Latest news with #BhavanaMandon
Mint
7 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Inside India's first Lego store in Gurugram
I still remember the first time I held a Lego brick. It was in the mid-80s, and my father had brought back a police command base set from one of his trips abroad. It soon transformed into a suburban home, then a makeshift moon base as we added bricks and pieces from other sets over the years. Fast forward nearly 40 years, and life's come full circle as I travel the world and drop into Lego stores to pick up sets that I can build with my now 12-year-old. Yet, each visit to stores abroad, from New York to London, has always raised one question—when will it come to India? Well, that question has finally been put to rest as Lego threw open the doors to its first Lego Certified Store at Ambience Mall in Gurugram. Spanning 4,500 square feet, it is the brand's largest store in South Asia. Walking into it felt like stepping through a portal, with the scent of fresh plastic bricks, the multicoloured explosion of sets lining the shelves (everything from the Friends and Icons to the Technic and the Botanicals collections), fully built sets on display, play tables, and features that are essential to Lego stores, like a Pick-a-Brick Wall, Build-a-Minifigure Station and a rare Minifigure Factory. Then there are the uniquely Indian models and installations—a near-life-sized cricketer minifigure greeting fans as they enter the store, and a 13,589-piece mosaic of India Gate. The pièce de resistance is a scaled-down 76,000-piece model of the front of a typical Indian truck; fans can pop behind the wheel for a photo. Bhavana Mandon, country manager at Lego India, says the brand has been very mindful to deliver a rich Indian experience, and that little elements of Delhi and its cultural fabric will be visible across the store. John Seemon, a techie and a passionate Lego collector for over 25 years, acknowledges the tantalizing role that the built-up sets play in influencing his purchases: 'More than once, I've ended up buying a set that wasn't on my radar…something about seeing the finished build pulls you in…the kind of inspiration you don't get when shopping online". On launch day, the store was bursting at the seams. In between the squeals of children and adults posing for photographs with their purchases, I caught a quiet moment at the Build-a-Minifigure station where an eight-year-old girl outfitted a character to look like herself, and exclaimed, 'This is me, Mumma!" to her mother. In that moment, I was taken back 40 years, to the kid who first discovered his lifelong love for this 'highly sophisticated interlocking brick system' we know as Lego. If you're new to the brand, walking into a LEGO store can be a viscerally overwhelming experience, even as the stores are organized neatly into the various themes and categories (toddlers, adults) for most folks to walk right up to the shelves that most interest them. Close at hand are the LCS staff, all of whom are well trained to answer questions, offer recommendations, and assist with purchases, and many of them share that infectious love for building. For a brand that's been aspirational in India and sustained by generations of parents bringing back sets when they travelled abroad, the availability has improved over the past five years, with big toy retailers and e-commerce platforms stepping in. The store adds a touch-and-feel experience for the growing Lego fandom in India, from the interactive play zones where children can sit and build—no screens, no instruction, just raw imagination at work—to the Pick-a-Brick wall, where serious builders can buy large quantities of specific bricks for their custom builds. Vimal Sasidharan, a Bengaluru-based commercial pilot and a collector with close to 100 sets, says he is 'always blown away by the seeing life-sized builds in stores, and the ability to interact with incredibly complex builds up close serves as a reminder of how playful and limitless creativity can be". Lego collectors and builders, this writer included, have often bemoaned the fact that India trailed global launches by months, and some sets never came to Indian stores. Seemon says he has sourced sets and parts from abroad in the past, and had to 'deal with international shipping, and pay customs. It's been a bit of a mission every time". The certified store is likely to address this gaping void, with near-same-day availability as the rest of the world. Dhara Mehta, a media professional turned education entrepreneur, who was introduced to Lego via her three-year-old's interest in the sets, runs an activity centre in Mumbai that aims to spark creativity and imagination through these bricks. As a learning tool for children, it improves fine motor skills, spatial reasoning and problem-solving abilities while fostering creativity, patience and social skills, she says. 'This is not just a toy for kids but a superb hobby for adults to pick up as well," she adds. Ritam Bhatnagar, a media entrepreneur, is another adult super-fan who created a custom Lego mosaic for the launch. For AFOLs (adult fans of Lego) and long-term faithfuls, many of whom have kept the fandom alive despite the odds, the store is a place for community, to congregate with like-minded fans. Some, as Seemon describes it, see it as a pilgrimage, where fans of all ages are welcomed. And leave, likely with lighter wallets, happier. Fan's Glossary AFOL: Adult Fan of Lego MINIFIGURE/MINIFIG: Little Lego people included in most sets MOC: My Own Creation, anything built with Lego bricks without instructions BUILDER: Lego fan whose primary interest is building MOCs COLLECTOR: Lego fan whose primary interest is collecting official sets STUD/ANTI-STUD: The circular bumps on the pieces that fit inside the anti-studs below another piece to form Lego's interlocking system
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
The Lego Group launches first certified-store in India
