Eva mall set for a revamp

Eva mall set for a revamp
Wednesday June 13 2007 08:44 IST

One learns by trial and error. The gender exclusive shopping mall have failed to enthuse citizens, it seems. With the benefit of hindsight, Eva Shopping Mall on the Infantry Road, an exclusive mall for women shoppers floated by the Prestige Group, is planning a revamp so as to open it to the mixed shoppers.

The management of the mall, set up by individual investors in June 2006, pledges many new features, a mix pack with many addons to draw the classy customers.

In the past few months, the mall saw closure of around eight branded retail outlets that catered exclusively to women. It included Pepe Jeans, Adidas, Raga, Reebok among others. The mall could not provide that cutting edge compared to other popular malls.

The mall, now it has been realised, failed to provide a package of shopping-relaxing-entertainment which is an ideal mall mix these days. More importantly, it failed to provide a food court for customers. So the mall had very few footfall which led to closure of many outlets.

According to the management experts in the field, malls should ensure a thick footfall to encourage impulse purchases. With much of their shopping needs confined to some particular items, the only way to stand out in the crowd is to be different.

An official from Prestige Group said that it has learnt by the experience. It has signed with BJN Group to have 25,000 sq ft restaurant on the fifth floor in two weeks time. As a part of the revamp, it will house Aroma of China, lounge bar and a restaurant.

The ground floor will have an electronic departmental store occupied by a single tenant, which will cater in high end electronic goods.

It will have selective brands which shall be exclusive to Eva Mall only. The apparent bar on men in the mall proved fatal. Presently, the management is leaving no stone unturned to attract both women and men. The change of name is yet to be decided.

Few of the existing stores like VLCC Unisex Saloon and Slimming Point, Mochi Shoe store for both men and women, Health and Glow, Straps, Revolution and Coffee World are there to stay.

To be in the trade, malls have to constantly reinvent themselves. They should have the right mix of food, entertainment, shopping, hospitality and whatever they can to attract the crowd.

Eventually, some concept may fail while others will succeed, but malls are here to stay.