Reliance TimeOut

Another Bookstore? Bangalore book lovers are really spoilt for choice now. Reliance TimeOut is the latest offering in the retail arena (after Fresh, Trendz, Digital,Wellness, FootPrint and so on...) by the petroleum behemoth. Soft( can you imagine Reliance being soft about anything? :) launched in Bangalore recently TimeOut is the first of its kind in the country. Located on Cunningham Road (See map) and spread over 21,000 square feet with an attached Coffee Shop, Reliance is trying to woo book lovers in a city that now apparently has the largest net savvy population.

What surprises you the moment you enter the store is the decor. Surprisingly well done, the colours of the book store is quite different from the normal fare. Integrating stationery, books, music, gifts, music & movies the interiors are tastefully done and very colourful.

As you enter you are presented as usual with the latest book releases. To the right is the movies and music section. The "sound domes" must be the result of research on the status of music stores in the country. Unlike other listening stations there are no headphones for people to abuse. There is a dome above your head that plays the chosen music. Innovative yes, but not practical. Since the store is continually playing music, the two jarr and make quite an awful listening experience.

A karaoke studio for the vocally inclined, where apparently, you can record your singing professionally. The Movies section (both international and indian) seemed painfully understocked. That does seem to be the story of this store, well done but not well stocked. Ask any music/movie/book lover and they'll tell you that 'more' is never enough :)

Source: Google Maps