Crossword at City Centre II, Rajarhat. Picture by Amit Datta

The newest Crossword has opened up a world of books for readers in Rajarhat. Spread across 3,210sqft, it is the fifth Crossword in the city and the second largest in size after the Elgin Road branch.

“We are slowly covering most catchment areas in the city. Rajarhat as a township is good but what the area was lacking was organised, branded retailing, which was brought in by City Centre II,” says Sidharth Pansari, owner of Crossword, which is present in South City Mall, Kankurgachhi, Elgin Road, Sector V and now Rajarhat.

Apart from books, the new element in the store is a gifts section. “It’s primarily a book-led departmental store but we stock everything from books to music and stationery. This way, it becomes a complete family destination, fulfilling needs of the child to the parent,” explains Pansari. The product portfolio covers a diverse price range, too, with items starting from Rs 50.

us, attention to detail makes the first-floor bookstore a more comfortable stop for readers leafing through pages. Like international bookstores, the floor has been carpeted to absorb noise from footsteps.

The genres that sell the most are fiction, chick-lit, non-fiction (history), self-help and self-improvement, and lifestyle and leisure — in that order. “What’s growing is health and fitness. Teen fiction is also doing extremely well. They are light reads, just like watching a film like, say, Golmaal or Life Partner!” smiles Pansari.

Like its name, Crossword takes the middle path between fun and learning. Sections have been clearly demarcated with signboards — ideal for “fast picks-ups” at a mall.

Further expansion plans are on the anvil. Next up is a Crossword in Durgapur, scheduled to open in May 2010.

TOP 10 SELLING LIGHT READS

I too had a love story.., Ravinder Singh

Those small lil things, Rahul Saini

Oops! ‘I’ Fell In Love! Just by chance…, Harsh Snehanshu

Of Course I Love You..! Durjoy Datta and Maanvi Ahuja

Anything for you, ma’am, Tushar Raheja

Love, life and dream on, Animesh Verma

Nothing for you my dear — still I love you, Arpit Dugar

Piece Of Cake, Swati Kaushal

Trust Me, Rajashree

Pink or black, Tishaa