_9uQV6QiCn2DYXUArv8Brzxf4_8d5DvM7j4TthYqv85T-5dv9RjcuV7y0RlwslwqsYYspUo8HifxWISRVk1S39wMIB1HqR7e78vePi=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span>And over the last 2 days, we shot six TVCs – yes, six of them in a tightly planned and executed schedule which wouldn’t have been possible without the cooperation, strategic planning and execution of the Director and his capable team members. </span><span>While all the 12 Ads have been directed by professional Ad film makers of high repute, I must say that I was actively involved in evolving the concept, writing the script, being at the shooting spot and making on-the-spot corrections and improvisations and of course, to plan their broadcast appropriately so the respective brands got their desired and deserved visibility and promotion.</span><span> Needless to say, never tried to ghost-direct the scenes while leaving all creative liberties to the Director, Camera & Lighting team, Costume Designers and the Actors.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Last but not the least, I also ended up acting in an AD film for Quick Heal anti-virus products which was released earlier this week. Though I desired to take up modelling 25 years back, it finally happened now! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hoUISX2Dpv0" width="320" youtube-src-id="hoUISX2Dpv0"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></p>My most important learning from the creation of these Brand assets – either being behind the camera or in front of it, something for which I have not been formally trained, is that one can excel in any field of their choice including film-making, whether short form or long and at any age in their lifetime, provided we give our best to sincerely learn the techniques from scratch with dedication and latch on to the one who teach us. </span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Practical experience that I have gained watching innumerous commercial feature films all these years have also helped me to appreciate the detailing and importance for nuances which have often come out at the sets and on the spot much to the surprise & delight of the crew!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p></div>Shriram, The Retailerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431705150226677933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258529340016157236.post-89084161469929834082022-02-28T22:21:00.009+05:302022-02-28T22:21:51.798+05:30Brands are timeless, Khans are not<p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">If you have been following all the chatter on social media and top brand / advertising journals and magazines, the buzz is about the recent TVC feat. Shah Rukh Khan for Thums Up and the upcoming new TVC feat. Salman Khan for Pepsi. That the two have swapped their roles for their previously endorsed brands is one thing. But are they even relevant in today’s times is another. The last hit film of SRK was over 12 years back. I mean, a Box Office hit, that is. Salman, on the other hand is up with a new movie every 2 years for ID festival and gets attention across the world, though mostly from the hinterlands of India. While the collections in the first week of the film’s release have been ranging upwards of 100 Cr, 200 Cr & 300 Cr for Salman, that’s not the case for SRK, unfortunately. His core audience, the 90s kids are now having kids who are in their teens or twenties. The moustache-less handsome young man that SRK was faded away many moons back. His demeanour and confidence of Chak De! hasn’t been revisited by the ace actor ever after, for reasons best known to him.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">So why would multi-nationals Pepsi & Coke risk their brand image with the Khans? <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjUKe6gJJPPQvZIUr40cLnG_XNKU5xUriwPmKUt1jzmSmxcwPupMXj-UodZtnd_DEf8b4gJNRbSIS1sUIdpvudnppeb7H7PHBKG1q38iEO9tuE0HBQtBGxrmWJEuJSetsjU3NmHgdivo3KnEeVyiM0sB_z-5NFoAEosF5bkcDGBzJrpwlK8-QBmA0Q=s1200" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1200" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjUKe6gJJPPQvZIUr40cLnG_XNKU5xUriwPmKUt1jzmSmxcwPupMXj-UodZtnd_DEf8b4gJNRbSIS1sUIdpvudnppeb7H7PHBKG1q38iEO9tuE0HBQtBGxrmWJEuJSetsjU3NmHgdivo3KnEeVyiM0sB_z-5NFoAEosF5bkcDGBzJrpwlK8-QBmA0Q=w400-h223" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">After all, Brands are timeless but the Khans are not…<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Ask any kid in their high school age group of today and there is a lean chance they would have watched DDLJ, HAHK or DTPH. If you are even wondering what these acronyms mean, you belong to a different era altogether. In the early to mid-90s, SRK endorsed Pepsi and took it across the country – from Board rooms to class rooms, office canteens to Tech Parks and beyond with his “Dil Maange more” campaigns alongside Sachin Tendulkar. On the other side, macho man Salman pounced with “Taste the Thunder” alongside ThumsUp, an Indianized cola drink which is supposedly more popular outside the metro cities. Over time, the two heroes and the other Khan, Mr. Perfect Aamir, endorsed the three cola brands including Coke among themselves. And then came the young crop of actors & sportsmen, mostly cricketers who took over and lead the campaigns.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">In 2022, after many years of association with their preferred soft beverages, Salman and SRK have reversed their roles, moving in to the opposite camps, much to the surprise of their fans. The Ad-Industry and Brand veterans are divided in their views too. Salesmen of both companies are a confused lot, for having seen their current Brand Ambassadors in competitive camps earlier. The shopkeepers, mostly kirana owners are clueless how these things work. For the common people on the road, it’s yet another marketing gimmick by multinational companies spending crores of rupees to drive sales. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZvVHA4mjTu10SBTfOwe7-GrDTfT6VlzNhOszPetPBH3sDodlHQHzGnLeRW8jUby0PQkoSTBC-lpUW3IpS_yM3VHV2upBVuI49gsezslCmG54EQtzyo_-IMAVx8zvHd9_N6-DC5xbf2ZFksUGNrqxSB6RWcz2GxFQ4xZ3_nCwjxfi7sWGS01t9jy4k=s748" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="748" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZvVHA4mjTu10SBTfOwe7-GrDTfT6VlzNhOszPetPBH3sDodlHQHzGnLeRW8jUby0PQkoSTBC-lpUW3IpS_yM3VHV2upBVuI49gsezslCmG54EQtzyo_-IMAVx8zvHd9_N6-DC5xbf2ZFksUGNrqxSB6RWcz2GxFQ4xZ3_nCwjxfi7sWGS01t9jy4k=w400-h259" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">The verdict is clearly divided.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Why would SRK, who has always been known for his soft image, even in his recent outings like “Love you Zindagi” portray a more mean image with his latest campaign? See the Ad here.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">And with Antim, Salman proved to be the most macho among Bollywood heroes (perhaps after Dharam garam) and remains a bachelor at 57 years of age alongside SRK – yes, that’s correct. In 2025, they both would turn Senior Citizens! <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Why have the best of Marketing minds in Pepsi and Coke chosen this path? Have they run out of options in today’s sporting and entertainment fields? Absolutely not. Do they still believe SRK & Salman draw their own crowds and fan following? Perhaps yes. A big yes, at that. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s42gsntYWgg" width="320" youtube-src-id="s42gsntYWgg"></iframe></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Salman’s fanbase is far wider than that of SRK’s. That could be a reason why Pepsi has now onboarded Salman, so they get to target the more mature audience, supposedly. On the other hand, SRK’s core fanbase has now entered their 40s and 50s, some in their 60s too. Perhaps, ThumsUp with Rum is a great combination. Also, ThumsUp could now be vying more familial attention. Maybe not. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">All said and done, Khans age, brands don’t. They will outlive this campaign anyway. <o:p></o:p></p>Shriram, The Retailerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431705150226677933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258529340016157236.post-44537926262156102102022-02-15T11:28:00.003+05:302022-02-15T11:28:52.266+05:30Valentines’ - a lost Retail opportunity? <p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">A decade and a half ago, Valentine’s day sales was something that retailers across India were looking forward to. Slowly, the sales opportunity spread over to Valentines weekend – including the one before or after 14 Feb. What started off with red roses as gifts to woo across genders (yeah, including the Queer community) slowly moved up the value chain. Stores of yore back then like Odyssey, Crossword, Landmark and the good old Archies were customer’s favourites to flock to. From little table clocks in heart shape to greeting cards, posters, charts, perfumes – the list was unending. I recall how even apparel retailers and fashion brands started planning well in advance for the V-Day (sic) and had special collections with red and white patterns spread across tops, skirts, t-shirts and so on. So much so, that the <b><i>EOSS – End of Season Sale</i></b> at Department Stores and branded outlets would begin only during late-Feb. The idea was to cash in on the eagerness of customers to wear something new for the occasion. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj26xCOz3RBdRvZiCbEB3NKc8PCO-DYRaLN_-tchnBZXkB2eG2gTJCx57KC8QVKvLIRl8weKuRfz7A3-vRHZ6XjsyS0oW-obFC5COQP9NyXfOvPxR6gc9Z0yLOpZINvInWE20wzncDJdy3Fv4SdDJRn4UGsGXSenV_ejnPX282QcpGjpjlVz0-nUch-=s1080" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj26xCOz3RBdRvZiCbEB3NKc8PCO-DYRaLN_-tchnBZXkB2eG2gTJCx57KC8QVKvLIRl8weKuRfz7A3-vRHZ6XjsyS0oW-obFC5COQP9NyXfOvPxR6gc9Z0yLOpZINvInWE20wzncDJdy3Fv4SdDJRn4UGsGXSenV_ejnPX282QcpGjpjlVz0-nUch-=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Restaurants, Pubs and Bars across India took the opportunity to have specials. Star hotels had a special table set-up including candle-night dinners. Some even had set packages – for the first proposal, to celebrate an anniversary and for families included. The costs were prohibitive in many cases but discerning consumers saved up for their big day. This is when Credit Card issuing Banks wooed customers with special offers for shopping & dining. Many even got in to expensive buys which spiked their interest payouts subsequently. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVSQNwO5EXNGLol6W19Pg3ru-0aNQC9iGmqf-h3Y1p-x8Waxg2Q732dfkahTC3Z1sn6jkhfe8CNyKGBkqoLTGPKTOsjUMqAKcMgdYySHHVTUlUA_vozb4DwjXoGHHVmRvK_kUlwXsOt0QD6tZsDARJzbo28UUoOXmB2oljF4Z0Zb4PTD25F7GDWB-e=s1080" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVSQNwO5EXNGLol6W19Pg3ru-0aNQC9iGmqf-h3Y1p-x8Waxg2Q732dfkahTC3Z1sn6jkhfe8CNyKGBkqoLTGPKTOsjUMqAKcMgdYySHHVTUlUA_vozb4DwjXoGHHVmRvK_kUlwXsOt0QD6tZsDARJzbo28UUoOXmB2oljF4Z0Zb4PTD25F7GDWB-e=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">With the evolution of the digital media around the end of the first decade of the new millennium, sales of these coveted products & services started declining. The focus moved away from roses and gifts to more elite and expensive ones. Mobile phones were among the most preferred one for the day! After all, the key purpose of a mobile phone is communication and what better than a mobile phone. The haves gifted iPhones. The less privileged took great efforts to gift expensive iPhones and other models to their loved ones. Retailers & Banks collided together by offering EMIs with or without interest. Greeting Cards were now being replaced with digital messages. Movie dates in premium multiplexes were a big draw. