The colonists came to India to control the economy. Macaulay introduced English learning to create a group of native scribes to help them rule.
There were swish Western departmental stores. Whiteway and Laidlow, Hall and Anderson, The Army and Navy Store among some.
However some young Indian entrepreneurs dared to dream and set up establishments selling products largely local.
The story of retail is the story of a city. Retailers follow demand, as did the young entrepreneurs who set up their shops around Calcutta’s centers of power and commerce in the 19th and early 20th century.
The 36 shops whose stories are presented in this book are a testament to survival. They have persisted through the British colonial period, post independence, liberalization of the 90’s and now the growing emergence of e-retail.
The book weaves through the North South axis of the city. The fascinating stories featuring unusual products of these retail establishments. The Edward syrup curing battees ailments by Buttokrishno Paul, still popular today. Nalin Chandra Das innovated with Chocolate Sandesh a hundred years ago. Braganza rivals with Parkashi for the music space even today. Haralalkas trended with readymade garments and the youngsters today wish to take this legacy forward.
Some Retailers are over 100 years old and the reasons why they have survived, it could not have been easy being Indian retailers in British India till post 1857 to 1947.
Some Reasons why they were successful.
1. Leader with Foresight.
2. Saw an opportunity and grabbed it.
3. Customer came first.
4. Good to their staff.
5. God Fearing.
6. Adapted to changing times.
7. Family was important.
An interesting discussion layered with the socio political history of Calcutta
Ashish Sanyal was in conversation with Kaberi Chatterjee
A full house, excellent snacks. Kudos to Ayesha and Tia of Saturday club