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.
VIP suitcase I purchased at Viveks Mylapore during 1986 with 2 side locks and Stainless steel Key at the centre…Still I have in my home..kept it for Memory..My First Flight Abroad started @1986 with Vivek VIP suitcase.
Good memories 40 years…good quality…
Thanks 🙏
Can you share here a photo of that suitcase? Where are you based now? Where were you then?
In business one has to be fast in taking decision Vivek continued with old tradition but with online sales and better discounts throughout people no longer wait for occasions to buy. Further the price of consumer goods online is much cheaper than in shops.
I was in Vivek Purasawakkam from 1989-92..as Showroom Sales Person in their branch! Mr. Chandrasekhar/ Partner was in this branch he said in on the eve of new year 1990 staff meeting that they are going to join with Vijay Vahuni group to start a mall in Vadapalani where Vivek will be the main store in that and he has shown the drawing also with pics model. So, there will be gud opportunity for us. Later, I left in 1992 but that mall he mentioned never started. Vijay Vahuni they joint with other concern and opened it in late 2000 or after that. That is now D mart is there, theatre complex was also there. Then vivek become corporate company and named as …. Viveks Ltd.. His second son was looking after that Purasau branch ! . Later in 2008 I went there and bought washing machine but I was in touch with the staff there for sometimes. All the brothers of Mr. Chsbdrasekae were in their Corporate office at Luz. Once I visited for a project for my marketing research. But later I lost contact. I think the advent of online stores mostly affected these stores. But still Vasanth is managing. Earlier Viveks were into some Manufacturing also but what happened I don’t know.. They were the main distributors of Cycle brand agarbathis at Bengalur. It’s got gud reputation and gained customers confidence when VGP gave EMI customers seized goods to the new customer! But why they closed no answer ? Probably their 3 rd generation were unbale to face the online sales. But Vivek name always hold gud reputation they shld start in the same name any fast moving consumers items ! Hope everything will be alright soon.. and this closures is only to come back more stronger, powerful and long lasting! Wishes Vivek’s ! Missing U Lot !👍🌹❤️🔜
A popular name in consumer products from 1989 to 2025.Sad to hear it’s closing.nostalgic memories goes back to 90s where I am a regular customer of viceks.Good luck for future.Nothing can stand against time
One of the reputed chain-store, sad to see the shutdown news..
We got our Sricity apartment items purchased from Viveks T Nagar Shop prior to Covid they should move into like lulu mall
The arrogance approach of the owners to the suppliers and business associates set the business grave for themselves. The business is a case study on how one should not be greedy and show high handed approach to the suppliers & business associates who are the blood stream of their business survival because they are neither manufacturers or patent holders, they are just resellers / dealers of various brands.
Look at other business chain of the same years that continues to expand even today. The difference is humbleness of owner, the he had tough negotiator to transact with companies, his ever smiling friendly approach to all vendors and business associates transferred the reigns to the next generation now and they continue to expand now . Therefore it’s not market dynamics, chains ofvthise days still expand, newer chains were successful too.
MOROL : Stay Humble when Success is Blessed. Donot throw your weight on the people who were ladders of your growth.
I was only expecting this ! I had already reported the rude behaviour by the store manager at the Vadapalani outlet. He was harsh and not prepared to.honour my warranty wrt the 50″ SONY LED TV purchased from them ! In fact I have been a long time customer having purchased a geyser, philips music system, haier dvd player and quite a few electronic items. I reside in Vadapalani for 22 yrs and they were here surving during the entire period only to.shut down now ! Of course I havev started to buy online from.Amazon. mi & Flipkart today, also one of the reasons why they probably have starred to lose customers ! While I see Vasanth & Co. opening more branches and Girias / Satya advertising, strange that Vivek’s should have dropped shutters. Requires some good brains to manage !?!
Really I am very deserted this information of this closes of many business deals are shutting down in very prominent area of this Mylapore Chennai because when I was in Mylapore during my college studies in Sanskrit College I am frequently visited this shops every Friday evening to do some puja and really it will reflect the good deal of their business feedback of respectfully
Vivek was named after Vivekananda.
Lost business due to shif in retail business dynamics and failed to adapt to the aggressive expansion and introduction of large-format multi-brand retail by rivals like Vasanth & Co which captured massive market share across Tamil Nadu with deep discounting, aggressive local marketing, and rapid store openings. Even handed over several outlets to Vasanth & Co.
A good deed indeed. Vivek’s outlived its business of selling white goods, hire purchase and New year Sales. It is high time they moved out of FMCG business. They should look out for something more pragmatic and value in future diversifying their activities more relevant in today’s context. There are so many players in the field of home appliances business and struggling to get a foothold and withstand the onslaught of e commerce giants. The fields in solar Power and wind energy prospectively better options to look into . As a long time customer of Viveks, of late I saw dwindling crowds in store and once charming atmosphere now fades to disappearing shelf spaces. Best of lucks for their new endeavour.
I’m Ameen from Pazhavanthangal Chennai worked in Vivek’s purasawalkam showroom as store’s keeper in 1985. I have learned from Mr. B. A. Chandrasekar Shetty
Sad i was regular to their New year sales very nice place in 80s
Iconic Brand and store when I heard the news of closing of the stores felt really bad