Modern Bazaar Departmental Stores Pvt. Ltd. is redefining retail in India by strategically expanding its presence and enhancing its customer-centric offerings. Under the leadership of Kunaal Kumar, Managing Director, the brand has maintained its growth momentum in an otherwise challenging retail landscape. While many retailers have downsized or shuttered operations in recent years, Modern Bazaar continues to flourish, driven by an innovative approach and a keen understanding of customer needs.

Steady Expansion Amid Challenges

“Unlike many other retailers, we’ve chosen to expand aggressively,” said Kunaal Kumar. “In the last couple of months, we’ve opened a new store in Greater Kailash and another in Faridabad. Looking ahead, our next two locations include Connaught Place and Terminal 3 (T3) at Delhi Airport.”

Modern Bazaar’s focus on premium and strategically chosen locations reflects its growth strategy. Kumar emphasizes the importance of selecting sites that cater to the brand’s audience. “We’re very particular about where we open stores. These places are carefully studied to ensure e-commerce does not overly affect us,” he explained.

By the end of the year, Modern Bazaar plans to operate 25 stores, including the expansion of its “express format” stores. “We’re also considering opening more express stores, which are smaller, around 1,500 square feet. The express format focuses on stocking the 70 percent of products that sell the fastest,” Kumar added. “This format optimizes space while delivering what customers need most efficiently.”

“Our express store in Aerocity has been a resounding success,” Kumar shared. “The per-square-foot sales at this store are better than any of our larger outlets.” By focusing on high-demand products, the express format efficiently caters to customer needs while optimizing operational costs.

Regional Focus and Future Expansion

Currently, Modern Bazaar operates 20 stores in Delhi, and 2 in Chandigarh, and is exploring opportunities in new markets. “We’re in talks to expand to cities like Dehradun, Lucknow, and Ludhiana,” Kumar revealed. “Next month, we’ll open another big store in Mohali, which will span 4,000 to 5,000 square feet in a premium format.”

Faridabad, a Tier II city, recently welcomed Modern Bazaar, and the response has been promising. “Tier II cities are where the growth lies. We’re studying customer preferences in Faridabad to replicate our success in other smaller cities,” stated Kumar.

Omnichannel Excellence

Modern Bazaar has embraced omnichannel retailing, ensuring a seamless experience across its physical stores and digital platforms. “We’ve relaunched our Modern Bazaar app, which allows customers to order and receive deliveries within 59 minutes,” Kumar stated. Unlike traditional quick commerce models that rely on dark stores, Modern Bazaar uses its existing stores as pickup points, leveraging its extensive physical presence in Delhi NCR.

“We’re not just competing with quick commerce,” Kumar explained. “Our customers value quality and variety. Whether it’s fresh produce, properly packed non-veg items, or luxury gourmet products, our supply chain ensures everything is delivered fresh and in perfect condition.”

Despite the rise of e-commerce, Kumar insists on maintaining the in-store experience. “Only 10-15 percent of our sales come from the app. We’ve built luxurious stores that provide a unique shopping experience. We want people to visit our stores and enjoy what we’ve created,” he noted.

Curating Categories with Expertise

Modern Bazaar’s diverse product range caters to a wide audience. “Our top categories include imported gourmet goods, which make up 20 percent of our sales, high-quality non-veg products, and our own bakery,” Kumar explained. “The bakery is a standout feature—every store has an integrated bakery that produces fresh goods daily.”

Kumar highlights the advantage of producing bakery items in-house. “Most bakeries make products off-site, which are sold days later. Our integrated bakeries ensure freshness and quality that customers love,” he added.

Customer Loyalty and Engagement

Building customer loyalty is at the core of the company’s strategy. “We have a comprehensive loyalty program where customers earn 5-7 percent back in points, which they can redeem,” Kumar shared. “Additionally, we pass on discounts for overstocked imported goods, ensuring our customers always find value.”

Pandemic Lessons and Resilience

The pandemic reshaped Modern Bazaar’s operations but also highlighted its resilience. “During the pandemic, we became a lifeline for grocery needs in Delhi NCR,” Kumar recalled. “Our stores in malls were repurposed as dark stores, and our robust supply chain ensured seamless deliveries, especially during the second wave.”

Kumar believes the pandemic also influenced the rise of quick commerce models. “Our use of existing stores as dark stores set an example for others in the industry,” he noted.

Financial Performance and Future Vision

Modern Bazaar’s financial performance reflects its consistent growth. “We achieved sales of Rs 325 crore last year and expect to reach Rs 350 crores this year,” Kumar shared. “Despite competition from quick commerce, our strategy keeps us in a good place.”

Looking ahead, Kumar envisions continued expansion. “In the next two years, we plan to open another 15-20 stores, bringing our total to 45-50 outlets,” he said. “We’re also exploring international markets, where we could curate Indian goods for global customers.”

Kumar concluded by saying, “We’re not stopping. We’re here to grow, adapt, and serve our customers in the best possible way.”