Malls ready to open but recession makes shop-owners wary

As mall culture sweeps across the region with two giant specimens-Shalimar and The Bella Vista-to be thrown open to the general public soon...

As mall culture sweeps across the region with two giant specimens Shalimar and The Bella Vista to be thrown open to the general public soon,shop-owners are making frenzied preparations to woo residents. But the global recession seems to have dampened their enthusiasm.

Although we have been given possession of the shops by the mall authorities,starting the store is not a viable option till the multiplex opens that is a surefire magnet to attract the public,” said Suraj,owner of Trenz,a chain selling artificial jewellery,in the Shalimar mall.

Talking to Newsline,Managing Director of Shalimar mall,M K Aggarwal,said: “Efforts are on to start the multiplex in the mall at the earliest. At present,the multiplex officials are busy with others projects elsewhere in the country.”

Senior Marketing Executive of The Bella Vista,Chetan Sood,said: Though around 20 brands have been finalised,which have started sprucing up their stores for launch,the recession has led to a definite slowing down of the entire process. Of the 64 shops at this mall,we are yet to find takers for around 10 shops.

Sood added that the opening of the mall may be postponed to April or May this year.

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