Many
new colonies have sprung up in the last few years like Anna nagar,
Ashoknagar, and KK Nagar. Each area has its own well stocked "market"
where all items are available.
Thrift
minded residents prefer to go to the main markets. There are several
market areas: some of the popular ones are at Kodambakkam, Pondi
Bazaar,Saidapet, Parry's, Triplicane, Mylapore. The characteristic
Chennai ‘mom and pop ‘ stores ( to use global jargon) are invariably
named Murugan stores. (Murugan is the name of a popular deity).
Large
stores like Saravanans are midway between the older style shops
and the newer supermarkets like FoodWorld, Nilgiris etc. Efficient
home delivery is usual, too. The other end of the spectrum is
represented by mega stores like Globus, Shoppers’ Stop, West Side
and Life Style. Chennai residents also proudly point out Spencers,
the first and largest shopping mall in India.