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">However, the millennials (Zen Z) were somehow not buying in to this larger story of gifting for a purpose. No matter how many movies in Indian languages and in western contexts have come and gone, the current gen doesn’t feel the necessity for this show-off.Many kids (and grown-ups) from the millennial background prefer to “go dutch” on their first and even the following dates until they are damn sure if the two want to go any further. Many new-gen today prefer to split the cost of marriage and are fast enough to decide on a break-up, before or after marriage. Therefore, gifting and the purported retail uptick in sales is glaringly missing these days. Numbers speak louder than opinions, after all. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEju_dLuhqk4mAsNYqzUIqJBnXAcmGbVfkf_FYmqPTHRsJzkPS3qn5c33g5uSFXe_qF0sRcBw_quwq2oeGJj7PTtz0y0GnaeaBdhKyBAddmP2G5-PwUFn6-fTjpLMxn9gpKOX41IDnsE6FQk4VhGdEPd_eSmUHMDuDbWHZ_Norh-rdSfgrUonHbp824D=s600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEju_dLuhqk4mAsNYqzUIqJBnXAcmGbVfkf_FYmqPTHRsJzkPS3qn5c33g5uSFXe_qF0sRcBw_quwq2oeGJj7PTtz0y0GnaeaBdhKyBAddmP2G5-PwUFn6-fTjpLMxn9gpKOX41IDnsE6FQk4VhGdEPd_eSmUHMDuDbWHZ_Norh-rdSfgrUonHbp824D=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">From being condoned for displaying public affection to their partners by right wing extremists, to avoiding public glare of the extended family and their surrounding society in the 2000s, today’s millennials have a very different take on dating and beyond. They are not too shy to not take a gift when they meet someone, prefer to pay for their coffee (or beer) and certainly not taking the date on an expensive dinner. This consumer attitude is certainly impacting shopping behaviour at stores and online as well. Numbers speak for themselves, after all!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Retailers who had expected a surge in sales of various products were staring at empty store fronts during the last weekend, which also happened to be Valentine’s eve. Restaurants were not even running full capacity, forget having the ability to sell tables at a premium. Is it because of food ordering apps like Swiggy & Zomato? Perhaps not. For one, the cost is more or less the same (or more) as going out. Second, the occasion is best spent with an experience than watching Netflix and dining a pizza! So what’s the message for retailers at large? That V-Day sales opportunity in India is not as big a shopping festival as in other parts of the world?<o:p></o:p></p>Shriram, The Retailerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431705150226677933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258529340016157236.post-31905756551223901372022-01-16T22:53:00.006+05:302022-01-16T23:03:48.738+05:30The Annual Tribute post<p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Even as the country celebrates Pongal, Makara Sankranthi, Lohri and so on, I cannot but reminisce and thank my stars for where I am, what I am today professionally. For it was on this day, I flew off my comfort zone to build a career, a name in the Industry, and most importantly paved an opportunity for myself to pursue endless learning. Incidentally, I celebrate my Silver Jubilee year in Retail this year - A Retailer by Profession and Choice since 1997.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9XU8DMaDNpI4nXZer52kcxtNtByEjA6GCMsdeXLi3FE_tMl_I0K32DK6QVOyWs_KH8lz7oDaINNSWm8j_LvL-oqJMKTYNp-WmW7cAfGJxmErnsATN9_CRBu22tZ_A5g1KusQlNNWWkwmRaPe_Uygp_F6h-KB0Vt1Bfjpmhl-6Vc3B3WP8N9d9X4lS=s700" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="700" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9XU8DMaDNpI4nXZer52kcxtNtByEjA6GCMsdeXLi3FE_tMl_I0K32DK6QVOyWs_KH8lz7oDaINNSWm8j_LvL-oqJMKTYNp-WmW7cAfGJxmErnsATN9_CRBu22tZ_A5g1KusQlNNWWkwmRaPe_Uygp_F6h-KB0Vt1Bfjpmhl-6Vc3B3WP8N9d9X4lS=w640-h366" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I grew for the most of my life in the erstwhile Madras until my Post Graduation. My first posting was at Kolkata to manage Musicworld. Honestly, this was the farthest maiden travel I had taken in my entire life of 21 years and also travelled for the first time ever in a 2<sup>nd</sup> class air-conditioner sleeper coach by Coromandel Express. A year later, I returned to Chennai (the name had changed by then!) and started at Foodworld, India’s first organised Grocery retail chain. After 3 years with the company, I sensed I was not going to grow much – internal challenges, business model clarity and so on. Based on a newspaper Ad in The Hindu, I applied for a job which was based in Bangalore. My interview happened inside the retail store of the company at the Spencers Plaza Mall and in a week’s time, I received a post from the employer informing about my recruitment.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I left my hometown on Pongal / Sankranthi day by a KSRTC bus from Chennai to Bangalore with 4 bags and a heart full of dreams. Honestly, at the bottom of my heart, I was shooting in the dark but somewhere my gut feel was I would certainly not waste my life, as I was doing in Chennai, living in a comfortable cocoon under the aegis of my beloved parents. Much to their chagrin and admonishment, I stepped off the home towards a vast world which was filled with VUCA even back then. I joined Pantaloons Retail which was setting up the country’s first seamless mall by the name “Central” at Bangalore followed by aggressive expansion at Hyderabad, Pune and so on – clear focus on upcoming Tier 2 cities. Though I had my own tons of challenges in a new city, to which I had travelled just thrice before that in my lifetime, I was fortunate to be filled with fantastic colleagues, a small but worthy bunch of well wishers and an extended social ecosystem. 