Retail & an Old B-plan

Few years back (in 2005), I made a small business plan for a competition in my college (DCE). The venture had to be based on a use of the internet.

The idea was fairly simple - a 'local' website with info, community and online sale from neighbouring stores. I lived in Dwarka (a sub-city in Delhi) that time. So, the concepts was that I could go on a 'www.delhi-dwarka.com' and get local info like-

- best deals on grocery, retail etc

- hotel menus and contact details

- opportunities for car pool (could post and use)

- info on local events

The ads from local stores could keep the site running.

The grocery needs are mostly repetitive in any household. The website would provide you the opportunity to buy from different stores sitting at home and order a free home delivery.

Some more facts:

1. Recently, I have been reading a book called "Why We Buy" from one Mr.Paco Underhill, who proclaims that without the impulse buying at stores the sales would plummet. Making my plan - a not so good one.

2. Retail research at Euromonitor says that internet sales in UK have already started to increase at the expense of direct sale. A favorable trend for my plan!

3. Justdial has this (amazing) database and service where you might as well get the store's number and call them! (but you wouldn't know stuff like best deals and car-pools)

4. Also, with the increase in population of senior citizens, this would be much more comfortable for them / their caretakers to shop. Ok maybe the senior citizens 5 yrs hence will be more net-savvy. (Although I could totally imagine my grandfather, who is quite net savvy, ordering grocery online)

So, is this an idea whose time has come? or maybe it will take another 5 years?

Ranbir Rocket Singh - Actor of the Year

This being the initiation types week at IIM-I, 5 of us decided to go all the way to Indore (from the campus at Rau) to watch 'Rocket Singh'

The movie is well-made and enjoyable. Ranbir's performance truly stands out. The script falters a bit, but on the whole, it manages to keep the interest of the audiences going. I was quite surprised by the mostly empty seats at INOX Indore.

Supporting actors

• Shazahn Padamsee as Sherena
• D Santosh as Girish Reddy
• Gauhar Khan as Koena
• Prem Chopra as P.S. Bedi
• Mukesh Bhatt as Chhotelal Mishra
• Naveen Kaushik as Nitin Rathore
• Manish Chaudhary as Puri, all have done a commendable job.

Ranbir has been a revelation for me with his latest movies - Wake up Sid, Ajab Prem ki Gajab Kahani and now
Rocket Singh. In fact, Wake up Sid seems to be the coming of age for Ranbir, something like Dil Chahta hai was for Saif.

What impressed me most about the film and Ranbir's performance was the simplicity with which both touch your heart.

Going by reports that the film hasn't really hit the sweet spot at the box office, Ranbir may not be the Salesman of the Year (considering the way he was selling the film to us), but I'd say he could well be the 'Actor of the Year' OR more aptly, the Revelation of the Year.

The Indian Traveler

On my flight from Mumbai to Indore, I once again noticed some characteristics of the Indian (air) Traveler. And since all this seems to be a pettern I thought it worth sharing.

Ok, so unlike the train traveller, this guy doesn't feel the need to ask his fellow passengers the station they would be getting down at, and the ensuing conversation etc. etc.

In fact, the Indian (traveler or otherwise) comes across as rather impolite. Wonder why almost no one answers a "Good Morning" or "Welcome" from the flight attendants?

Train travelers are no less. Loud music playing form cellphones is a common phenomenon. I don't know if I am the only one who doesn't like it, but no one stops them. Get earphones people!