Chandigarh
2 September 2024
DIVYA AZAD
Nicobar, the lifestyle brand that seamlessly blends modern design with Indian sensibilities, has opened its maiden outlet in City Beautiful – Chandigarh, marking its foray into upper north India. This expansion is part of Nicobar’s strategy to open more outlets in non-metro or Tier 2 cities; Nicobar is already operating a store in Pune.
“Chandigarh’s Nicobar outlet is the 20th in the country, marking our foray into the upper north India consisting of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and J&K. We are upbeat over the customers’ response as Nicobar not only suitably caters to lifestyle aesthetics but also gives them the sense of modernity without copying Western styles,” said Co-Founder of Nicobar Raul R. Rai. Co -founders of Nicobar Raul R. Rai and Simran Lal interacted with the media on the side-lines of the launch of Nicobar’s Chandigarh store.
Sharing his thoughts on the reason to choose Chandigarh as a destination for Nicobar, Raul said, “We did some research and felt that Nicobar caters to the lifestyle zeal of the Chandigarh market. At the same time, our consumers are the most important stakeholders, the moment we feel that they need Nicobar in their city, we wish to be there.”
Reacting to a question on what makes Nicobar different from the crowd in the world of lifestyle, Simran Lal said: “What makes us stand apart is our design philosophy which is driven by experiences gained by me during my travels. Nicobar is multifaceted, original and very much cast in the Indian ethos and value system but at the same time exudes an international appeal. As a result, Nicobar, as the great Indian island exemplifies, gives a pristine sense of being rooted in great Indian traditions, which are revered and vowed across the world.”
Talking about the diversity of Nicobar, Lal said: “We have also firmly established Nicobar as a gifting destination. Nicobar believes that gifts are more than just items exchanged on special occasions; they are a way to express love, preserve memories, and build connections with the people who matter most in our lives. Understanding the nuances of gifting, Nicobar offers a complete gifting-solutions both pre-curated and custom made.”
Raul, who spent 18 years outside India as a student and professional, revealed that Nicobar is keen on taking Indian design aesthetics to foreign countries as not only Indian diaspora but even others have a great sense of love for our culture, heritage, style and urge to celebrate India’s cultural diversity. “We will open outlets outside India once we have a suitable partner, who is keen to uphold values and vision Nicobar stands for,” added Rai.
Nicobar, a modern, mindful, design-led lifestyle brand rooted in the Indian way of life with a global aura and appeal, was founded in 2016 by Simran Lal and Raul R. Rai. Its product range spans apparel for men and women, house and home, accessories, and gifting, blending India-rooted aesthetics with global relevance. With 20 stores across nine cities in India and a growing digital presence, Nicobar caters to the contemporary Indian consumers seeking connection and authenticity in their lifestyle choices.
