Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

It’s on… Don’t miss it

THE HINDU METROPLUS LIFESTYLE SHOW is an opportunity to strike bargains on high end and exclusive products, write SOMA BASU and T. SARAVANAN

Photo: S. James

Heady mix Grabbing attention through impressive collections

It’s here and it’s happening — The Hindu Metroplus Lifestyle Show for the second consecutive year. And believe us, everybody everywhere is gushing about this “talk of the town” event that is back, marked by a wider range of products, bigger participation, larger space and greater national and international flavour.

It is blowing like a whiff of fresh air amidst a clutter of other exhibitions and discounts thrown in this month of Aadi. Even last year we may have said that the fair is much more than just the “buyer-seller meet”.

This time too we reiterate the same, but with a serious attempt to improve on the previous edition.

It is only when you step into the open lounge at the Tamukkam Grounds — the venue for the five day shopping festival — you are stimulated by this refreshing experience that redefines shopping.

The fair has not belied expectations of the people. Rather, it has firmly stuck to what it promised — sophisticated lifestyle choices.

From a fancy hairpin to swanky automobiles, you will get them all here under one comfortable airconditioned forum.

In fact, the choices are awesome and too many at this mega spread making decisions a wee bit difficult. Our suggestion — leave your worries home, not the wallet! Come and simply enjoy with a bit of sinful indulgence.

For nowhere else in the city will you get such an assortment of premiere and branded products, from stylish furniture and elegant furnishings to cosmetics and perfumes, modern kitchen gadgets to snazzy electronics and latest information technology products, from dazzling diamonds to fashionable textiles, fast moving consumer goods to luxury products, interior decors to classy art and handicrafts. Literally, from anything to everything.

It appears the purchase potential of people not only from the conservative holy town of Madurai but even neighbouring districts, was underestimated.

Even the District Collector S.S. Jawahar couldn’t hold back saying: “For a city, with plans afoot to set up Information Technology and Tidel Parks, such an exhibition will expedite the transition. It has bridged the gap between Metropolitan and Tier-II cities.” He is confident the Metroplus Lifestyle Show will create a lasting impact on the people.

Indeed, the show has bust the myth that Madurai people are conservative and unwilling spenders.

Thousands have been drawn to the fair where the invigorating ambience, as well, has rewritten the formula for organising fairs in the Temple City.

It is a benchmark well established which every other exhibitor wishes to emulate now.

It is not to say that the sheer size of the hangars and the air-conditioned comfort zones powered by sound proof generators are devoid of the myriad noises of a shopping experience. The animated and persisting chattering of salesmen, the banter of customers, speakers blaring film songs, the hustle-bustle – it is all there.

But, the ground area is upped by 10,000 square feet this time (last year it was spread over 36,000 square feet).

The stalls are more and bigger by a foot and the aisle space is wider by two feet following suggestions from visitors last year.

The entry fee has not reduced the pleasure of an outing. People have displayed a change of the stubborn mindset willing to take in loads of fun and serious shopping too. The overwhelming public response has returned the international participants with enhanced energy levels and array of products.

Electronics goods section headed by the main sponsors of the show — Samsung — grabs attention with its state-of-the-art LCD and Plasma Television sets, washing machines and refrigeration systems.

Apart from an overall “25 per cent improvement” in the entire gamut of the exhibition, the major difference is the automobile segment.

Imposing collection of vehicles from co-sponsors General Motors’ latest launch Chevrolet Spark to Maruti Suzuki’s SX4, from Toyota’s Innova to Hyundai’s Verna, array of small cars and luxury sedans are on display.

Spreading fragrance that transcends boundaries are the other co-sponsors, the Ahsan Perfumes, with their impressive set of perfumes including the ‘Namma Ooru Malli’, and the iRest with their series of massage chairs, setting a new standard in total body massage.

The event managers, Icare Communications, have seamlessly managed this lifestyle event once again bringing the best to the people of Madurai.

There is something for everyone suiting the pockets at this spectacular showcase of items.

It stimulates every customer into shopping, big or small. And if not, it definitely offers innovative and inspirational ideas to take back home.

The message — Don’t miss the last three days of this shopping extravaganza which ends on July 30.

Timings: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail