EXPLORING CHOR

(“SHOR”) BAZAAR,
MUMBAI
SUBMITTED BY
Gyanendra Tripathy PGPM-22-029
Rishabh Aditya PGPM-22-053
Saumya Sharma PGPM-22-060
Presented By Team A7 Somesh Kumar PGPM-22-066
Viveka Vate PGPM-22-073
I. Introduction

The objective of this report is to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic
and lively atmosphere that characterizes Chor Bazaar, previously known as "Shor Bazaar," in
Mumbai. By utilizing the AEIOU framework, we will analyse our observations, assess underlying
assumptions, and extract valuable insights. Our ultimate aim is to tackle the intriguing challenges
presented by this bustling market. Join us on this enlightening journey as we explore the unstructured
intricacies of Chor Bazaar, unravelling its essence for a deeper understanding.

II. Background Information

Chor Bazaar, known as the "Thieves Market," is a thriving marketplace in Mumbai, India. This report
provides an overview of Chor Bazaar, exploring its historical roots, significance, and unique shopping
experience.

Historical Background: Chor Bazaar originated in the 19th century during Mumbai's colonial era as a
hub for trading stolen goods. The market earned its name "Chor Bazaar" from the Hindi term for
"Thieves Market," reflecting its illicit trade and the emergence of an underground economy.

Transformation and Evolution: Chor Bazaar has undergone a remarkable transformation, diversified
its offerings and becoming a symbol of adaptation and reinvention. Today, the market attracts visitors
worldwide, not only for its antique treasures but also for its vibrant ambiance and bustling trade.

Eclectic Mix of Goods: Chor Bazaar stands out for its diverse range of merchandise, including
antiques, vintage collectibles, electronics, and fashion apparel. It has gained a reputation as a treasure
trove of unique and hard-to-find items, making it a haven for collectors and artefact enthusiasts.

Vibrant Atmosphere: The market exudes a lively and dynamic atmosphere, with narrow lanes bustling
with shoppers and traders engaged in bargaining and trading. The vibrant ambiance immerses visitors
in an exciting and captivating shopping experience.

Cultural Significance: Beyond its commercial aspect, Chor Bazaar holds cultural significance as a
microcosm of Mumbai's diverse identity. It serves as a melting pot where different communities
converge, showcasing the fusion of traditions, languages, and cuisines.

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III. Methodology

Comprehensive Market Visit

Observations using the AEIOU framework

Revisiting our Assumptions

Analysing, Evaluating
and Refining
Iden for
Drawing Insights
tifyin
g
Unst
ructu
red
Prob
lem

Insights gained from our market visit are invaluable when it comes to tackling unstructured problems.
By immersing ourselves in the market setting and interacting with its stakeholders, we develop a
profound comprehension of the intricacies and hurdles involved. These insights enable us to reveal
concealed patterns, identify pain points, and explore opportunities for inventive solutions.
Furthermore, market visit insights encourage us to question assumptions and explore alternative
avenues. They furnish us with real-life data and experiences that steer our ideation process,
empowering us to embrace diverse perspectives and generate original ideas.

III. Observations using AEIOU Framework-

Activities –

Primary Activities:

 Unloading and loading from a truck in narrow

alley from Dusri-Duncan Road Entry
 Disassembling auto-parts, parallel greasing of
motors, all activities occurring simultaneously.
 Manual washing of clothes in blue HDPE
barrels, making them for resale.

Secondary Activities:

 Parallel construction of roads in the alleys and

daily business operations.

