Page 46 - Images Retail January 2018

AWARDS

N NATARAJAN

FOUNDER CHAIRMAN, KOVAIPAZHAMUDIR NILAYAM
. Natarajan, and by carrying in baskets
Founder before they eventually started
Chairman their fi rst outlet in Coimbatore.
of Kovai Natarajan chose Chennai
Pazhamudir as a potential retail market
N Nilayam’s for fruits and vegetables
story has been one of rags to and established the fi rst
riches, a truly inspiring tale. outlet in T. Nagar in 1999,
He single-handedly created under the brand name Kovai of products spread and approximately close to
a completely new model and Pazhamudir Nilayam (KPN). competitive pricing. 200 tones every day. Th ey
platform for selling fruits and Since then KPN has expanded KPN was the fi rst outlet have been steadily bringing
vegetables in Tamil Nadu, to 30 branches in Chennai, to bring in weighing based truckloads of oranges, apples,
which is now widely accepted four in Coimbatore, fi ve in system against the dozen pomegranates, grapes and
and adopted across the nation. Pondicherry, two each in based system followed for a onions from North to South
Pazhamudir Group had Tirupur, Trichy, Th anjavur long time in the markets. Also everyday and import produce
a very humble beginning and one in Cuddalore. it abolished the bargaining directly from 15 countries.
with its fi rst outlet being a He built a strong group system, which was very Pazhamudir’s success is the
mere 100 sq.ft. showroom in comprising 51 retail shops, prevalent in fruits and result of providing a wide range
Coimbatore. It was started by two textile units and two Vegetables trade. Th ey have of quality fruits, vegetables,
Natarajan and his brothers. restaurants with a turnover of also now introduced selling juices and associated products
Th eir interest in the fruit and `285 crore in 2016-17). cut fruits and cut vegetables to its customers, at reasonable
vegetable business started at KPN has all the facilities of in hygienic packs, which rates around the year. KPN
a very young age when they modern retail outlets while helps customers save time in seek to provide opportunities
were working in a small fruit maintaining its core structure their busy schedules. for growth and enrichment to
shop in Coimbatore. Th ey had of giving a market-like feel Kovai Pazhamudir our employees, our business
put lot of eff ort in their early for the customers in terms of Group has a huge volume partners and the communities
stages by selling fruits on carts quantity displayed, variety of product movement in which they operate.

SYED AHAMED

CHAIRMAN, LKS

ounded in followed from United
1925 by seven Nations and Ambassadors of
brothers from Japan, Australia and United
Kayalpatnam, Kingdom on the skilled
in a small workmanship and artistry of
F town named design. Th e retail journey in
Tiruchirappalli – LKS stands Chennai began with a single
to be one of the most revered small jewellery store in China
respected and trusted Bazaar in 1945.
brands in jewellery segment. LKS started its expansion
Th e pioneers in organised by opening stores across
jewellery retail expanded Tamil Nadu and slowly they to 850 people. reigns. Th e future vision
to Sri Lanka in the 1930s diversifi ed into Fashion Th e 92 year old business is of the group is to expand
with two retail stores in Retail, Home Life Stores and currently managed by eight across South India in
Jaff na and a manufacturing Banquet Halls as well. Today family members spearheaded diff erent segments of retail,
unit in Colombo. At that LKS has become a household by Syed Ahamed, Chairman spearheaded by their jewellery
time LKS had the biggest name in Tamil Nadu with an and Akbar Shah, the stores, and achieve a turnover
manufacturing unit in Sri annual turnover exceeding Managing Director. of `10,000 crore and provide
Lanka with 600 artisans. `2000 crore and providing Th e fourth generation of livelihood to over 3,000 people
Rewards and recognition employment and livelihood LKS has already taken the in the next fi ve years.

46 | IMAGES RETAIL | JANUARY 2018