5 years later, I was popularly known as the guy who set-up the entire Travel Retail business at India’s first private airport – BIAL. A few years later, I was fortunate to work with India’s largest café chain – CCD and set up 100s of cafés across the country while traversing the length and breadth of the geography. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBgkzkq4dqKq4sGB6QP24UrMf9CoqWe4fjagVc-O16Oy1CrV2vgNfB-y0Q7M7NNmL3tNhpqBRq071DRF8OwAZZEAMz1H7ALswY7MNDj7BEOCLFB7eHLk9VC7LYbJ87-ned1oDBZmaQrYaYMFlrpsgcFcJlxxFOe-GWnCwOyjwcTrdn-qfDba2C13qq=s1152" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1152" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBgkzkq4dqKq4sGB6QP24UrMf9CoqWe4fjagVc-O16Oy1CrV2vgNfB-y0Q7M7NNmL3tNhpqBRq071DRF8OwAZZEAMz1H7ALswY7MNDj7BEOCLFB7eHLk9VC7LYbJ87-ned1oDBZmaQrYaYMFlrpsgcFcJlxxFOe-GWnCwOyjwcTrdn-qfDba2C13qq=w640-h480" width="640" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Made some money, loads of friends and a large, extended camaraderie with the who’s who of the city – from the State Bureaucracy to Retail, friends of friends and with a very large set of colleagues and strangers. Bought my first car, a Hyundai Santro on which I travelled 75,000 kms over 3 years – mostly between TN, Tirupati & KA and a single non-stop drive to Goa. Loads and loads of memories that I can cherish all my life. Regrets, yes many many too. But that shall remain buried within me, always. Best to leave it that way!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I returned to Chennai in 2012 and ever since “settled” in the city which has given me everything though I haven’t settled with my dreams, or rather settled my dreams, professionally, personally and as a publicly obligated person as well. Lots of unfinished things yet. Though in whatever small way possible, I continue to give back what I have – knowledge, guidance, money and of course in my physical capacity as well. Over the past decade, I have taught at at least a dozen B-Schools, run Retail Management as an Elective course for 2<sup>nd</sup>year students and travelled extensively across the State and also pan-India on work and leisure. There’s still a lot more to see, explore and share and I am at it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I wonder what if I had stayed back to please my parent’s wishes in 2004. Wonder how things would have been – something that we can only imagine but can never say with certainty how it would have spanned. But the courage I took on myself, guess I was right.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span> </span></p>Shriram, The Retailerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431705150226677933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258529340016157236.post-84810613703635441402021-12-12T15:27:00.006+05:302021-12-12T20:39:18.306+05:30The day to say “Thank you”<p style="text-align: left;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">This year, I am fortunate to celebrate RED – Retail Employees Day with over 500 front end staff in my team at Specsmakers. What started on 12/12 a decade back in a few retail chains who were part of Retailers Association of India (RAI) has become an annual event now with hundreds of Retailers across the country saluting and celebrating the spirit of lakhs of frontend workforce across thousands of retail stores. The day is an important one in the annual HR-led celebration of every retail company today and in the current times, with the risky environment in which the employees brave to work is stupendous. May their attitudes soar higher and may they achieve greater name and fame in times to come. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0ZjjYRakD7lTr-v6oD9xJuAf3h0_CWQB-GagHL11cr7uoxnkTDEs9PBGazVM4JDHECwVUph-NrhTE8YE-HjeM8wA-iysJPXo_bBmaAK9VcvdMVp0WEB7dP8tntZ3XDVS2A4Kf7ed2tIVGltxtf-fmQQg88Yqi9Lp6R-JYR6B7PqTtOIA-PXwzKZVP=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0ZjjYRakD7lTr-v6oD9xJuAf3h0_CWQB-GagHL11cr7uoxnkTDEs9PBGazVM4JDHECwVUph-NrhTE8YE-HjeM8wA-iysJPXo_bBmaAK9VcvdMVp0WEB7dP8tntZ3XDVS2A4Kf7ed2tIVGltxtf-fmQQg88Yqi9Lp6R-JYR6B7PqTtOIA-PXwzKZVP=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Looking back at myself, I started as a frontend retail staff in an ice-cream parlour as a part time employee way back in 1997 in Chennai. It was the city’s first and the country’s second parlour for US fast food chain “Baskin Robbins” and was located on the way to the Marina Beach, at Mylapore. I studied B.Com (UG) at Vivekananda College, Ramakrishna Mission in the evening from 4pm – 8pm and learnt computer languages at NIIT in the morning from 7am – 9am. During the day from 11am – 3pm, I would scoop ice-cream and desserts and learn the ropes of retailing and customer service. At the end of my computer course which coincided with my third year UG, I decided to continue my focus in the same field that I had been groomed for over 2 years, ending up in a PG in Marketing. Thereafter, my first job was as a Store Manager with RPG Retail’s formats including Musicworld and Foodworld as a Management Trainee. As days and years pass by, I thank everyday my stars, my peers, my former & current bosses and of course, the customers of various businesses that I have been associated with – due to which I remain an eternal student of retail forever. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Early in my career, I chose the tagline “<b><i><u>Retailer by Profession & Choice</u></i></b>”. Over time, this appeared on my resume, my LinkedIn profile and as my introduction at 100s of seminars on Retail that I have been privileged to address to students at B-Schools, employees and entrepreneurs over the past twenty years. And there are two strong reasons for choosing this tagline: One, I wanted to have something similar to how global iconic brands have (or had) – “<b><i>Yeh Dil Maange More</i></b>”, for example. Something, that can be related to me and only me when someone refers about me. Second, back in the new Millennium, Retail was not a preferred job, forget it being considered an Industry. It was widely said that UGs and PGs who didn’t get a proper job in Manufacturing, Banking or IT/ITES industries ended up as an FMCG Salesman or even worse, as a manager or a deputy in a “retail showroom”. Even managerial jobs in Retailing were considered lowly from a socio-economic point of view until around 2010 when the Industry started looking up – thanks to the emergence of Malls, huge network of retail chain stores and the growth of Indian business houses such as The Future Group, Tata Westside and eventually, Reliance Retail in 2008 as well as entry and scaling up of International Retailers and Brands such as Marks & Spencer, Zara, etc. taking wings and soaring high in India across Tier 1/2/3 towns. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwBvWl4kDDaJcCaLwV7xgmcc6mOfPzKwYGd5SpkebGJPbRNKQ2N3mPeqzvUy62TFM4_nB5AV6Rfjvj2IaAeMdGV8tJqaTziRwQZkDvIxEA38fMrQ-wr9PoU4LYcVZ2siriKBEioNl6zeF5CXLX1JvrhMhbC4xdoSiq-xbZ4nzuyJ5z1zPWnBHmA4eR=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwBvWl4kDDaJcCaLwV7xgmcc6mOfPzKwYGd5SpkebGJPbRNKQ2N3mPeqzvUy62TFM4_nB5AV6Rfjvj2IaAeMdGV8tJqaTziRwQZkDvIxEA38fMrQ-wr9PoU4LYcVZ2siriKBEioNl6zeF5CXLX1JvrhMhbC4xdoSiq-xbZ4nzuyJ5z1zPWnBHmA4eR=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Today, a job in retailing is not just a coveted one but fiercely competitive too. For mid-level and senior level roles, the competition is quite high with as many as 4-5 candidates making it all the way to the final, meeting the CEO / Top management to clear the last round. I was quite excited and privileged to be a part of the celebrations at a few stores at Specsmakers today, my current organisation, cheering the staff and being with them. This is a day to <a href="https://retailupdates.news/2021/12/12/red-celebrated-with-fanfare/" target="_blank">thank my compatriots</a> for their service, dedication and hard work, rain or shine. Kudos!</span>Shriram, The Retailerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431705150226677933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258529340016157236.post-44505149770857704042021-12-09T19:16:00.004+05:302021-12-10T07:50:38.298+05:30The race to go Omnichannel<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Earlier this week, I had been to Kanchipuram, around 90kms west of Chennai on store visits to review the team’s performance. While I have been doing these visits for over 15 years now, what I love most about the trips is the local cuisine I love to enjoy. However, being a long and hard working day, I chose to have a quick bite and not the usual fare from the quaint town which is famous for its numerous temples. My colleague and I decided to eat a pizza thinking it would be quick and the restaurant, less crowded. I was wrong on both counts. Most of the 10 tables were crowded. Barring two which had business-attired guests, all others were a family crowd, including kids. On a sunny Tuesday afternoon, I hardly expected such an outing in a Tier 3 town like this one. We profiled the customers and were raving about the economic transformation happening in smaller towns. All this while we were waiting for over 20 mins for our beloved pizzas.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When I first went to the cashier to order and enquired about Combos (or deals), she immediately asked me to order online, for they would have better discounts than in-store. Coming from the cashier herself, I was stunned – and I am guessing this would have been an informal gag ordained by her seniors and managers. Or maybe, not. Perhaps, she was simply helping a customer to get the best deal possible. Giving her a benefit of doubt, I hail her levels of customer service and caring offered to us. To my surprise, the online offer was way better than what we would get “at the counter”. Just that instead of home delivery, I had to click “take-away”. Sans the delivery time, the pizza and add-ons took the same time as otherwise. We spent as much time eating the maida-laced grub as much we spent waiting for them to arrive. As I chewed the vegetables, I was wondering what is it with the recent race to go omni-channel (or Phygital) as many retailers and brands claim to be.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikd9ntWZZSL4unMkUdtVvGLOW54ATiqjcJcGXnCw4xV0HsoQpu_j2qgjXZ6xinEMLmpkum1tQCoPGMwBe75dtpEnFi_IUy_A0TcvjaR1FD0LR9VpFh_pkqkZ1qIFBIhUKN5sFANDVxgsU/s800/D9F7E3EB-8887-460D-BE31-4075DE0CCE16.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="800" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikd9ntWZZSL4unMkUdtVvGLOW54ATiqjcJcGXnCw4xV0HsoQpu_j2qgjXZ6xinEMLmpkum1tQCoPGMwBe75dtpEnFi_IUy_A0TcvjaR1FD0LR9VpFh_pkqkZ1qIFBIhUKN5sFANDVxgsU/w400-h246/D9F7E3EB-8887-460D-BE31-4075DE0CCE16.