Thursday, February 18, 2010

Indian shop

As the many faces of the Indian shop are revealed, one discovers a little more about the economics of trade as well as the social and cultural values of the Indian society. In previous blogposts, I have shared observations on the Fruit and Vegetable market, the Marketplace, the Fish market, the Street bazaar, the Informal sector, the Bakery and the Canal bazaar. This blog also includes notes on shopping environments such as the Weekly market, the Flower market, a Spice bazaar, the Tibetan Bazaar in Kerala and the Mall.

What is the difference between Lad Bazaar in Hyderabad and the Forum Mall in Bangalore? What are the exchange systems or price mechanisms of antique shops in Chor Bazaar in Mumbai that can be compared to the Malaysian Imported Furniture showrooms in Chennai? Is there more competition among sellers in Palika Bazaar in Delhi, than in a Satellite road mall in Ahmedabad?

Will the modern Big Bazaar's “Bargain offers” entice indians enough to forego their ritual of bargaining in a street bazaar? What does the experience of shopping in Manek chowk in Ahmedabad mean to a gujarati family? Why does Connaught Place in Delhi have popular eateries that cater to young indians with western tastes? Why does Ashram road in Ahmedabad have a blend of old and new as it hosts a Pizza outlet at one road junction and makes equally good business with the small bhel-puri stalls that dot the footpath?

No comments: