The bustling streets that have been Pune’s shopping
destinations since decades wear an increasingly deserted look; and it’s not
just the blazing sun, traffic or dearth of parking spaces that have driven
shoppers away. They’ve been drawn rather to the heady mix of ease, variety and
convenience proffered by the vast air-conditioned spaces of Pune’s shopping malls.
And why not? There’s enough here to satiate the senses of
the most ADHD afflicted. Brands representing the best of global, desi and
everything in between draw trend setters and fashion followers with equal
fervor. A cornucopia of gastronomic delight tempts all and sundry with
delectable wares ranging from cheesy European to spice-laden Indian. And for
those who prefer to watch from the sidelines, there’s just as much to enjoy. An
event calendar to rival the most active socialite’s diary offers entertainment
as diverse, food-fiesta, fashion-show and weekend – events—and this is just one
typical week at the Nitesh HUB, in Koregaon Park.
Malls in the city are evolving far beyond the shopping centers
they once were and Nitesh HUB is in the vanguard this transformation. It is now
one-stop-shop for just about anything anyone could crave in the nature of food,
clothing and entertainment. This is the venue of choice for just about every
occasion—children clamour to celebrate birthdays here, drawn by the varied
permutations and combinations of food and fun on offer; adults go ga-ga on the
discount shopping and first arrival bonanzas; and even senior citizens have
been known to sit back and reminisce about chai on the katta while sipping
their grand-lattes—without the slightest trace of irony.
With so many new malls springing across the city, one might
be tempted to dismiss the plethora with a seen-one-seen-em-all wave; nothing
could be further from the truth. Every mall has its own personality—created by
the particular mix of brands it houses, the events it hosts, its interiors and,
of course, the audience it draws. While one mega mall might strive to become
the be-all for bargain hunters and economy-minded citizens, another may
enthrall with the opulence of the wares it offers, while yet another may stake
claim to being the venue for any and every event.
Only rarely does one mall bring all these disparate elements
into seamless union to create an address that excites the young and
not-so-young alike, draw fashionistas and fashion followers with equal ease and
hold its audience spellbound by the combined charms of its artful interiors and
ease of access. Nitesh HUB, with its premium location in the heart of Koregaon
Park, expansive layout, and unique mix of stores and eateries, is proving to be
all this and more.
Behind the fun and games it’s business as usual—and what a
great business it’s proving to be. Driven by the changing lifestyle
aspirations, higher disposable incomes and increasing footfall, business owners
are beginning to appreciate the big difference an outlet in the right mall can
make. And with yields in real-estate, particularly shopping
malls, beating other segments, there’s little doubt that Pune’s shopping malls are definitely the place to
be—whether business owner or value-conscious customer.
