With more than 10 per cent of the fire still being on in Kolkata’s unorganised retail market in Burrabazar, the city, at the same time, is preparing for a big leap in the organised sector with the South City Mall opening, and More preparing to open its first store in the city by next month.
South City Mall, assumed to be the largest mall in eastern India, opened here on Tuesday. Confirming the news to Indiaretailing, a company spokesperson said, “South City Mall will be spread over an area of one million square feet and will have 134 retail outlets spread over five levels.”
The mall, which is a part of the 31.14-acre South City, with residential towers, a school and a state-of-the-art club, will have six anchor stores that include Shoppers’ Stop, Pantaloons, Kolkata’s first six-screen multiplex Fame Cinemas, Timezone, and Spencer’s Hypermarket.
RS Agarwal, chairman, South City Projects, in a statement said that the mall will create more than 10,000 employment opportunities. He said, “It also symbolises our global aspirations and showcases the potential for growth in Kolkata.”
Besides, Kumar Mangalam Birla’s pan-India retail chain More is planning to enter the city by next month by opening at least three of its retail stores in the state. “One of them would be located in Dum Dum,” said an industry insider.
– Satrajit Sen
