Sahara Mall, MG Road, Gurgaon

Sahara mall is one of the oldest and famous mall of Gurgaon. Not much branded shops here, just a Haldiram showroom, for that people comes here.

This shopping mall is not for come here and exploring interior, it is for shopping, there is Big Bazaar for home makers, Haldiram outlet for food buff, PVR for movie buff.

Now there are many more Shopping mall in Gurgaon with much latest architect so most of local public prefer to visit there only,

it will better to go Sahara Mall with family only.

Metro station is just near by this shopping mall. Food court is good, price are decent. Affordable price at Big Bazaar also.

Good for Big Bazaar and food court, not for movie screen, it was just ok

• 
  • Flag This Review
  • Irrelevant
  • Fake
  • Junk
• Thank You! We appreciate your effort.

Sahara Mall: Shopping made easy and fun. Opened in 2001, this earthquake-resistant building houses some of the leading lifestyle brands in the world. The grand atrium, as you enter, immediately transports you to another world. You can pick up a wide range of fashion and lifestyle products. For relaxation and entertainment there are many restaurants run by well-known chains such as Crave, Odyssey and Haldiram and a PVR multiplex. Adequate parking completes the pleasant shopping experience. Pubs: Yes  Entertainment: Yes  Details: Sahara Mall in Gurgaon is where all rat malls this side of the city congregate.

The star attraction at Sahara Mall is the Big Bazaar in all its splendor. You can buy grocery items, garments, toys, cosmetics and more in air-conditioned comfort at Big Bazaar. But, that is not all. Sahara Mall also has good restaurants, such as, Salsa Salsa for hot tex-Mex cuisine, jewellery stores, juice shops, an Archies showroom and a multiplex. A place sought out by almost all shopaholics in the NCR, Sahara Mall can get over-crowded at times.

• 
  • Flag This Review
  • Irrelevant
  • Fake
  • Junk
• Thank You! We appreciate your effort.

This is more of my reflection on the India's quest towards modernity than specific review of any mall. However, retailing is part of the new parameter that reflects country's economic progress. hence, I chose this category. This review is not just on Sahara Mall, but my general impression after a visit to Atria Mall in Mumbai, Sahara in Gurgaon and Ansal Plaza in New Delhi.

JRD Tata was always optimistic about India’s future. Jack Welsch too had been upbeat on India’s progress. He felt infrastructure in India is the only bottleneck hindering India’s progress but this can be tackled by Indian bureaucrats.

Richard Gere in his recent interview said ‘India is on roll and if the momentum is maintained, India could well be a world power within 200 years’. 200 years ?? I thought it is far too long. Japan had shown country can be transformed in a span of 30 years. China went even further; they changed the economic scenario within 15 years but they are still far away from uniform wealth distribution across the country.

For me, India is placed in precarious position that is very unique. At 8% plus p.a. economic growth, India offers attractive market for many commodities but I feel its being pulled by two opposite forces– one by quest for modernity by educated and vibrant youth and other by deep rooted concepts of antiquated socialist ideas. Chances are that it may not pull either way conclusively.

During my last week’s visit to Mumbai, New Delhi I was keen to observe the perceptible change that media has reported about India’s progress towards modernity. Over last few years, I was impressed by the Immigration efficiency at Mumbai airport.

The manner in which they   manage boisterous Indians by making them stand in a single queue is commendable. This time, travel from Mumbai to Delhi by Kingfisher Airlines brought another example of India’s youthful face. They have surpassed the benchmark of youthfulness and vivaciousness set by Jet Airlines.

New Delhi’s metro rail and string of flyovers along the ring road make capital city look sleek and modern.  But as my trip ended, subjects like Retailing and Real estate pricing heavily weighed on my mind; they kept on questioning me if   India’s is really on correct and righteous path of modernity.

I visited Atria mall in Mumbai and Sahara in Gurgaon.  Atria is a glass facade, sleek mall built right along the major road that leads to downtown but it has no independent access.  So is the case with Sahara and other malls in Gurgaon.

On weekend, when the bulk of middle class in Delhi descends on Gurgaon, with no quick access, one can spend hours just getting an entry in the mall. I wonder why Govt didn’t force the mall owner to build a flyover or pay for separate access. In Dubai, every mall has adjacent parking building with a separate access. I fear Atria may follow the same way as Pyramid – Mumbai‘s first mall that soon became defunct due to parking and traffic chaos.

Retailing in developed countries progressed in gradual progressive manner. Small shops gave way to convenience stores. They in turn led to chain of supermarkets and malls were the latest entry. And this happened, while country’s economic might became stronger. In India, we moved from small grocery shops to swanky mails with very little of supermarkets or convenience stores. Now Reliance is opening a chain of mega malls that would sell fresh vegetables.

Its no surprise that ordinary seller of fruits and vegetable would be crushed under the might of Reliance.   Spencer group a decade ago, launched Foodland’s – chain of supermarket and I feel we need these in every suburb than malls. Shops in Atria Mall, displayed those familiar European brands that are popular in Dubai. I wonder why any rich Indian would buy these when he could take pride in making trips abroad and buying them in Dubai or Singapore.

