Opens its first store in Kozhikode

Odyssey, India’s one of the premier leisure store chain, today opened its 1st in Kozhikode in Kerala and 23rd store in chain.

The Odyssey store in Focus Mall is spread over 17,500 sq ft and has a wide range of books, music, movies, multimedia, stationery, toys, and gift articles as part of the offering.

Mr. Thinakkal Padmanabhan, a popular short story writer in Malayalam inaugurated the store. His major works are Prakasam Parathunna Penkutti (The Girl Who Spreads Radiance, 1955), Oru Kathakrithu Kurishil (A Story Writer being Crucified, 1956), Makhan Singhinte Maranam (The Death of Makhan Singh, 1958), Kala Bhairavan and Gouri (1993). He is the recipient of many awards including the prestigious Ezhuthachan Award, Odakkuzhal Award, and Kendra Sahitya Academy Award.

T. S. Ashwin, Managing Director, Odyssey speaking on the occasion said, 'Kozhikode is one of the fastest growing cities in Kerala and a hub for national and international trade being a coastal city. It's filled with rich heritage & culture which makes for a natural choice to launch our store.'

He added that, 'according to research the city is ranked as the 2nd best city in India to reside in, scoring on parameters like health, education, environment, safety, public facilities and entertainment, making it apt to commence our operations'.

The store stocks in excess of 70,000 books on subjects ranging from popular fiction, non-fiction, computing, self-help, health & fitness, business & management, food & drink, travel, apart from coffee table books in art & architecture, India, leisure, etc., including regional books.

One can find the best of Malayalam literature & music through the wide offering of the store.

There are a lot of products targeted at the specific needs of kids & young adults like activity books, young fiction, reference books, young classics, board games, puzzles, activity games, soft toys, scale models, action figures and branded toys from Mattel, Funskool and Lego.

The stationery section displays brands like Sheaffer, Cross, Parker, Faber Castell, Pidilite, Nightingale and ITC Expressions etc. A large collection of music titles from international to indi-pop to regional music, and in movies from classics to contemporary is part of the offering. The store also stocks the Apple iPod range and WorldSpace satellite radio.

Odyssey brings in a lot of innovative products & concepts for the first time to Kozhikode, which includes a huge play area (play pen) where children can play & enjoy to their heart's content as the parents shop without much distraction; an art gallery which showcases paintings & prints from India & around. The store also has to its credit of bringing traditional Indian games by way of Kreeda games to the city, which is hugely popular amongst the old & young alike. Games include Pallanguzhi, Vaanvaas (a game on Ramayana), Kattum Vilayattu, Panch Kone etc.

The store is a gamer's paradise as it stocks an extensive range of multimedia titles and accessories. Microsoft’s Xbox 360 gaming consoles are also on sale along with CDs which is available in two versions - CORE (the base version at Rs.14,990/-) and PRO (the high-end version at Rs.23,990/-). These are available at easy finance schemes as well.

One can find fragrances & perfumes under international brands like Jovan, Adidas, David Off, Bvlgari, Kenneth Cole, David Beckham, Esprit Collection, Pierre Cardin, Miss Sixty, Celine Dion, Love Trap, Nautica, JLo and others as part of the overall collection.

Odyssey will also retail Portico, one of India's premium and leading home décor and furnishing brand through its store. Portico products include the hugely popular and lovable linen sheets for girls with Barbie characters in pink and bright red shades. The fabric is 100% cotton and designs are available in center motif and panel printing.

Odyssey has launched the first credit card for boo