TNI Bureau: Time has gone when Bhubaneswar was known as the “City of Temples”. Now it has been turned into the “City of Constructions” and boasts of shopping malls attracting outsiders. Bhubaneswar has become one of the leading business centres in the country with over one lakh migrants. The custom and traditions have changed in the course of time and mixed culture is being been seen in the city like the Metros.
The planned city has witnessed development in every sector right from small scale industries to p
harmacy, IT and education, which have brought a great change in people’s attitude and behaviours. With the change of mind set, people’s buying habits have also been changed. Now the capital people used to prefer to visit the shopping malls instead of old, isolated and dim lighted shopping centres located at various places. The migrants know the Big Bazaar, but they might not be knowing the local markets located in Unit I and IV.
With the increased demand for the exclusive high class shops, the industrialists of other states have expanded their business empire in Bhubaneswar. Gone are the days when people preferred to go to the local market with a cotton bag to bring vegetables, grocery products and garments. Now, the era has changed and people of 21st century prefer to shop in Air-Conditioned hygienic places. They want computerized bill, not the hand written note.
All the above requirements of customers have been fulfilled by the top retailers and we find number of shopping malls in the city.
5 Big Shopping Malls in the City:
1. Big Bazaar:
Big Bazaar is a chain of supermarket in India. There are 214 stores across 90 cities including Bhubaneswar. The shopping mall offers a wide range of merchandise including fashion and apparels, food products, general merchandise, furniture, electronics, books, fast food and leisure and entertainment sections.
It is the first shopping mall in the state, which became operational in Bhubaneswar in 2004. Big Bazaar is the largest shopping mall in the city and is part of the Future Group of Companies. It is located at the heart of the city at Unit III in Kharvel Nagar and other branch has been opened near KIIT square in Patia. The mall has been offering discounts on every product to the customers. It has come up a new logo with a new tag line: ‘Naye India Ka Bazaar’, replacing the earlier one: ‘Isse Sasta Aur Accha Kahin Nahin’.
Support Independent Journalism? Keep us live.
2. The World:
It is a complete family shopping mall spread over a 25,000 sq ft are and is situated at the heart of Bhubaneswar near Kalinga Stadium on the Airport-Infocity Road. It has come up with the same objective. Display of garments and stuffs with discounted price has been successful to attract the customers in Odisha. People get the feeling of moving in heaven when they travel with trolleys with fragrance of cookies and chocolates.
3. Pantaloon:
Like Big Bazaar, Pantaloon Retail (India) Limited is also a part of the Future Group. It offers varieties of products under various brands. It has over 1,000 stores across 71 cities including Bhubaneswar in India and employs over 30,000 people. In Bhubaneswar, the mall is situated near Rama Devi College at Sahid Nagar.
4. BMC Keshari Mall:
The Keshari Mall is a part of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) situated at Unit II near Western Market Building in the state capital. The air-conditioned mall features a number of brands allotting shops in the vending zone. It was inaugurated on September 3, 2010.
5. Vishal Mega Mart:
Vishal Mega Mart is one of the leading Departmental stores in the state capital. It caters to almost all price ranges. It offers over 70,000 products at reasonable prices. During festive seasons, the mall offers discount on maximum products. The mall is located on the NH5 between Jayadev Bihar and CRP square in Nayapalli. Another branch is situated at Unit II in the Market Building.