One fine day... : The Tribune India

Join Whatsapp Channel

One fine day...

If you’ve ever queued up a mile before officially pressing for a parking ticket at Elante, (the parking woes come later), this one’s for you.

One fine day...


Manpriya Singh 

If you’ve ever queued up a mile before officially pressing for a parking ticket at Elante, (the parking woes come later), this one’s for you. And wondered how many other people are knowingly willing to rub shoulders with serious shoppers, daters, movie buffs, family guys and those who love to click a selfie or two. 

If crowd equals popularity, Elante Mall pulls the stops in Tricity. Let’s not talk about weekends, because those two days it’s literally at par with the Sukhna Lake, Rock Garden and several other sight-seeing spots that Chandigarh has to offer.    Or, actually let’s take a round of it, starting with how many parking tickets are being issued. “As many as 6,000 to 6,500 parking tickets are issued daily during weekends,” share the officials. 

That explains the long valet queues and mad rush in scouting for ‘parking spot’ once they’ve checked the boot. As for the weekdays, expect to cut the chase by half. “And the number of parking tickets issued on weekdays are roughly between 3,000 to 3,500.” 

Once inside…

It gets madder. Of course there are days, it’s even worst. Flash mobs, product launches and live performances. It’s impossible to count heads but the figure did cross your mind right? Just how many people are they accommodating on a daily basis? Well, it’s more than half a lakh! “The average footfall on weekdays is from 32,000 to 35,000 while during weekends this figure easily jumps to something between 54,000 and 60,000,” once again share the Elante officials. Perhaps, now you wouldn’t all that mind that shoulder-rub or unintended nudge!  

By the way, we yet have not factored in, national holidays, sale season and major festivals.   

Billing counters, trial rooms and beyond  

It’s hard to overlook the crowd; comprising women who love to play dress up and the rest fear about bumping into someone or the other they know. Let’s assume (no harm right), you want to pick up a pizza, a pair of shoes, a lipstick, a toy, a top and a pair of jeans. Starting with Zara. Don’t get mad if even out of a staff of 35 plus at Zara, they take a while in addressing your concern. Chances are that they are looking after two floors which sell on an average 3,500 to 4,000 garments. That’s all the sales staff will share, off the record. 

Next time, be a little patient with the queues outside try rooms and billing counters. Talking of bills, at Levi’s they cut 50 to 60 sales figure on a daily basis. “Of the total number of bills, at least 60 per cent are denims,” shares Yuvraj Kumar, the assistant manager at Levi’s store. 

One always thought shoes were forever more in demand compared to jeans. But looks like they are on the same pedestal. At Aldo only 50 60 pairs are going off the shelves, or so claims the store staff, withholding their name for administrative purposes. 

What next? What’s more important? A lipstick or a shoe? Seems, once again they are equals. “We sell around 30 to 40 plus lipsticks on an average,” reveals Mohit Bhatti, ready to help with any query you might have pertaining make-up or its application at MAC. 

So much for retail therapy. It’s time to move on the upper floors. As if zeroing in on one good toy at Hamleys wasn’t enough task! Chances are it will be gone on your next visit. “We sell approximately 400 to 500 toys on any given day,” divulges Arvind Anot, the assistant manager. 

And who has the final word on the sales made, parents or children? He adds, “Oh, both are equally instrumental. Children do like to pick up things they want all by themselves.” There is something for everyone. Only if you are willing to overlook all that a crowd entails; the noise, the queues, the shared infrastructure. Only next time a little more patiently.  

[email protected] 

Top News

Delhi High Court dismisses PIL to remove Arvind Kejriwal from CM post after arrest

Delhi High Court dismisses PIL to remove Arvind Kejriwal from CM post after arrest

The bench refuses to comment on merits of the issue, saying ...

US makes another remark on Kejriwal's arrest, reacts to freezing of Congress bank accounts

US makes another remark on Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, reacts to freezing of Congress bank accounts

We encourage fair, transparent and timely legal processes, s...

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, wife Gurpreet Kaur welcome baby girl

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann blessed with baby girl

Bhagwant Mann tied the knot with Dr Gurpreet Kaur from Pehow...


Cities

View All