Need Spare Parts for your Bike?? Look no Further!!

On 18^th May at 4 o’clock in the evening, a time when people in offices take a short break from their daily work schedule, I happened to be in Mahabalipuram; a town approximately 10km away from college. While proceeding through the market I came across a store retailing bike parts; the store’s name was Krishna Automobiles. While observing the store from a distance I noticed it was the only shop within the area which dealt in a category of automotive parts. Among the products available at the store were tyres, engine oil – couple of brands such as Castrol and Servo, Brake Levers, Oil Seal Kits, headlight masks, chain sprockets etc. A single salesman was at the sales counter attending customers.

I approached the salesman for more information; upon enquiring about the shop I was informed that it had been inaugurated approximately four months ago and was run by him, i.e., the salesman was also the shop’s owner. According to him, the number of customers per day ranged anywhere between 50 and 60 with approximately 30 to 40 customers actually buying from the store. The average sale of parts touched Rs.5000/- to Rs.6000/- per day. The fastest selling products were tyres and engine oil which was evident from the fact that those products were the most prominently displayed merchandise in the outlet.

During my visit to Annupuram, in the near future, I hope to come across more automotive parts retailers or bike repair shops and present the similarities/differences between businesses run in a large town like Mahabalipuram and businesses run in a small town like Annupuram. 

Ankit Singh Thakur

FT13409