<p>Despite the rapid growth of chain stores in the City, the simple general stores are still quite popular. Though there is a considerable difference in the rates of items sold in both places, people opt for either depending on the time they have. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The youth of today is conscious about where it spends its money. Namitha Gopal, a writer, feels that the items available at a store like Health & Glow are of a much better quality. “They have more variety compared to a normal ladies’ store and their items are unique,” says Namitha. She agrees that a hair clip might cost just Rs 20 at a ladies’ store and around Rs 50 or more at chain store. But she would rather pay a few extra bucks for something which lasts longer.<br /><br />There are others who find shopping at chain stores more convenient. “I usually never go shopping just for accessories. I might be shopping for toiletries and other products when a bracelet catches my eye. Thus it’s like a one-stop shop for everything,” lists out Merin M, an associate consultant. Merin adds that though she is not a brand-conscious person, she doesn’t have a problem paying a bit more for convenience.<br /><br />Others, like Akanksha S, feel that the joy of going to a bangle or ladies’ store is unmatched. They also enjoy pulling out different things and selecting a handful. “I love going to bangle stores and ladies’ stores as one can always find different options and get more colour-specific items,” shares Akanksha. She feels that this way, she can also spend quality time with her friends. “Also, when you are buying things from a small store in bulk, you can bargain and get a good deal,” she says. <br /><br />Ankitha, an undergraduate student of Maharani Lakshmi Ammanni College for Women, prefers going to branded stores for beauty and other wellness products. “But when it comes to fashion, I would happily mix accessories costing Rs 10 onwards with any costume. It’s all about being trendy at the end of the day,” says Ankitha.<br /><br />Shopkeepers believe that chain stores haven’t affected their business. Mustafa, a bangle shop owner in Shivajinagar, says that since he sources items which are in trend at his store, he always has regular customers. “Also, we provide matching colours for a specific outfit. Not every store has that,” says Mustafa.<br /><br />Gopalan Mukundan, who owns a ladies’ store on Avenue Road, says that local shops always get their share of business. “People would rather buy things from a place close by unless they have a big shopping list and plan to shop extensively <br />in some other area,” he <br />wraps up.<br /></p>
<p>Despite the rapid growth of chain stores in the City, the simple general stores are still quite popular. Though there is a considerable difference in the rates of items sold in both places, people opt for either depending on the time they have. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The youth of today is conscious about where it spends its money. Namitha Gopal, a writer, feels that the items available at a store like Health & Glow are of a much better quality. “They have more variety compared to a normal ladies’ store and their items are unique,” says Namitha. She agrees that a hair clip might cost just Rs 20 at a ladies’ store and around Rs 50 or more at chain store. But she would rather pay a few extra bucks for something which lasts longer.<br /><br />There are others who find shopping at chain stores more convenient. “I usually never go shopping just for accessories. I might be shopping for toiletries and other products when a bracelet catches my eye. Thus it’s like a one-stop shop for everything,” lists out Merin M, an associate consultant. Merin adds that though she is not a brand-conscious person, she doesn’t have a problem paying a bit more for convenience.<br /><br />Others, like Akanksha S, feel that the joy of going to a bangle or ladies’ store is unmatched. They also enjoy pulling out different things and selecting a handful. “I love going to bangle stores and ladies’ stores as one can always find different options and get more colour-specific items,” shares Akanksha. She feels that this way, she can also spend quality time with her friends. “Also, when you are buying things from a small store in bulk, you can bargain and get a good deal,” she says. <br /><br />Ankitha, an undergraduate student of Maharani Lakshmi Ammanni College for Women, prefers going to branded stores for beauty and other wellness products. “But when it comes to fashion, I would happily mix accessories costing Rs 10 onwards with any costume. It’s all about being trendy at the end of the day,” says Ankitha.<br /><br />Shopkeepers believe that chain stores haven’t affected their business. Mustafa, a bangle shop owner in Shivajinagar, says that since he sources items which are in trend at his store, he always has regular customers. “Also, we provide matching colours for a specific outfit. Not every store has that,” says Mustafa.<br /><br />Gopalan Mukundan, who owns a ladies’ store on Avenue Road, says that local shops always get their share of business. “People would rather buy things from a place close by unless they have a big shopping list and plan to shop extensively <br />in some other area,” he <br />wraps up.<br /></p>