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Peripheral Activities:

 People in groups clustered at a juice shop to beat the heat – juice seemed like thick, pink
smoothie.
 5 people around Hyundai Santro were disassembling it at 7:30 PM, which at the start of
our visit was standing near the shop (1:30 PM)
 Two trucks of potatoes and onion were being unloaded around 7:15 PM

Assumptions Questions Validation

Where do you
Trucks being unloaded have been source the "Jahan se bhi mil jaye"(curt reply by many
sourced illegally items? vendors)
Disassembling of the Santro must Cannot ascertain as old cars even those lying
be one which has been stolen- the Do you think in the police station yards, abandoned cars, or
tempo of the activity was very high this car has those which cannot be sold through govt.
as if in a hurry been stolen? auctions also come for disassembling

Environment-

 Despite the scorching heat, activities continued without interruption.

 A few women were present, with only one woman
serving as a shopkeeper, while the rest of the area
was predominantly occupied by men, both as
customers and traders.
 The market primarily offered non-vegetarian cooked
food options, and neither the customers nor the
sellers seemed concerned about the dust settling on
the displayed or cooked food.
 Buildings were being constructed to cater to the
residential and commercial needs of the
shopkeepers.
 The road was undergoing expansion and repair.
 The majority of the population in the area identified
as Muslim, evident from their attire and the names
of the shops.
 The shop area was compact, and the items for sale were haphazardly stacked and
disorganized.
 Every shop displayed samples to attract customer attention.
 Cab drivers could be seen resting inside their vans during the day.
 There was a lack of emphasis on safety, with clothes being bleached bare-handed and
construction workers neglecting to wear shoes or helmets.
 Temples and mosques adorned the entrance of the Chor Bazaar.
 Most shops prominently displayed the dates of their establishment on their display
boards.
 People's houses and their shops were often situated in the same building.
 Scooters, particularly Activa (scooty) models, outnumbered motorbikes in the area.
 The open-air space had limited greenery.
 Cranes and mosque construction were in progress, and the area was well covered.

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 Assumption
People were in dire need to do
their jobs as they were working
even in hot sun
Conservative and orthodox area
Everyone would be interested to
move to new buildings
Uneducated people may be less
civilized
The market is unorganized due to Where do we get the required
the appearance
Area will be managed by
government.
Questions
Why are you working in the sun
even when footfall is low in the
afternoon?
What are your beliefs?
Are you excited about the
redevelopment project?
How educated are the people
around here?
product?
Who is doing the renovation?
Validation
"Paet paalne ko karna hota hai
sahab"
It turned out that the people
are quite open to sharing their
views
Most of the shopkeepers are
reluctant to move to the new
buildings
The new generation is well
educated
The shops were all
interconnected and organized
in their own way.
The area is renovated under
the supervision of Mufaddal
Saifuddin

Interactions –

 Saw antiques being sold in a lane (known as Mutton Street), the owner of Syed Shop
specifically instructed us not to click any pictures.
 Older shopkeepers were easy to speak with- younger ones viewed us with suspicion and
questioned the purpose of anything we asked.
 Correlation between the type of item sold by shopkeepers and their attitudes - those
selling heavy machinery seemed rough in
conversing with customers - some got
irritated and reprimanded us to keep away
from their shop, those who were selling
lighter goods like umbrella, clothes, food to
eat, were more customer-centric and polite
in their demeanour.
 Unlike the popular notion as per Ismail
bhai “90% of the people are graduated.”
 One of the proprietors stated that they
typically close their shop between 7 and
7:30 PM. They store their items either
indoors or outdoors, depending on the circumstances. When asked why they keep items
outside, the proprietor responded, "Yahan kiska himat, yahi chor bazar hai” while sitting
across from the BMC office."
 Phone seller at a make-shift stall, selling Oppo/ Vivo/ to a bunch of people, heard him say
to a customer after making a sale, “Jaldi leke jaa, haath me mat dikha”. He seemed alert at
all times.
 Antique camera shop owners had Kodak cameras and they dismissed the customer asking
for a DSLR.
 One of the antique shop owners was a former Municipal employee, and one of the shop
workers said “pehle yeh hafta late the.”

