Plazas - a shopper's paradise

IT IS celebration time again at the Spencer Plaza and Globus two shopping centres that are in the race for ``landmark'' status. Though for different reasons, the celebration spells variety for the shoppers.

The expansion plans unveiled by the shopping malls goes with the ``shopping paradise'' image that the city would like to have.

The Spencer Plaza is projecting itself as an ``MNC destination'' when it comes to opening shops. A majority of the second phase of the complex has been occupied by leading names in the respective fields such as the American Express Bank and Officetiger Database Systems of the U.S. On the retail front, the Pantaloon showroom is the largest anywhere and its ambience and class are only matched by another indigenous giant, Westside.

While only a quarter of the total space for setting up offices and business establishments remain vacant, booking has picked up for space in the third phase that is coming up.

From the customers point of view, the second phase of Spencer Plaza is quite different from the first, especially for those who believe in shopping without any hassles and crowds.

Compared to the first phase, the new complex is spacious and seems to invite only those really interested. Moreover, several of the customers find the staff at the business establishments in the second phase more courteous in their behaviour.

The third phase, according to Mr. M. Balasubramanian, Director, Mangal Tirth Estate, the promoters of Spencer Plaza, will be a mix of retail space-cum-leisure-cum-entertainment. As a beginning, the company had already launched `Wild West' which essentially is a pool room doubling as a recreation centre.

If Spencer Plaza expands, what about Globus? Situated in T. Nagar, the mega store is aiming to carve out a niche for itself in the retailing business.

Based on customer response, Globus recently launched a range of home furnishing. In the section, are found a melange of items ranging from handloom cotton spreads, covers and dhurries to jute, brass and wooden articles. Some lamp holders and candle stands also vie for attention, with flower vases and scented candles.

Says Mr. Ved Prakash Arya, CEO of Globus, all the products have been carefully selected from all over the country keeping in mind the taste, colour, lifestyle of the Chennaiite. What next? Lots of sarees that are new to the South and additions to the kids- wear segment. The rest is a secret.

While the complexes may be impressive, shoppers often have to contend with problems like travel and parking.

Why not run courtesy coaches to and from Spencer Plaza and other such centres connecting central points in the city, which will bring in more shoppers and reduce traffic pressure at the same time?

By N. Ravi Kumar

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