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Reliance Retail is experimenting with a 30 minute delivery possibility while Big Bazaar has already pioneered a 3 hr door delivery – both for orders placed online. This is in direct competition to Swiggy’s Instamart which promises delivery in less than 60 mins while newbie Zepto is assuring 10 mins delivery for essentials. Only difference being Reliance Fresh and Big Bazaar deliver from their offline retail stores while the e-commerce portals deliver from warehouses or “ghost stores”. Even as the pandemic hit the roof, fashion brands like Levis, Indian Terrain, Ethos watch boutique, Hidesign leatherware and eyewear retail chain Lenskart and many more set forth their e-commerce websites stronger than ever before, giving discerning customers an opportunity to buy clothes and accessories online. As the offline stores started reopening after the first and second wave of the pandemic-enforced lockdown, customers have started coming to the physical stores though the online entities remain as they were and there is a continued thrust and focus by the companies to push the vertical. In fact, many companies had invested heavily in creating online categories to cater to the audience due to FoMo even as their competition was lacing it up. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Meanwhile, Amazon is planning to open hundreds of offline retail stores in the US & the UK across formats such as Fresh, Go and the coveted 4-Star stores which stock merchandise that have atleast 4-star or more reviews and ratings on it’s website and Apps. Back in India, Big Basket has opened it’s first ever physical retail outlet in Bangalore while talks are on that Flipkart will also launch similar experiential stores in India’s tech capital Bangalore. Chinese mobile & electronics brand Xiaomi now has several such stores across India known as “Mi Home” which showcases the company’s innovations and prowess. But one can place orders for these models only online and some only on it’s own digital assets which in turn get delivered to the customers. Samsung & LG meanwhile are converting their offline stores in to display-only formats while delivery happens from a warehouse nearby. Reliance Retail formats Fresh and Digital are pioneering “order offline, delivery at home” model while Croma has already been allowing the reverse - “order online pick at the store!” </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3eTJ4GV5DyylCH6JYjtoKMOS4liMcRnMkon_iEibrv8R03gD-alvaEzoRJlYd3HfOWYbSCd3WIAXaWkdigKXODrrBRpHG9riz1s8gCWllzdBaLCQsNYzdYxlFbLfs3mH3nIfMipkybk/s1280/3DCA0B34-5E20-4543-AAFF-4253625EBED0.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="845" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3eTJ4GV5DyylCH6JYjtoKMOS4liMcRnMkon_iEibrv8R03gD-alvaEzoRJlYd3HfOWYbSCd3WIAXaWkdigKXODrrBRpHG9riz1s8gCWllzdBaLCQsNYzdYxlFbLfs3mH3nIfMipkybk/w264-h400/3DCA0B34-5E20-4543-AAFF-4253625EBED0.jpeg" width="264" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">While on one side it certainly looks logical to have an e-commerce transaction model, the bigger question is do consumers really need it. Before I try to disprove or prove the hypothesis, I also reckon there is no one right answer, atleast for now. Going by the recent BlackFriday to Cyber Monday Thanksgiving Sales in the USA, which is the peak shopping period in the country and China’s Singles Day sales on 11/11 every year – both of which were tepid and beyond a surprise to brands and retailers, it is well established that e-commerce shopping is here to stay for the long term. In India though, things are not so crystal clear. While Amazon’s month long sale in October ahead of Deepavali and Flipkart’s Big Billion Day Sales garnered a lot of interest, it is also combined with wholesale shopping – in other words, shopkeepers buying stuff to resell. The fact that customers are back at Malls and local shopping areas is testimony to the fact that India is really an offline led market. So I wonder why brands and retailers are pushing the envelope to be everything to everyone. The coveted One Size Fits All (OSFA) model simply doesn’t work in India – be it footwear sizes or those for shirts or trousers – and also for business models. What works in the Western World may or simply may not work in our land. And Brands & Retailers must come to terms with this. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">While on one side, precious dollars are being spent on building and maintaining shopping websites (and Apps) for the sake of customers, what companies do not realise is that it also distracts and confuses customers on their current and future purchase pattern. If consumers are used to shopping in a particular way for a while, there is a high chance that habits are formed. As the saying goes, Habits die hard. Once a pattern is established, going back the other way is difficult. Unless companies are sure to continue with the service – e-commerce & omni-channel in this case, it is best not to experiment something which cannot be continued in the long run. In the garb of Omni-channel Retailing, many Brands are taking that extra effort just to appease their Investors, the Board and in many cases, to simply make the business owners happy. Tall ask.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;">While there is no doubt Omni-channel is the way forward, it really is NOT the only way forward. The sooner, we as Retailers & Professionals realise this, is best for our own peace!