There is another area that I am sceptical about the success of malls is air conditioning. Electricity cost is high and Air conditioning must be a big burden on sellers. How it is possible for shop owner to sell commonly available Indian brands with high rent and high electricity costs? They have no option but to go for Eldo, Charles & Keith, Mango, Giordano, Nine West, Maxx, Benetton and charge fancy premium prices. But how long this can go?

Till such time, average visitor would bring his family to enjoy air cooled environ and eat McDonalds or Indian equivalent after taking few strolls on escalators. Sahara Mall in Gurgaon has turned into scene straight from railway station. But here, mall management was smart to house Haldiram eating joint with Big Bazaar grocery supermarket.

Rest of the shops sold anything from Indian costumes to bangles.  It was interesting to see Indian woman in tight T shirt and Jeans but with mangal-sutra, bangles and red  bindi   Modernity and tradition co existed at every part of the mall.

Does India really need huge malls? I feel positive despite its economic non-viability. Times of India displayed a picture of   cricket stadium in Thane (close to Mumbai) packed with 60, 000 spectators. But there was neither Cricket match being played nor any Bollywood gyrating dance being performed.

All these 60, 000 people were sitting in disciplined manner. After all, they had come to qualify for 2, 000 new recruits that Police department had advertised. That picture alone summed up India’s un employment situation.  Burgeoning mega malls at least would provide enough jobs to youngsters and in the process it will improve skills and rekindle entrepreneurial spirit.

• 
  • Flag This Review
  • Irrelevant
  • Fake
  • Junk
• Thank You! We appreciate your effort.

Our country is currently experiencing a retail revolution, with domestic customers becoming more demanding with their rising standard of living and changing lifestyles. Every working Indian worth his right to leisure, looks forward to chilling out in a place where he can buy a toothbrush and a platinum necklace under one roof, while also stopping to satisfy his gastronomical cravings with equal ardour. Speaking of retail, many people know that the city of Gurgaon in Haryana is home to around twenty-odd super malls, with each having its own target customers. In such a city of thriving retail culture, Sahara Mall has carved a niche for itself and deserves to be called the queen of malls. It's considered a place for sightseeing by visitors. Launched in 2003, Sahara Mall is India's first Brand Super Mall. Spread over a sprawling 4 acres with ample space for vehicle parking, this wonder is located on the main Mehrauli-Gurgaon road. What sets this apart from the dozen other malls in the city is that the building is not suffused with rich granite or blue tinted glass windows unlike the rest. The very ambience catches one by surprise since one finds nothing special about it. This said, there is perfect air-conditioning throughout the day inspite of frequent power failures in the city and it is a good idea to take respite in the mall on hot weekends.  But, what this manna-to-shoppers does offer is a wholesome shopping experience with adequate luxury minus the dose of extravagance. It comprises company owned brand outlets and flagship stores promising complete range of products and latest offerings. From ground floor to the third floor there is an array of international brands witnessing the paradigm shift in Indian habitats. The grand atrium welcomes the customers & invites them to experience a world of class & exotica. From scintillating jewellery to glamorous apparel stores all are there. Pantaloons, Raymonds, Lotus feet, Zaveri, Tanishq, Big Bazaar etc. offer biggest scope to explore the world in the limited boundaries of Sahara Mall. One should also watch out for the relatively small boutiques that offer irresistible off-season discounts.Lakshita and Mynah are shops of exquisite sartorial delight. While the former sells ethnic kurtis and formal wear for women, worth every penny you pay, the latter houses designer western wear at amazingly discounted prices. The most reputed food chains like Ros Thai, Pizza Hut, Arogyam, Tangerine, Crave, Odyssey, Haldiram etc. find best location in Sahara mall. Of these Haldiram deserves special mention for the huge crowd it caters to at any day of the week. One is really missing something if he leaves without gorging on a plate of chole bature and rasagullas or plain'chaach' after a day's work, in this restaurant serving mouth-watering Indian food. There is also a multiplex for recreational and leisure activities.Therefore, it's a heaven for not only the cine-buffs but also for those who find solace in entertainment of all sorts. The latest and the classics are what the viewers find irresistible in this multiplex. Now, for the cons. You might not want to step into Sahara Mall especially after you have driven your way across traffic signals on a warm evening. The frenzy sure puts one off, and makes one resort to one of the quieter malls where there is no melee and you get more attention. Secondly, shopping in a mall is convenient but after a while, it brings in boredom and makes shopping less adventurous.But, this applies to the culture in general. Now that you are well initiated, what are you waiting for? If you are planning to go to Delhi, then make sure that you venture into this shopping paradise which is just about 45 minutes away. As for Gurgaon-ites, well, you did not have to read about Sahara mall from a'pardesi', did you? If you did, then please take the time to review it:-).

• 
  • Flag This Review
  • Irrelevant
  • Fake
  • Junk
• Thank You! We appreciate your effort.