" May 9th 1996". Ultimately History will be the judge; but I genuinely believe that this date marked the formal launch of "organised" retailing in India. The date and the details are etched in my memory as if it happened yesterday rather than almost 13 years ago. ......... The mad dash to the home at 3.30 in the morning from the store to change into a "Dhothi" for the puja starting at 
4.30......... The anxious wait for the crowds........ The arrival of Shrimati M S Subbulakshmi and the almost magical two hours she spent at the store..... The sales that day... 3 odd lacs..... The press frenzy and the mad mad crowds in the evening...... The furious cops helplessly watching the worst traffic jam in Alwarpet’s history..... All those make memories, which will remain for a long long time.
4.30......... The anxious wait for the crowds........ The arrival of Shrimati M S Subbulakshmi and the almost magical two hours she spent at the store..... The sales that day... 3 odd lacs..... The press frenzy and the mad mad crowds in the evening...... The furious cops helplessly watching the worst traffic jam in Alwarpet’s history..... All those make memories, which will remain for a long long time.I have been involved with over 1200 store openings post that day but the magic of 9th May 1996 will always be the freshest, most endearing and precious in my mind!
Raghu Pillai
0 comments:
Post a Comment