Flying out of the city and in desperate need of a designer outfit? You no longer have to make a stopover at a shopping mall on your way to the airport. Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport has just its first designer outlet — Riyaz Gangi’s new store is open in the waiting
area.
And while the items at this store will naturally be considerably more expensive than the bevy of other garment retail outlets already present there, Riyaz doesn’t seem to be worried. Talking about the store that opened earlier this week, he says, “We are pleasantly surprised with the tremendous response we have already received. This is a cash-and-carry store, so the prices are between Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 20,000. We are keeping more lifestyle products, which are mostly picked up by passengers for gifting and last-minute buys.”
Why did he think of a designer store at the airport when the city already has so many? Riyaz reckons that “there is a huge market for designer products at airports because some people only have time at waiting lounges. Our store has a 400 sq ft display. And we have a good stock.”
Riyaz also says that designer stores are patronised by foreigners, who are always enamoured by Indian clothing. “Foreigners transiting here usually pick up scarves and dupattas as they make great gifts,” he adds.