Supremo 2001 – A Consumer Expo

Those who remember the rise and fall of a brand called Star Comics (in the mid to late '80s) will remember Amitabh Bachchan featuring for the first (and last) time in comics as a superhero with an alternate identity called Supremo. Feeling like a supremo doesn't need you to be a superhero these days, or even a superstar - it is enough if you have some purchasing power and happen to be at a place like this one (actually, you can even skip the first requirement). You'll have salesmen who'll dance, sing and perhaps even do the full M for you if you are willing to take a closer look. That liberalization thing really did something, huh?

Supremo 2001, a consumer expo organized by Supremo Trade Fairs, showcases this choice and variety. Though the focus is clearly on electronic goods, a number of products from comics and toys to embroidered dress material from Kashmir are displayed.

The first half of the fair, though, is dedicated to showing off the latest and the greatest of household electronic goods. Giants like LG, Panasonic, Samsung, Philips, Sony, Whirlpool and Sharp and a number of others are selling TV sets, refrigerators, music systems, washing machines and other such products that make life so easy. Exhibition discounts and exchange offers make the fair more interesting for the really serious shoppers.

The fair gets a little chaotic at this point, with shoes, digestive tablets, toys, soda-makers, dress material and a whole lot of products vying for your attention - as also, like we remarked, a whole lot of salespersons and stall-keepers.

To list some of the varied products on display, there are gas stoves, artificial flowers, key holders, aluminum ladders, ties, exercise equipment, encyclopedias, easy chairs, curtains, paintings, kitchenware, trousers, dry fruits, saris, carpets, table mats, electronic diyas, furniture, lazy bean bags, leather accessories, kurtas… (whew!). Many of these have free home delivery.

One complaint you might have is the lack of breathing space, and consequently browsing space, in the fair. You might suffer from mild claustrophobia at times, and pesky salesmen might make you feel like carrying a flyswatter around. But if you are a compulsive shopper and live for discount offers, if you like being surrounded (hounded is more like it!) by salesmen offering you the sky at the price of dirt, then Supremo 2001 might be the place for you.

CS