From Middle East success to Kashmir’s future

Srinagar, Mar 4: Mohammed Nauman Thakur, a Srinagar native and a trailblazer in shopping mall management, has released a set of 5 booklets titled ‘Handbook on Shopping Mall Management: Simplified.’

The book is available on Amazon and provides a comprehensive guide to navigating the shopping centre industry.

Thakur's handbook delves into the economic impact, growth factors, and evolving consumer preferences that shape the dynamic shopping mall sector.

It emphasises the vital role shopping centres play in local economies, offering employment opportunities, and supporting diverse businesses.

This is Thakur’s second book on shopping malls, following his debut, ‘My Memoir: Essentials of Mall Management,’ which provides insights into his formative years and the inception of his remarkable journey in the shopping centre industry.

Anticipating a projected industry value of 30 trillion dollars by 2030, ‘Handbook on Shopping Mall Management: Simplified’ explores future trends and challenges.

Thakur simplifies complexities, highlighting the advantages for communities and detailing essential elements contributing to a successful shopping centre.

Amazon describes Thakur’s book as a go-to resource for mastering shopping mall management, whether for seasoned professionals or newcomers.

Thakur, who enjoyed a successful career managing super-regional shopping centres in the Middle East, is now focused on passing on his knowledge to investors and professionals running shopping malls in Kashmir.

In the Middle East, Thakur managed prominent shopping centres including Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi and Mazyad Mall in Oman. However, a personal tragedy during the COVID-19 pandemic prompted him to reassess his priorities.

Unable to attend his mother's funeral due to travel restrictions, Thakur realised the booming business trend in India, particularly the shift from Tier-I to Tier-II and Tier-III cities.

Recognising the emerging shopping mall boom in Kashmir, Thakur established ‘Bricks and Clicks,’ a mall management and retail advisory company.

The venture aims to enhance the integrated fabric of the shopping mall industry by providing quality standards and services in the development of shopping malls and mixed-use developments.

Thakur, now a course instructor on shopping mall management at Udemy with a high rating, aspires to start a school on Shopping Mall Management in Kashmir.

He envisions providing thorough professional training to shopping mall investors and executives through a comprehensive course.

“The course will teach how a shopping mall can be a perfect community centre,” says Thakur, emphasising the need for better guidance for shopping mall investors in Kashmir.

He believes they can not only make substantial profits but also contribute positively to the community.

Thakur highlights the lack of awareness of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) among shopping executives in Kashmir, and he aims to address this through his proposed school.

Thakur's envisioned school would provide deep insights into shopping mall management, covering aspects from leasing to marketing, mechanical to plumbing, and security to cleaning.

He commends Sangarmaal Shopping Complex as the most beautiful among all shopping centres in Kashmir and notes that City Walk, to some extent, is well-managed among others.

As Thakur concludes his three-decade career spanning engineering, law enforcement, and retail management, he is poised to contribute significantly to shaping the future of shopping malls in Kashmir, aiming to provide a better shopping experience and promote community engagement through well-managed malls.