</span>Shriram, The Retailerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431705150226677933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258529340016157236.post-63305034420865363092021-09-09T19:34:00.002+05:302021-09-09T19:34:26.088+05:30Opening New Stores - a Rewind... <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">When I first joined the retail Industry in 1997, scooping ice-cream as a part-time job for Baskin Robbins in Chennai, little did I imagine I would be bestowed the privilege and opportunity to open hundreds of stores in the future. Not that I aspired to do just this in my formative years, but I was quite clear and sure that the “Great Indian Retail Store” was in the making. And that it would last for decades to come. Looking behind 24 years, I am happy that my views and predictions have remained on course. This blog was started a decade back, as a way to respond to queries from my B-School students as I may not find enough time to share my thoughts during the classes. Over time, this blog has remained an edifice of many of my predictions, which have come true. Even as I inaugurated yet another retail store for the company I work for, I couldn’t gloat my feelings about how positive and committed I remain to the Retail Industry in which I play a minuscule role.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgZYep4dSZrsz3PO5dAd_Eqn_HME5i7u0u-SFXXwWDzbGeDyyPg8N6eOTvwOXKUiVVoNWXSz4Mox-HoS0_QzkDYyBaVFN5HVloo7HQb9vmPC4LRDLHUk8auSxtyhvJjjHmADMJMyOw3c/s2048/79B3EB66-9264-4B17-AC35-5B20451527E3.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgZYep4dSZrsz3PO5dAd_Eqn_HME5i7u0u-SFXXwWDzbGeDyyPg8N6eOTvwOXKUiVVoNWXSz4Mox-HoS0_QzkDYyBaVFN5HVloo7HQb9vmPC4LRDLHUk8auSxtyhvJjjHmADMJMyOw3c/w400-h300/79B3EB66-9264-4B17-AC35-5B20451527E3.heic" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Statistics and numbers about the Industry prospects is one. It is indeed a tedious process and takes hundreds of manhours to get these findings accurately and later, analyse them analytically and correlate with reality. Me, on the other side, have always been a “market-first” guy while indeed relying on stats and data too. I have had the unique advantage of feeling the aura of a location, a neighbourhood or a certain geography. This is an acquired skill coupled with instincts which many of us in RBD – retail business development, are endowed with. It’s certainly not a privilege, rather something we hone our skills on. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">For me, it all began in 2005. Mr. Luciano Benetton was in Bangalore and was undertaking store visits, whom I accompanied with our CEO, Mr. Sanjeev Mohanty. As we ended the day, Sanjeev told me it was Luciano’s wish which he too echoed, to have a store at 100 ft road, Indra Nagar. India’s largest store at that. I was baffled. There was a Limelite Salon, Vivek’s Consumer Durables and 2-3 apparel brands, nothing more. Why would such luminaries in Retail and Fashion want to open a flagship store in a nondescript (that’s how it was back then) locality of the city. But they were right. UCB was the first large store ( a house was brought down and 10,000 sft was built) in the neighborhood, which is today perhaps the most expensive retail location in the Garden City. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Thereafter, I have been in the business expansion roles at Café Coffee Day and Royal Enfield where I set-up 140 cafes and 160 dealerships, respectively across the country. While data was the lead, it was mostly our instincts with which we finalised most locations. Well, there is and will never be a 100% success rate. But the majority of the locations are still rock stars. For Ex., I was responsible for choosing, designing, setting up and operationalising the largest Royal Enfield Dealership and Service Centre in the world at Chennai. It’s been 7 years now and every time, I pass through that location, I feel a sense of pride. The Coffee Day Square at the Terminal 3 at IGI Airport New Delhi is another example. One at Raipur Airport and so on. </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbwLCIBWTUnwqBXHzqj4DePnAyMsb8S3diCGUOx3J_W43fhAuE6t7ghEFw_1aVzuPWdrvizgjwhkheUSPgKjFH83pa4AzCce-3x7qtIdBsflj0qHPZ7jjOoJ5qDRrnJgcGvX558aiP78/s1600/WhatsApp+Image+2021-09-09+at+12.16.31+PM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbwLCIBWTUnwqBXHzqj4DePnAyMsb8S3diCGUOx3J_W43fhAuE6t7ghEFw_1aVzuPWdrvizgjwhkheUSPgKjFH83pa4AzCce-3x7qtIdBsflj0qHPZ7jjOoJ5qDRrnJgcGvX558aiP78/w400-h300/WhatsApp+Image+2021-09-09+at+12.16.31+PM.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The same is the case with the outlet we inaugurated today (9 Sep. ’21) at RT Nagar in Bangalore. This is the third branch within the neighbourhood for Specsmakers, whereas the locality already has about 15 Optical showrooms. Assuming an average 100 pairs a month per store, that’s 1,500 users who buy specs per month, 18,000 pa. With an estimated population of 5 lakh people within a 3 sq. km radius, that’s a sizeable population to believe there is a large market potential. Specific to the store location, the stretch already has 3 optical stores, which means potential customers are already coming regularly. With the Brand promise Specsmakers offers, I am quite sure that we will be able to get our share of the business, which should possibly be incremental to the pie. Obviously, these are back of the head calculations and it’s finally the Customer who decides whether they should conduct business with a store or not, no matter how hard Brands do try.</span></div></span>Shriram, The Retailerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431705150226677933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8258529340016157236.post-66625348146910845382021-08-22T13:02:00.003+05:302021-08-22T14:20:52.473+05:30Happy Birthday Madras - the Retail capital of India<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">I have always argued that one of the reasons why the British traded with our country for a long time was our ethical business practices coupled with abundant natural resources which have been bestowed on our land for centuries. Tracing India's roots to King Ashoka's reign or to the fledgling empires of the Chola Dynasty, trade was a very important aspect of the way India has been governed. While the fabric of the Indian ecosystem, spread across the length and breadth of the sub-continent cannot be taken away, there is a strong link to the very first organised retail establishment which was set-up by the British towards the end of the 19th Century in the erstwhile Madras. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTuyyrCmOVaDhlgYcrDjvpHZNXBgRgnMr1pY6csoiKe8mcBOQEG7UPrN6Enlq-3orrhOrugWD3SAGrwCJjAdoNytzHoWVYUppoq89Wt8T2uo2LH5Fg0R0Hug8jU1h9AWQT3RMiZ8iPCk/s351/Spencers+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="231" data-original-width="351" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTuyyrCmOVaDhlgYcrDjvpHZNXBgRgnMr1pY6csoiKe8mcBOQEG7UPrN6Enlq-3orrhOrugWD3SAGrwCJjAdoNytzHoWVYUppoq89Wt8T2uo2LH5Fg0R0Hug8jU1h9AWQT3RMiZ8iPCk/w400-h264/Spencers+01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">The Spencer’s Store and Higginbothams Bookstore, which are still edifices on the city’s famed Mount Road are over a century old. The current structure of the book store, once eponymous with everything books and which boasted customers such as Clement Atlee, former British PM, Shri C. Rajagopalachari, the former Maharaja of Mysore among others, was rebuilt to suit the needs of a sprawling bookstore in 1904. Mr. Abel Joshua Higginbotham arrived first in the city in the early 1840s. Over time, he purchased the Weslyan Book Shop run by Protestant Missionaries in Madras and renamed it with his own. He was the Sheriff of Madras in 1888 and 1889. After his death in 1891, his son, CH Higginbotham ran the company from the turn of the century until 1925 when John Oakeshott Robinson purchased the company and ran it until India’s independence. Subsequently, it was acquired by the Amalgamations Group and is managed by them, till date. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Spencer’s as we all know, was set-up in the city in 1863 by Mr. John William Spencer. In 1895, the then largest Department store in the continent with 80 departments was constructed and inaugurated to the use of public, mostly the British. The store had a large number of imported items which came in Ships from Britain and all over the world for the comfort and use of the Brits living in the Madras region, one of the largest and most important bases of the Queen’s Establishment. Over time, the company changed hands many times until it was acquired by ace Indian businessman RP Goenka in the 1980s. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">India’s first FDI in Retail was by the RPG Group with Dairy Farm International, Hong Kong in the mid-90s which lasted for a decade and a half. The first “Foodworld” store was set-up at RA Puram in Chennai where I was a Store Manager early in my career from 2002-2004. After the JV ended, the RPG Group (now RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group) renamed it as Spencers. The place where the first Department Store in India was established in the 19<sup>th</sup> Century now houses the eponymous Spencers Plaza, which was rebuilt after a major fire in the 1980s. I have vivid memories of visiting the older plaza where a number of films have been shot at.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZ0lBY5uLpfH-58hu0rYh2e8ycpEK7KkxiYQ900QBfxAnEMpF_nx5PVkAKO5M5iCYo1L2jqnEzCPyIGuDIYwnq-hpeILW-ssXF6brxMORp_MUCM71Q6i_vasuF83-SFqHDrqrpd2dV4U/s830/BB371708-E249-4492-9C04-9DD39117B074.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pic Courtesy: Viveks.com" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="830" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZ0lBY5uLpfH-58hu0rYh2e8ycpEK7KkxiYQ900QBfxAnEMpF_nx5PVkAKO5M5iCYo1L2jqnEzCPyIGuDIYwnq-hpeILW-ssXF6brxMORp_MUCM71Q6i_vasuF83-SFqHDrqrpd2dV4U/w400-h289/BB371708-E249-4492-9C04-9DD39117B074.jpeg" title="Pic Courtesy: Viveks.com" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pic Courtesy: Viveks.com</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">The city has many notable brands which are now popular not just in India but across the world, be it retail chains or FMCG Brands. Viveks & Co., one of the pioneers of Consumer Durables retailing, was set-up in the year 1965 at Mylapore, Madras. Giri Trading, a retail chain which specialises in selling Hindu spiritual & puja related products has an established presence in the US, the UK, Europe, Middle East, South East Asia and Australia. Ambika Appalams, a favourite snack food brand which has now grown to become a neighbourhood retail chain has fans and followers all over the world and exports their goods to over 50 countries worldwide. Butterfly Home appliances, a pioneer in kitchen related items and TTK Prestige, have a pan-India presence today with huge levels of customer interest online and offline. New age apparel brands like Basics Life and Indian Terrain have gained international acceptance of their designs and styles and have been well appreciated by western counterparts. On the food front, Hotel Saravana Bhavan was a must visit for those visiting the town, now replaced by Sangeethas and Adyar Anandha Bhavan. And on the entertainment front, Sathyam Cinemas was the first regional stand-alone multiplex chain to expand across the country. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">There are numerous examples of Retail glory that my Madras boasts of and I shall remain eternally grateful to the city which has given me an identity and beyond. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">HBD Madras. <o:p></o:p></p><br />Shriram, The Retailerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16431705150226677933noreply@blogger.com