Kathmandu, April 4:

Fixed prices and easy availability of goods is luring Nepalis to shopping malls that have mushroomed.

Housewife Sarada Baral said, “I visit malls as I get everything from fresh groceries to gadgets at reasonable prices.”

Malls are designed to provide all sorts of facilities in a one-stop shop. They have been constructed in the centre of the city so that there is no transportation problem for the people.

College student Pradip Giri at Bhatbhateni supermarket, said “One gets varieties of branded clothes at reasonable prices. They are durable too.” People have also become brand conscious nowadays.

Nripesh Shrestha, owner of UFO in Kathmandu Mall, said, “We have a fixed price system here. People don’t have to bargain and we offer items at reasonable prices to our customers.”

As the basic feature of shopping malls is availability of all goods like trendy clothes, accessories, gadgets, food, all under one roof, it saves time and gives a sense of security.

Ample parking spaces, means of entertainment like restaurants, pools and exclusive showrooms are other features of attractions. People visit shopping malls not only shop but also spend quality time with friends and family. At the end of the day it is the

convenience that matters. Another factor is customers can exercise their consumer rights.

The trade associations joining hands with the management of the malls has not only solved shop owners’ problems, it has also created greater customer satisfaction.

“Any kind of illegal actions of shop owners are quickly identified and required action is taken immediately against the guilty party in order to secure consumers’ rights,” said Keshav Raj Ghimire, chief administrator of UWTC.

This growing shopping mall culture is also likely to attract more foreign customers. The trend of shopping malls started with the establishment of Bishal Bazar that opened with 275 shops in 1969. Bishal Bazar is the oldest mall in Kathmandu. This shopping centre was, however, opened targetting foreigners initially but later on it became a favourite shopping destination for Nepalis too.

Currently, shopping malls are an inevitable part of Kathmanduites’ lives. Bhatbhateni, Kathmandu Mall, Pashupati Plaza, Blue Bird, Kasthamandap Bazaar, United World Trade Centre are only some of them.