Union Knopf (India)

ClusterUPDATE
G uwahati
Fastest growing city
in the North East
The gateway to the North-
East and the largest
cosmopolitan city in the
Region, Guwahati is growing
at a very fast pace. Anybody visiting the
North-Eastern region of the country
makes their first stop at the ancient city.
North east is mainly known for its rich
culture and tribal inspirations. But
Guwahati is different. You can
experience a generous amount of local
flavors that linger alongside its
suburban extend of ponds, palm trees,
small single storey traditional houses
and old colonial era mansions. The city
not only indulges you in traditional
affluence but it has some decent
shopping options for the ones on a
shopping spree. The city has a few
multi-brand malls and shopping centers
that house small and high-end brands.
Though the shopping malls here are not
yet in par with their counterparts in
other metros, still it’s a start in the right
direction.
According to an economic survey
presented in the Lok sabha for the year
2014-15, Assam has been placed among
the states with higher growth rate over
the previous year. Even in the Northeast,
the increasing trend of brand
consciousness has led the progression of
brands to the city. Growth in income
and a rise in purchasing power in urban
areas of the north east, like Guwahati is
pulling the consumers towards premium
and branded products. Guwahati being
the gateway to the north east has
advantage of flocking tourists that add
the growth in its market. People from
other states of the North east visit
Guwahati for various purposes such as
traveling, sightseeing, official works and
shopping for premium brands. Louis
Philippe, a menswear brand had opened
its store in the city a few years back for
test- marketing its range in the north
east and they were quite pleased with
the results. The city houses some of the
best brands and retail chains in the
country such as Vero Moda, Calvin
Klein, French Connection, Adidas,
Pantaloons, Reliance Trends and Future
Group’s Big Bazaar. The elite of other
north-eastern states can shop for
luxurious goods here at Guwahati now
as they have to go all the way to Kolkata
for their extravagant indulgences
previously.
With the opening of fashion Retail
chains like Pantaloons, people in
Guwahati have access to all the in house
brands such as , John Miller, Lombard,
Indigo Nation, Urbana, Scullers, RIG,
UMM, BARE Denim, BARE Leisure, JM
Sport, Ajile, Jealous, Annabelle, Honey,
Akkriti, Chalk, BARE 7214 etc, thus
quenching the ever-increasing thirst for
Brands.
The best place to find these brand
outlets and malls are G.S road. Short for
Guwahati-Shillong Road, G.S. Road
runs through the length of Guwahati and
is a hub for shoppers. G.S. Road is home
to numerous showrooms and brand
outlets. Guwahati has seen an
extraordinary commercial pattern shift
from the 2000s and G.S. Road has
witnessed it all. Clothing, footwear,
accessories, home decor, electronics -
name it and you have it here across
national and international brands.
28
January 2017
APPAREL&Fashion