Residents outside a departmental store in Patna. Picture by Jai Prakash

Patna, July 18: Residents in the state capital are realising grocery shopping can be fun, courtesy the retail stores that have come up in the city in the recent past.

In today’s busy life, when family members hardly get time for each other, shopping for household items becomes nothing short of tedious. But there is no reason to worry when you have departmental stores like Big Bazaar, Vishal Mega Mart, 9 to 9, Zee Super Market at your doorstep.

The one-stop stores that have upped shutters in the state capital are proving to be a relief for residents, who no longer have to hop from one shop to another for their daily requirements.

Siam Fatima, a soft-skills trainer who does her grocery shopping from Vishal Mega Mart, said: “These stores have emerged as a boon for working professionals like me. Now, all I need to do before heading out to shop is to prepare a list of items I need for the month. Anything that I want to buy — from food to home décor and cosmetics — it’s all there. The best part about these departmental stores is that you don’t need to ask the shopkeeper for anything. You can choose the products from a wide range at your own convenience from the different aisles.”

If you think only people like Siam are benefiting from Vishal Mega Mart and its likes, think again. These stores are a hit with the homemakers too, as it is far more convenient to buy groceries from one shop rather than hundreds.

Arpita Pathak, a homemaker, said: “At these stores, we can buy goods in bulk and they are far cheaper because of the discount they offer. It doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket and you are satisfied with the purchase too.”

“As a homemaker, I have to keep these things in mind,” signed off Arpita with a smile.

The store employees also vouch for their discounts and products to you and I.

Sumojeet Chakraborty, the store manager at Big Bazaar at P&M Mall, said: “The store has been flooded with customers since we opened shutters in April this year. As this is a one-stop shopping spot and most of the products here are available at a cheaper price, people love to visit us.”

However, don’t think cheap will mean dated.

“We buy the goods in bulk from various sources at lower costs. They are cheap because of the large discounts allowed by manufacturers and savings in freight, loading and unloading charges. So, the customers also get the goods at lower rates than other stores,” said Chakraborty.

“The schemes on offer attract our buyers, as these are the same all over the country, including metropolitans like Delhi, Mumbai and Calcutta,” he added.