Karnataka - Bangalore

Reporter's Diary

Of malls and discounts

WHEN THERE are so many malls coming up all around, the merchandising exercise demands "sales" periodically. To reduce inventory and dispose of last season's styles before the latest can be displayed and sold.

For both garment manufacturers and the shops in the malls, it may mean cutting down on their margins. For customers, it truly is a happy occasion. Getting 30 to 50 per cent off on what could still be stylish for some months to come is not to be laughed at. And the malls are all out to convince customers that the discounts are genuine; most come with the original MRP tags. Some years ago, such sales meant scrambling for parking space, and parking perhaps a kilometre away and then walking back weighed down with shopping bags. Now every mall worth its name has parking space in plenty.

Lifting spirits

Taking people to higher planes is, of course, the duty of the lift. But in the process of executing this onerous task, lifts sometimes falter. Now, getting caught inside a lift is not an experience to look forward to. And if you happen to be the claustrophobic type, then God save your stability.

People used to once shudder walking into a lift, particularly the ones which had closed doors. The prospect of being closed inside four white walls often sent a chill down their spines. They would instead choose the safe staircase.

It was, needless to say, a healthy practise. But the brave ones still walked into the lifts, pressed the buttons of their choice, and presto, they were in a different floor.

Then there is the question of speed. You have lifts that would rocket you up five to 10 floors in a jiffy. But then, there are those that would test your patience. In the name of safety, these lifts will take their own time closing the door, going up and opening the door. This might make you wonder why you did not choose the faster staircase alternative.

Rasheed Kappan

K. Satyamurty, Rasheed Kappan

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