"One Rupee Shopping Spree". Many of us who read city supplements of daily newspapers diligently would not have missed this ad in Delhi and in Bangalore which promises customers anything between a dinner set, a tea set, towels, bed sheets, tiffany lamps and glass sets for just Re 1. The rider is that before a customer can avail of this offer she will have to run up a bill of between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000 with an outlet of The Home Store (THS) in that city. "Home owners have increased in number and their tastes and preferences have evolved with the influence of the media and the availability of finance. They seek value proposition and we provide that," says Abdul Rab, general manager, The Home Store, India.

THS India is banking on higher walk-ins to establish its brand image as a one-stop home solution provider rather than just a home utility chain. This, the company hopes, will give it easier access to the 20 new cities it plans to tap over the next two years. The Home Store currently has 20 outlets in 10 cities - including Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Indore, Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Bangalore, besides Delhi and neighbouring Gurgaon. ... more