Bengaluru, May 12 (IANS) Six new Central malls will be opened across the country, with an aim to clock a business of Rs.3,000 crore under Central brand alone by March 2017, Future Group group CEO Kishore Biyani said on Thursday.
"We plan to set up six more Central malls to take the total count to 38 in 22 cities by March 2017. We are looking at a huge business plan of Rs.3,000 crore," said Biyani presenting the renovated Bangalore Central, which started the Central brand journey for the group in 2004.
He said Indian retail is going through a lot of change and unless a good experience is given to a consumer, one cannot compete in the new world.
Biyani said Future Group has spent Rs.7,000-8,000 per square foot in renovating the Bangalore Central mall which turned out be the group's most expensive mall thus far, with similar renovation plans for select Central malls.
Among the upcoming malls, Aerocity in Delhi will house a very large Central Mall.
WhatsApp shopping, By Appointment and Reserved are some of the new unique offerings aimed at Central shoppers, said Biyani.
"Under WhatApp shopping, a customer can send the photograph of a product he wishes to buy, which can be delivered at home. And also get other options," he said.
Aiming to cater to impulsive shoppers, Reserved will enable a customer to hold a product he liked from being sold away to others for 48 hours, during which time he can make up his mind.
And in By Appointment service, a customer can book the appointment of stylists to revamp his wardrobe.
Other new initiatives include extending private space through Mother's room for taking care of a baby, expert beauty sessions through Make - up school and others.
Central brand CEO Vishnu Prasad said a lot of community events will also be held at the malls to deepen engagement with customers. To start with, programmes based on Kannada culture are slated to be performed on Friday.
Located in leading Indian cities, Central malls retail domestic and international brand across a broad range of garment categories, along with home products, food courts, electronics and others.