MUMBAI: The Lego Group on Friday launched its first certified store in India at Ambience Mall, Gurugram, in collaboration with the Ample Group. The Gurugram store will be followed by a second launch at Bengaluru's Brigade Orion Mall in June, with more stores planned across the country in the coming years. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Spanning over 4,500 sq. ft., the store is now the largest Lego Certified Store in South Asia. 'India is one of our fastest-growing markets in the Asia-Pacific region, and we see strong long-term potential here. For the last three, we have been growing at a strong double digit growth and expected to build on that growth momentum in the next five years as well. Our strategic focus is on building a deeper connection with Indian families through a robust retail and brand presence. The opening of our first Certified Store in Gurugram marks a key milestone in this journey. It is the first step in a phased expansion plan that will see us open more stores across key cities,' India is one of our fastest-growing markets in the Asia-Pacific region, and we see strong long-term potential here. For the last three, we have been growing at a strong double digit growth and expected to build on that growth momentum in the next five years as well. Our strategic focus is on building a deeper connection with Indian families through a robust retail and brand presence. The opening of our first Certified Store in Gurugram marks a key milestone in this journey. It is the first step in a phased expansion plan that will see us open more stores across key cities,' Bhavana Mandon, Country Manager at LEGO India told TOI. The company is also contributing to the broader toy ecosystem through initiatives like its collaboration with The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the aegis of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), to support the upskilling of toy designers and engineers in India. Alongside regular workshops and build sessions in-store, the firm aims to expand access to its global portfolio and create more locally relevant experiences. 'India has a strong foundation of curiosity and imagination, and we are committed to supporting it by growing our presence in a way that puts creativity, community and long-term value at the core,' Mandon said.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Lego debuts in India with 4,500-square-foot store in Gurugram, the largest in South Asia; know what's next
The Lego store has finally opened its first store in India after a long wait. The Danish toymaker, the Lego Group, has launched its 4,500-square-foot store at Ambience Mall, Gurugram. It is the largest LEGO Store in South Asia. With the inauguration of the store, Lego is shifting from selling its products online and via other retailers like FirstCry and Hamleys towards having its own physical location. The store features over 800 products, including 250 sets that are only available at Lego stores. Lego store in India promises to be a one-of-a-kind experience The global toy giant company has entered the Indian market in collaboration with retail leader Ample Group and has unveiled a vibrant outlet. Not only that, but it also promises to be a one-of-a-kind experience, as it is a blend of physical and digital products that bring spirit to life. Lego eyes big on Indian market For Lego lovers, this is an iconic Danish brand, and having a full-fledged store in India for the first time is a dream come true. But for Ample Group, it is a strategic leap as India's economy eyes a 6.3 per cent growth in 2025, fueled by rising consumer demand and a policy push for retail. A look at India's toy market According to a 2024 Exim Bank report, the value of the Indian toy market was $1.5 billion in 2022 and is expected to rise at a compound annual rate of 12 per cent to reach $3 billion by 2028. However, Lego intends to accelerate its expansion, aiming for double-digit growth by 2032. In close collaboration with the Ample Group, we are excited to offer the LEGO brand experience to India. Moreover, according to Bhavana Mandon, Country Manager, Lego India, over the next two years, the company plans to open stores at numerous locations to let more Indians discover the joy of play, and they are establishing the groundwork for a robust retail presence. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Lego opens South Asia's biggest store in Gurugram in partnership with Ample Group
Danish toymaker, the Lego Group, has officially launched its first store in India. The 4,500 square feet store in Gurugram is the largest Lego store in South Asia. The store's opening marks a shift for Lego from online sales and sales through other retailers like Hamleys and FirstCry, to having its own physical presence. The store features over 800 products, including 250 sets that are only available at Lego stores. The Gurugram store is the first of several planned across India with retail franchise partner Ample. The next store is planned for Bengaluru. Lego is also considering opening stores in Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, and Lucknow. 'We are seeing increasing enthusiasm for the Lego brand not only among children but also among parents and adult consumers,' said Bhavana Mandon, Country Manager, Lego India. 'This store is a significant step in our journey to bring more immersive and interactive Lego experiences to Indian customers.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Katarinas partner Världens utan tvekan snyggaste man Authors Pick Läs mer Undo India's toy market was worth $1.5 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $3 billion by 2028, growing at a compound annual rate of 12%, according to a 2024 Exim Bank report. Lego plans to grow at a faster pace, aiming for double-digit growth through 2032. Speaking over the opening of the store, Rajesh Narang, Founder & CEO at the Ample Group said: 'With the launch of South Asia's Largest LEGO® Certified Store, we are not just introducing a brand but offering families a space to imagine, play and create memories together. Our goal is to deliver experiences that go beyond shopping, where every visit feels special and interaction adds value.' Live Events The products will start at ₹449 and go up to over ₹80,000 for advanced sets aimed at collectors and hobbyists. With this retail entry, Lego plans to build a stronger presence in India by combining its global product offering with local consumer insights. With this new store, Lego aims to be a major player in the Indian toy market.
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Business Standard
23-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Danish toy firm Lego opens first store in India, eyes double-digit growth
Danish toy giant Lego launches its first store in Gurugram, aiming to expand offline footprint in India with new outlets, tier II city reach, and accessible price points Akshara Srivastava Delhi Listen to This Article Danish toymaker The Lego Group expects strong growth in India, driven by the country's vast population of young children, a top executive told Business Standard. 'We've seen Lego love grow not just among kids, but also parents and adults in recent years. India has the largest population of young children globally, and we want to build on that,' said Bhavana Mandon, country manager, Lego India, ahead of the launch of its first retail store in Gurugram. Lego's first branded store in India marks a deeper push into the South Asian market. Until now, the company has been selling through platforms
