My Dollar Store has only recently opened in the city. Fundamentally it should be the Double Dollar Store, because everything's marked at a 99/- which, if getting into the conversion rate crosses the $2 mark. Anyway, suddenly people think its cheaper to shop at the 'dollar store' than elsewhere because everything's for below a 100!
Well, psychologically it works great, because everytime you look at something you 'might' need, your inner voice says - 'Ah, what the hell, its just a 100 bucks!', and you promptly load your shopping cart. But technically, its not so cheap after all. A lot of stuff is marked originally more or less around the Rs. 100 mark, so its not the kind of saving you're crossing your fingers for. Also, the brands are quite unknown - making the risk of a unsatisfactory product higher.
Anyhow, with the Indian consumer going ga-ga over American merchandise, I'm quite sure - more stores are on the way.
Comments
the people are ready to buy out anything that comes with an 'American' tag or sounds 'Americanishh'!
made cooler by harry on August 1, 2006 11:38 PM
Am I really posting a comment on LimeIce? Is it really happening after so many months? Can somebody pinch me?
made cooler by Sarthak Taneja on August 2, 2006 2:33 AM
harry: There are actually claims made that the stuff being sent to these dollar stores are close to expiry dates or are the stocks unwanted back in the home country. Also surprising is to know that 30% of the stuff is imported from China and NOT America.
Thats how it is in the Corporate world, isn't it?
Sarthak: Are you really back to LimeIce? You still visit after so many months - dude, you're one of the reasons this thing is still on. Welcome back!!!
made cooler by Limeice on August 2, 2006 7:35 PM
things are cheaper in India compared to US or Singapore electronic items as well.. the reason is that this items are imported from China.. importing from China to India is short distance compared to Singapore and America.. now abt America tag, yeah thats there.. but Americans have good business skills, 99USD things and similar stuffs.. first when they manufacture and put in market.. they get all thier investment and things back in its first 1000 to 10000 sells.. after that even if they sell one thing for 1 USD rather its cost is around 1000USD still they make profit of 1 USD.. they got good business strategies.. thats why they have great and good sales happening after christmas :), where they sell things for as low as 1USD, and thats item which cost like 400 USD or 500 USD, but still they are making profit of 1USD :).
made cooler by Dhaval Faria on August 3, 2006 10:44 AM
Hey Lime!! Yeah! It feels awsome to be commenting here again :) and now I hope this goes on for a long time.
@$store: Well, I have never been to any such store..but I find the concept really good. Although the product quality might be degraded...still most of the time...the tempatation of 99 just makes u buy something you would have never desired earlier.
made cooler by Sarthak Taneja on August 3, 2006 12:17 PM
Dhaval: The U.S. works solely with good margins - if they don't have something reaping them good profit, they won't venture in it at all.
But the idea is to claim that the stock is American when the fact is that 30% is coming from China - is a bit eyeraising. Anyway, as long as people find a taste for what they see - there really isn't much harm in what they get.
Sarthak: Imagine - people are leaving comments on an entry made 3 years earlier on Friendship's Day. Now I realize how important it is to be in touch with the blog ;)
made cooler by Lime on August 8, 2006 1:51 PM