Mumbai’s method in mall madness

Mumbai is about to get its largest mall, in Dahisar. But what is it about these concrete shopping paradises that’s so alluring to Mumbaikars? Speak Up visited one venue and found shoppers freezing in the cool factor they associate with malls. Dahisar, they say, may, however, be a bridge too far even for the city’s most seasoned shopaholic

Malls should be close to home
Malls are easy outlets for shopping. They save a lot of time. I usually visit the mall to buy clothes. I can easily pick and choose from the large variety that is available.
Malls are fun places to hang out with friends and family. Most people come here after work or on weekends. High Street Phoenix is closest to my house, which  is why I prefer hanging out there. It is convenient and I usually get what I want.
–Priyanka Chaturvedi

I love hanging out and eating at malls
I make it a point to visit a mall at least once a week. I wouldn't travel all the way to Dahisar  to visit the new mall coming up there. Malls have spoilt us to a great extent.
I personally have become very choosy while shopping because of the number of malls coming up. My favourite hangout at a mall is the food court. I love the choices we get at malls, especially in the clothes section.
–Aman Sanghavi

I like big, spacious malls
I like huge and spacious malls. Inorbit is my favourite because it very big. I don't like R-Mall too much because it is very crowded and congested. I like to go to different malls, but avoid going to them on weekends. People from all around the city throng malls on weekends. Today, malls have become a place for spending time with family and friends. They are the best hangout for Mumbaikars.
–Gauri Barde

Shopping has become easier
I make it a point to visit a mall at least once a month with my family. I love the Nirmal Lifestyle mall at Mulund. The best part of malls is that there are a lot of choices available. You can get everything under one roof.  Shopping becomes so much easier. The convenience that these malls offer is what makes me prioritise them over other marketplaces in the city.
–Megha Dhargalkar

Many celebrities visit us
I am glad that my shop is inside a mall. We get lots of customers from South Mumbai. There are many celebrities like Raveena Tandon, Mandira Bedi, and even RR Patil who visit our store. We get the best customers, who appreciate the food we sell. They ask a lot of questions about our products and we try and convince them to buy it.
–Nancy Periera.
Assistant Manager, Home Delite and Sargam

People like to spend big bucks
Malls have exposed people to a wide variety of luxury brands. Now we have access to big companies like Calvin Klein. People have a lot of disposable income and don't mind spending big bucks on expensive clothes and accessories. They also want to enjoy a good shopping experience. I like Atria Mall because it is a cool place to hang out. The food court is particularly nice.
–Anushree Natraj

Items are too expensive
I don't like malls at all, as only standardised brands are available. Even the mall layouts are the same everywhere.  The brands available are far too expensive for the common man. Malls seem to be a place only for the upper classes. The must-have in a mall, for me, is a relaxing sitting area. Even the ambience and food court matter when I think of visiting a mall.
–Tasneem Boxwalla

I prefer window shopping
I am from Srinagar and think that Mumbai has some of the best places to shop. Whenever I am in this city I make it a point to visit at least one mall. Malls are a great means of entertainment and refreshment. I like to visit them I love coming to malls only to hang out with my family. All the brands available here are not always affordable for the common man. So, window shopping is all that we can do.
–Sabina Muzafar

I won’t travel all the way to Dahisar
Palm Beach at Vashi is my favourite mall. Malls are very convenient shopping places. I would rate a mall according to its ambience and the space available. I heard about the new mall coming up at Dahisar but as I stay in New Bombay it’s too inconvenient for me. I wouldn't waste time travelling that much. I prefer places which are closer to my place like City mall at Vashi.  I wouldn't mind visiting a mall daily.             
–Simran Arora

Window shoppers are few in number
Malls are always a better option in which to set up a store. They are cleaner and safer than the market place. In Mumbai people are not very brand conscious as they are in Delhi. However, the one good thing is that the number of window shoppers is less in Mumbai. I am glad we are getting a good response here, as 90 per cent of the people who come to our shop are those who want to actually purchase things.         
–Naseema. owner. Hauz Khaas