I visited the Decathlon Bannerghatta store today morning, as i had to get some Mesh Cap for my trip this weekend. went directly to the swimming section (as i kind of pretty much know where each one is there in the store by now) ,  took it, billed it, and stepped out of the store. only then i saw a bunch of kids coming into the store. Then i remembered a discussion when i was doing billing, between someone and the store staff, about some school kids arrived in the front area and that person asking the staff about sending the kids in two sections, as there are about 120 kids out there, and it becomes little difficult to manage that huge number as a single bunch there. 

First, i took out my phone, to take a picture of two kids coming in the steps towards the store. "wait!!!!! why am i taking my phone out, when i have my weapon inside the bag??" - that was the immediate question which ran thru my mind. yes, i did have my 7D in my bag, as i was packed for this weekend trip. 

All the kids were waiting eagerly, to see a huge store open for them.. only restriction for them was, the teachers asking them to be in the line!!! but it would not be possible to manage and keep track of them if otherwise. 

They all were going around as pair of two kids. looked like a snake from far. Then there was a discussion on  how to go from there, to visit the entire store. And one teacher came with the approach of, going zig-zag.. and Yes, thats the best way to go around..

And then i was made to realize that its getting tooo late to get to office, by some random call center call. it was already 10.45, and i had to be there in office by 11. so, i had no other choice, and i had to switch off the camera (though i would have liked to continue clicking and running around there..), and head to office in auto-rickshaw, instead of taking bus (so that i will have a chance of reaching on time atleast..) 

Yes !!!! its in Bannerghatta Road also.. that too just 400mts from my place ie Kalena Agrahara.. to give a more info on its location, its around 1.5kms from Meenakshi Temple/Royal Meenakshi Mall in the Bannerghatta Road on the left side... OR its 5.5 kms from the Jayadeva flyover towards Bannerghatta National Park OR its 1.5 kms from NICE Road Bannerghatta Road Toll booth towards Jayadeva/BTM...





For the exact location , please check the map above.

Now that i have given enough details on its second location in Bangalore (the first Mega Store is in Sarjapur Road), whats special about this store?? well, this is all-in-one store for sports and adventure related products.. you can find all kind of sports accessories  and for all kinds of sports here... from scuba-diving gears to roller-scating shoes to bi-cycles to gym-equipments to golf-kits to dart game products to anything and everything related to sports, including the sports wears for all those sports.. 

And this also has all kind of adventure gears, for all type of activities like hiking, ice-skating, rock-climbing, trekking, camping and all weather accessories.. i bought all the stuffs for my trekking trips like hiking stick, snow proof shoes, waterproof jackets, sleeping bag which can withstand upto -25degrees, all in this store only (in sarjapur store).. the great thing about this store is that, you can challenge anyone, that you wont get these items cheaper anywhere in India than this store.. thats right... anywhere in India... but, you wont find the most popular brands like Adidas or Nike or Reebok or any of your fashion brands.. some brand names i heard for the first time in this store, like Quechua, Artengo... but those are popular in the other part of the world i think.. other than the brand names, quality wise, it does match any of those costly brands.. some even performs better i think... but still, there are top class brands like Head , Babolat and other top tennis racket brands available in this store.. so, its all about the quality products, which i always care about.

The main motto of this store, unlike any other store, is that, "Try it, before you buy it".. and this is applicable to all the clothes you buy, to any of the product like camping-tent.. you can actually try it yourself, to check whether it suits you... most people even take a ride in the bicycle inside the store for trying it out, and also take a round in the skate-board , before they buy it or even just for fun.. and when you need it, there are well qualified staff there, who are capable of explaining things which you are looking for.. each one is really specialized in those products which they take care of. and they even suggest you what suits you best, if you dont have any idea about it. which is really unique about this store.

Apart from these products inside the store, there is a sufficient space in-front of the store, for having a trampoline for kids, mini-football ground, and mini-basket ball ground (only in Sarjapur Road store), mini-portable-swimming-pool also (only in Sarjapur Road store), etc, etc all free for use, even if you dont buy any product. About the buying part, this is a store for MEMBERS ONLY!!!! yes.. not open for all shoppers... but, you can get free registration and become a member, IF you are part of any Decathlon recognized Organization or Association or Group or Retailers.. for knowing whether your Organization is recognized, just call them and check.. 

well, there is an online store also, but you'll definitely miss the fun and experience of going to the store and getting things from the store.. The Bannerghatta Decathlon store became functional from last Friday (ie December 23rd 2011) and the store is  open from 8am to 8pm (hopefully its same like the Sarjapur Road store) .. still, just for the info, the website is http://www.decathlon.in

So, everytime i needed some stuffs, mostly for my trips, previously i had to travel all the way to Sarjapur Road, after carmelaram railway station.. going and coming back itself was like an adventure for me.. but a worthy adventure, as when u enter the store, you'll get definitely amazed by the whole store open for you, under single roof.. Now that this is just like next door to me, i can utilize it to the full extend... and now there will be lot of Quechua and artengo and kipla products in my home..