AMRITSAR: Mall culture, which was earlier a feature of metro cities, is slowly spreading to smaller cities. Keeping up the spirit, Amritsar gets a new mall, Alpha One, which is spread over one million square feet and offers international, national and regional clothing and lifestyle brands.
“With nearly 170 stores, we are offering the biggest brands from around the world of the people of the holy city and are confident of creating a bench mark in retail industry. The mall is already 90 per cent leased out and we offer the largest food court in Punjab which is spread over nearly 30;000 square feet,” said S. K. Sayal, Director and CEO of Alpha G. Corp.
The main attraction at the mall is the new Hypercity supermarket, which is the first of its kind in north India. ‘Hyper city is the biggest super market in the city offering a variety of products including everything from grocery items, clothes to footwear and not to miss furnishings and furniture.
“After south India, we decided to come to Punjab, since people here have the income and propensity to spend money. Besides, the tourist population in the city will be an added advantage. Within the next 36 months, we will come up with similar stores in Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Chandigarh as well,” said B. S. Nagesh, Vice Chairman, Hypercity Retail.
Also, the popular fashion and lifestyle brand of India, Shoppers Stop, launched its first store at the mall. With this store, Shoppers Stop his forayed into Punjab. The store offers more than; l0 brands under one roof.
“The mall will change the shopping experience of Amritsar forever,” said Govind Shri khande, President and CEO, Shoppers Stop Ltd.
When in Amritsar, it is impossible to skip the gastronome call. The mall has a large food court, which offers a whole array of delicacies including authentic Amritsari food, Chinese, kebabs and street food.
Another attraction for the people in the mall would be the opening of the multiplex chain Fun Cinemas. Set to open on
March 13, it’s a five screen multiplex including a family entertainment zone.
The architecture of the mall has been designed on the lines of the famous Hall Bazaar of the city, claim the authorities.
But will the mall prove a threat to Hall Bazaar? “The bazaar can be replicated, but it will lack the spirit. It is one of the oldest in the city and shopkeepers share a special’ relation with customers that cannot be paralleled,” says Vijay Nayyar, Secretary of Hall Bazar Traders Association.
SOURCE-HT
