The legendary Viveks store. in Luz, on Royapettah High Road has been shut now for many weeks.
The buzz has been going around that the company which was a pioneer and leader in the consumer goods market was shutting down.
What is confirmed is that the family that runs the business has chosen to shut all its stores. But it is still to chart the future course.
Viveks’ history is rooted in Mylapore. B.A. Lakshmi Narayana Setty launched his ‘white goods’ sales business in a small store on R. H. Road, near the Valluvar statue park zone – in 1965. The big, multi-storeyed one, located closer to Luz Circle and now closed, came up later.
After the founder passed away, his brother B.A. Kodandaraman Setty took over the company. He led the expansion across the state and outside.
He pioneered the New Year sale concept – on January 1 all goods – TVs, fridges, cookers, washing machines, fans, air-conditioners and the rest – were sold at prices far lesser than those that existed around that time of the year.
Many Mylaporeans would plan their shopping for white goods only at the Vivek’s sale. Even families of auto-drivers, maids and handymen saved up for this sale. They later made use of the popular hire purchase scheme of Viveks.
The sale became so popular that people would queue outside the store well before dawn. Viveks later extended the New Year Sale period. Soon, all other brands in this retail line followed the Vivek’s idea.
