Culturally relevant retail formats? The 'Grandhige Angadi' in Bangalore

A key differentiator between retail formats has been the merchandise mix carried. Generally speaking
Super Markets focus on food and consumables, wheras a speciality store could be a jewellary store, a Footwear store or an apparal store.

In Malleshwaram and in Basvangudi, which are the older residential areas in Bangalore, there is a niche format called 'Grandige Angadi'. The literal translation would be 'Perfumary Stores', however the format is the greatest example of how 'scrambled merchandisng' can be a profitable and sustainable format.

 

At Mr T.V Sampangi Ramiah's shop which was started in 1934, the merchandise mix consists of a eclectic mix of perfumery used for religious ceremonies, herbal medicines, niche food products ranging from the Jaggary balls in the picture, candied gooseberry, dry fruits , uncommon herbs,vessels used in religious ceremonies from child birth, marriages to Hindu funerals, and, the fast moving 'Puja items'; which are essentials for Hindu festivals which occur throughout the year in India and surely more often in Malleshwaram. Observe the storage of many items in polybags, as the frequency of sale for many of the items may be very low, making it neccessary to make merchandise 'bright and shiny' even after years on the store shelf.   When asked about his merchandise mix Mr. ampagi Ramiah said 'When you cannot find it in any other shop in Bangalore shop, you can find it here'

 

The shops next to the 'Grundige Angadi' sell Vermilion and Turmeric both items which are available in many qualities and the orthodox Hindu will use only the best quality as offering to the gods.

The wheel of retailing theory does not seem to have impacted these shops with scrambled merchandise, even as they might have started as shops selling Perfumary and moved into culturally specific scrambled merchandise.