Waiving parking fees, offering discounts: Mumbai multiplexes try it all

With the entire nation scrounging for cash, malls and theatre owners have come up with a range of options – from waiving off parking fees to giving heavy discounts – to attract patrons.

With the entire nation scrounging for cash, malls and theatre owners have come up with a range of options – from waiving off parking fees to giving heavy discounts – to attract patrons.

Shopping malls in Mumbai offer heavy discounts to maintain footfall. (HT File Photo)

Parking lots in the city usually charge Rs50-Rs250 for parking over the weekend. But malls such as Pheonix Mills in Lower Parel, Inorbit Mall in Malad and Inorbit mall in Vashi waived it off for the weekend. “This was our way of doing something for our customers and make it a little easier for them at a time when everyone is cash-strapped,” said an official of Phoenix Mill compound.

For Rock On 2 that released last week, PVR Cinemas waived off the convenience fee on booking a ticket via credit or debit card. Paytm went a step further and announced a buy-1-get-1-free offer if tickets are purchased through their service.

Cinépolis India has offered up to 30% discount on online ticket bookings. “Demonetisation is definitely a positive step taken by the government and we support this. As the ongoing demonetisation is restricted to bank notes, online booking seems a feasible option, which is preferred by our patrons. We have also introduced offers on our website,” said an official.

Marzdi Kalianiwala, vice-president, marketing and business intelligence, BookMyShow, said, “BookMyShow believes this huge step taken by the Indian Government will help us collectively move faster towards becoming a cashless economy. While especially targeting new users, BookMyShow will continue to be aggressive on offers and discounts for transactions through BookMyShow’s MyWallet in the near future.”

An official from Inox said, “We are offering ₹40 off on food and beverage for orders placed at REFUEL (INOX’s Concessions Counter) with card payments.”