When I even begin to ponder on this question, I remember my first real ‘shopping mall’ experience at the Pantaloons outlet in Nagpur. I was a curious but shy teenager, visiting a relative. At my hometown of Chandrapur, shopping went beyond just clothes or groceries. It meant relationships with local retailers. These retailers would precisely know what kind of apparel we would prefer and which size would fit us that year. So, when I visited Pantaloons, I was highly doubtful whether that experience would be as personal. Moreover, I was overwhelmed by the presence of the brands that I had only seen in ads. The salesperson realized my situation and immediately attended me with wonderful suggestions. I distinctly remember buying my first ‘branded’ jeans by Forever 21. Little did I know that I would stick by the brand till today! A few years later, when my hometown witnessed a highly celebrated inauguration of the Planet Fashion store, I could only contain my excitement on purchasing a Peter England shirt for my father on his birthday. In fact, when I mentioned this to the store owner, not only was he courteous enough to gift wrap the shirt beautifully, he also attached a greeting card to it. The card carried the logo (… and the legacy!) of the ADITYA BIRLA GROUP. Today, when I think about the group, I think about so many events in my life and how, in its own sweet way, it has been there – the maa-ke-haath-ka-khaana at lunchtime wrapped in Freshwrapp, my first job interview in a crisp Allen Solly shirt, the long-distance phone calls at home on the Vodafone Idea network and now, the elegant Van Huesen blazer suit that I wear at my b-school. So, what is the importance of ABG in my life? IT IS BIG!
#NMIMSMumbai #ABGLPWooMe