Indian Retailing Industry Takes a Quantum Leap

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India , 2006-05-12

The retail industry in India took a quantum leap with the launch of HyperCITY, India’s first ‘true’ hypermarket in the popular retail corridor at Malad West in Mumbai. Promoted by the K. Raheja Corp. Group, a leader in the Indian retail sector and one of the pioneers in setting up large format department stores, HyperCITY is spread over more than 1,20,000 square feet and is billed as India’s largest and first, ‘true’ hypermarket.

Speaking with media persons shortly after a special tour organized for the media, Mr. Andrew Levermore, CEO, HyperCITY Retail (India) Pvt. Ltd. said, “We are delighted to have launched this pioneering retailing format in India and if the phenomenal response of customers since our launch is anything to go by, we are quite optimistic that HyperCITY will prove popular amongst shoppers. HyperCITY’s compelling proposition is a distinctive and dominant assortment of products at great value. HyperCITY provides customers a truly international shopping experience, where customers can shop in comfort in a large, modern, and exciting environment”. Ever since its launch, HyperCITY has had an overwhelming response in terms of footfalls with over 50,000 customers visiting the store during the weekend alone.

Commenting on the launch of this new retail format in India, Mr. BS Nagesh, Vice Chairman, HyperCITY Retail (India) Pvt. Ltd. said, “Consumers today place a great deal of emphasis on the ‘quality of life’ and expenditure on aspiration driven goods and services has grown significantly. Besides, shopping has evolved from a need-based activity to a leisure-time entertainment. We have a long history of pioneering ideas and concepts in retailing in India. The launch of HyperCITY is a pioneering step towards the globalization of the country’s retail sector and marks yet another milestone in our endeavour to bring innovative retail formats for Indian consumers who now demand the same choice and ambience as discerning audiences do around the world. With the launch of this new retail format in India, the Group is poised to tap the vast potential of the Indian retail market”.

At HyperCITY, customers can finally shop the way the world does. Customers have an opportunity to ‘discover’ something new and exciting every time they walk into the store. The wide and contemporary range of innovative products sourced from both local and international markets include Fresh Produce, Food & Grocery, Homeware, Home Entertainment, Hi-Tech, Appliances, Furniture, Sports, Toys, & Clothing, Accessories and Footwear.

The retail environment, the store atmospherics and the store planning have all been anchored around the brand promise of ‘there is more to Discover’. HyperCITY has chosen the best-in-class partners and relied upon the expertise of partners who are acclaimed in the global retail arena and who work with giant retail chains of the world. HyperCITY has partnered with JHP of London, for in-store design, JDA for Merchandise planning, Bax Global for logistics and supply chain management and with Johnson Diversey to improve customer shopping experience across key interaction points like food safety , sanitation and the like. Similarly, it has an exclusive supply agreement with Waitrose–the food shops of John Lewis Partnership–which has been voted as the top supermarket chain in UK. In India, Waitrose products will be offered exclusively by HyperCITY. Besides providing products from a global food retailer of the caliber of Waitrose, tie-ups like this will have a significant positive effect in upgrading and modernizing India’s food chain. HyperCITY in its pursuit to expand will set up 2 more stores over the next twelve months.

HyperCITY has also launched a host of private label store brands in categories like Food, Home, Clothing, and General Merchandise. These private labels will cater to a diverse range of customer needs and fill the existing vacuum in their respective segments and price points.

HyperCITY Mumbai features Specialty Areas like Fresh Basket Bakery that offers freshly baked breads and cakes all day, while concept rooms offer home solutions to customers. An open-to-air demo kitchen has been created where customers get to see product demonstrations and to try new recipes made by visiting master chefs. A gaming zone with the latest gaming equipment, a sound proof home theatre demo room, a 24 hour pharmacy and two in-store restaurants named Desi Café and Brio are some of the highlights of India’s first true hypermarket.

About HyperCITY

HyperCITY Retail (India) Pvt. Ltd. is part of the K. Raheja Corp. Group, a leader in the Indian retail sector. HyperCITY is a hypermarket in the true sense and stocks an astonishing array of product categories—groceries, food, home needs, fresh food, garments and consumer durables—and offers time pressed consumers more convenience, variety and value for their money, all under roof.

Contact

Neha Gupta, IPAN, +91 98205 72625
[email protected]