As kids, whenever we were expecting guests, mom made a special point to mention (to me most of the times) to be on our best behaviour. How I behaved makes for another post altogether, highly avoidable right now. But it made me realize, wouldn’t the staff be well prepared to meet and greet us? Will that give me an unbiased view of the store? Nope, I didn’t think so. And my devilish mind set to work. I took the print out of the invite I was supposed to carry. 15th June, 2013, 10 am is what it showed on my laptop. Venue headed to, Infinity Mall, Malad.
“Hi, I am BlogwatiG and here is my invite.”
“Mom, we are in and we told them we want to browse around. They said to ask for help if we need anything.”
As I walked in, I did get a few eager faces who tried to help. I told them, I was good and went on to explore the store. The red, blue and white ambiance of the store was broken by orange shelf headers. Nice. Products were categorized and neatly stacked on eye level facilitating easy viewing. The display range was inviting and the staff were forthcoming with assistance. In house branding was evident with a series of panels advertising Reliance benefits and educating customers on buying smart. Plus One.
A group of bloggers were being briefed by the store manager. I casually walked across to the next row from them, glancing at the products and challenging my hearing abilities. I am happy to report, the transmission was clear, also because Vishal (learnt his name later) had a very commanding voice. He was giving the group a walk-through about the ideals, goals and customer service levels of brand Reliance Digital. Well, actions speak louder than words, I said to myself. I was about to get into Test Drive Mode. Oops, someone recognized me and almost waved. I aborted eye contact and went asking for DSLR Cameras. Phew!
I asked the executive about the Nikon D3100 as I had recently purchased one and was equipped with information. He went on to compare the Canon 600D, Nikon D3100 and D5100. He left them on par and let me be the judge as to what would be suitable to my needs. Very nicely done. Plus One. However their DSLR range was very limited. I could say the same for quite a few products. Minus One.
I turned my attention to the air coolers. A slow moving product generally does not feature on the staff roll call. This should be good. I was right. There were only two models on display. However the executive at the section managed to give me a full fledged demo with a faulty piece which was not in stock. He even offered to take down my number and get back to me with my requirements. I had a hard time not volunteering my details. Plus One.
While browsing I came across the in-house brand Reconnect. Apt name choice. Immediate brand recall value. This desktop that I set my heart on looked pretty sleek to match the competition too. Plus One.
Most stores offer extended warranty. At Reliance it comes with a name that rescues you from your misery with after sales service. ResQ, once again, great brand recall value and value for money with their add on coupons. Plus One.
If I have to summarize The Reliance Digital Experience in 5, I’d say
a) Staff product knowledge is A1. Keep it up. Overall look is A-Okay too. Yes, I would be inclined to visit again. Brand Reconnect looks promising.
b) Increase the product range if you are planning on becoming the one stop digital shop. I can’t choose from 2 camera brands, if you know what I mean.
c) Give me reasons to not shop abroad. If I am looking for a pedometer or a digital dictionary bookmark, a karaoke machine or hi-tech camera lens, give me that option to buy it here.
d) Schemes way beyond market standards is what I call a bargain. Make me an offer I can’t refuse.
e) Every store space needs to generate revenue. If a particular section is not, for e.g., the books section, do away with it and add something that will.
In short, go the length and breadth to provide that Happiness in Store.
Well, I was almost done being a detective when I bumped into two gorgeous hunks who went on to have a very animated conversation about hair care. Who ever said men are all about gadgets? I am the one without the beard, BTW. And thank God for that!
Oh yes, almost forgot. Mom and the princess were rewarded with lunch for their subtle efforts. The princess toh went one step ahead and refused to acknowledge me when we crossed paths in the store. Yup, she is gonna be an actress or a politician maybe? Their take, it was nice. Staff was sweet. Wish they had a coffee shop too!
Comments
I get featured on BlogawatiG’s blog! *bounces*
Ha ha ha ha ha ha Adi …………….hugs! So did you buy that comb?
No I think I already have one or two already existing in the house lol when I get I’ll let you know
I await with bated breath
Nice review, really innovative!
Thanks Ritu
Had to bribe two women as you can see!
I love how you approached the review.
Do you teach, by the way? Methinks ye would do very well as a school principal/dean 
I particularly liked the plus one/minus one take. And the summary.
Ha ha ha, thanks Vidya, I have been tutoring kids since I passed my Grade 10. I must have tutored over 100 odd kids in regular subjects including languages and Accounts, Eco and French. In fact I have a celebrity student too, lol. Yup, I love teaching….someday….will get back to it. So now you know the secret of the plus one and minus one.
@Vidya – Wow! Really astute! You aren’t a Virgo by any chance are you?
@Blogwati Gee – Yes the review had depth and the touch of genuineness. Even I liked the plus one minus one approach.
Thanks Chicky. I am glad you did
Thumbs up to all three ladies! Nice review
Thanks Purnima……….had to edit it thrice to make it shorter……phew! It is still looooooooooooooong!
Nice review, BLogwati Gee. Stocks have always been a problem at Reliance Digital, I would say with my experience with them.
I agree. But they can move up that alley for sure. They must, if they plan to survive.
Great approach to the review ! Loved it !
Thanks Ruchira
I went to reliance time out in park squaremall Bangalore and enjoyed
it. I too got a similar snap like princess ;)but here there were MANY books . Hence I liked it more. I didnt explore much but
many products were nt in stock and there were no many brands like u
told. Nice review. So comprehensive
GOOD DAY
Thanks Afshan. The books were disappointing here….!
Only you could have done that! Well done BlogwatiG
Lol, Bhavya…..I knew I could make for a mastermind criminal, no?
Nice review BG.
Thanks Janu!
Nice one detective BlogwatiG
Ha ha ha ha, Elementary my dear Aparna
Liked the way u have reviewed it. My experience with the store has been just ok
Well, I believe in giving a chance for improvement. We can all thrash what we don’t like, but then again how does that help growth? Till we don’t show the way, we don’t have the right to judge…..just the way I think
So you had a nice experience, great! I have been following the Forum on Indiblogger and many are too negative… Well, I have got a secret to reveal with this IndiConteset…soon after my visit
Being negative is the easiest thing to do. But taking the negative and turning it into a positive is what great organisations do. Fingers crossed and I want to know your secret
LOL!! You are so crafty! I thoroughly enjoyed the length to which you went in order to get an unbiased overview! Hey, you look just like your mom…I bet you hear that all the time! And, your princess is growing up to be a lovely, willowy lady!
Well, Roshni what is the point of doing something if you aren’t gonna do it differently
We three women quite enjoyed moonlighting as detectives, really, lol.
And actually my sis looks like my mom. I look a whole lot like my dad
Sneaky but obviously very effective. Enjoyed reading.
Sneaky would be my middle name
And I’m already kissing goodbye to my chances of winning an iPad, so I’ll make an offer to you which you can’t refuse, for the impending iPad win. Just that I haven’t come up with that offer for now
Ha ha ha ha Adi very generous…..but do consider Malad was the most visited store
Very nicely done
crafty but your mom can easily pass off as you… you guys are almost identical.
Thanks, I’ll let her know. I am sure she will be thrilled…that somewhere I am like here
nice review
You’re a carbon copy of your mom.
Next time you’re visiting Malad soon, let me know… Lacoste ka end of season sale chal raha hai… Wanted a t-shirt