Brand your shop, a new buzz word in rural marketing !

‘Branding’ a buzz word used by multinationals or Indian biggies but is practiced by many including by retail shopowners in Madhya Pradesh. Shopkeepers in Hoshangabad district in Madhya Pradesh use ‘the so called branding techniques’ to creatively name their shops. They may not be undertaking ‘marketing research’ or using ‘advertising agencies’ but it is their local painter and their own creativity which brings in the midas touch.

Barber shops in Budni and Babai area of Hoshangbabad have named themselves as hair styler’s or hair care centre or men parlors. Particular examples are ‘Fine hair stylers’ and ‘Narmada hair art’ in budni area of the district. Others call themselves as ‘men parlour’ or ‘hair care centres’ or ‘hair saloons’. Though the service provide are hair cutting, hair setting, hair dyeing, and head message, which is more than just cutting, hence the justification. Bollywood and cricket have its influence here and one can find posters from both the sectors in their shops. Not to left behind are the paan shops in the district which have taken away the word ‘shop’ and replaced it with ‘paan palace’ or ‘paan centre’. ‘Friend paan centre’ owner in the district shares that ‘I am actually friend of my clients, they come to my paan centre, share their thoughts, we debate on issues and in all this they also smoke a puff or buy paan, hence the name. This may sound bit interesting but fact is that both paan chewing and smoking is harmful and are cancerous, and should be discouraged, which he too agrees. But in terms of ‘marketing’ all them are creatively branding their shops to gain by attracting more customers and ‘position’ themselves as different then the others, well that is what is taught at B - schools which none of them have been !