Retail Outlets near Railway Station- Future Groups Plans

India’s Future Group, operator of the Big Bazaar and Food Bazaar outlets, is planning to expand over the next year by starting outlets near railway stations. I personally feel that, the plan of the Future Group to start outlets near railway stations should be warmly welcomed by consumers.

They are initially targeting busy railway stations as they can catch more consumers. Right now they run two Big Bazaar stores near the Delhi Metro station. They recently inaugurated one near Sealdah railway station, expecting to attract more than 80,000 consumers a week compared to an average of 50,000 consumers at other Big Bazaar outlets. There are more than ten lakh passengers moving through this railway station everyday. Moreover they are planning for community retailing, in which the stores would be customized to meet the specific needs of local community.

I travel by train to my working place. By the time I return from my office, I usually wastes half hour sitting at the railway station. Several times I wished of such an outlet as I had to spend some extra time for my daily purchase of grocery and other stationery items. For that too, I have to visit separate shops for getting each item. If consumers get all the things at a single point they will be really blessed.

I was recently travelling to my native place. I rushed all the way from home to railway station to catch the train. I did not even get enough time to do all my shopping and I had to purchase clothes for my family members. When I reached the railway station I was told that the train will be some forty five minutes late as it is not new a thing with Indian Railways. I thought of going for a shopping. But I was sure that I will definitely get lost in the traffic and I do not want to miss the train too. I couldn’t find a good shopping outlet nearby. I just wasted my time by simply watching the whole mass. I really thought if I could get a good shopping outlet there. As a consumer I definitely want to welcome their plan. I think they would have made the decision before.

A good percentage of people use railways for their transportation, even if the services are not up to the mark. The idea of starting retail outlets definitely helps the consumers to save their valuable time. There are very few shopping outlets nearby railway station, even if we find one; they will not meet our requirements. Intelligently Future Groups have targeted at the right point.