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  Tyre shop owner turned down our question on sourcing - and rushed within the shop
thereafter.
 Value chains are backward and forward integrated - material from one shop is also sold to
other shops, example. auto parts are bought by auto-repair shops, etc.

Assumptions Questions Validation

Shopkeepers will not be willing
to discuss about their business
models.
There is no business interaction
between two shops due to cost
strategy
Since 99/100 buyers and sellers
seemed male-dominated, we
assumed that they might not be
comfortable talking to a woman
about their daily business.
Easy to bargain
Selling stolen phones -
"Jaldi leke jaa, haath me mat
dikha" - a mobile phone vendor
on the road cautioned a buyer:
Also he was very alert in his
mannerism
What are your They elaborated on their sales, stating that
average daily sales they sell approximately 5-6 trunks per
from Antique shops? shipment, with each trunk priced between
How many customers 25000-50000. They also mentioned their
come here? involvement in exporting these items.
What do you do with They vend the scrap parts, which hold no
your scrap parts? value to them, to other shops.
Can you tell me day They provided a thorough explanation of
to day activities? their business to the woman in our group.
What is the price for a
Marlboro lighter? We
are students, can you "500 rupees.... Isse kam nahi hoga"
lower the price? "Fixed price only"
Is the item you are
selling fake? Is there
an issue with the local Vendor avoided the question further
police? confirming our doubt

Objects –

 Cutting, grinding, and drilling machines for hardware purposes

 Household hardware items including screwdrivers, tongs, hammers, nails, and ropes
 The central presence of the Brihanmumbai
Municipal Corporation in Chor Bazaar
 Auto parts like gears, tires, speakers, brakes,
seats, lights, and LED
 Availability of shoes, tents, umbrellas, clothes,
curtains, and raincoats.
 Mobile phones, iPads, and watches
 Grocery items such as onions, potatoes, and
other essentials
 Diverse range of perfumes, including various
types of 'itar’.
 Shops offering antique decorations, vintage
watches and cameras, vintage movie posters, and furniture.
 Street stalls and small shops selling ONLY non-vegetarian food like kebabs and biryani.

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 Assumptions Questions Validation
Since most of the shopkeepers and public are
in Muslim attire, the meat shops must be Is this Halal meat Halal- as informed by the meat
selling halal or jhatka? sellers
Anything available will definitely be dirt What is the price Movie Posters in EastmanColor
cheap of the artefact? ranged from Rs 5000-5 lakhs
Goods procured (since in Chor Bazaar) What is the No warranty- once sold, "it is
would not be durable and not of superior warranty for the your responsibility to take care of
quality item? it"

Users –

 Individuals and businesses involved in the trade of automobile parts.

 Businesses engaged in purchasing clothes
for further processing.
 Buyers and sellers of watches, clocks, and
vintage phones.
 Merchants specializing in the sale of
antique items.
 Middle-class customers who patronize the
offerings of hawk sellers.
 Predominantly business-to-business (B2B)
operations within the marketplace.
 Online vendors who resell posters acquired
from physical shops.
 B2C (business-to-consumer) shops are relatively fewer and newer in the market.
 Multiple and diverse suppliers from across the country for L&T parts.
 Customers such as school students and lower-income families utilizing support wheels,
motors, etc. for school projects and improving home utility (e.g. attaching wheels to beds
for easy movement).

Assumptions Questions Validation

Sellers procure and sell goods in
an unethical manner
Most of the establishments
would be temporary
Their children will not want to
work in the family business
How do you source your
products?
For how many years has this
business been operational?
What do your children do and
want to be in the future?
Most denied to answer the
questions and walked off
"Arre yeh mere baap ne shuru kara
hai, mein hi 75 saal ka hun".
"Mera beta graduate hai, woh kehta
mein toh yahin business karunga"

IV. Topmost Insights –

1. Activities Insight: Activities such as unloading/loading trucks in narrow alleys, simultaneous

disassembling of auto-parts, maintaining rotary phones , vintage cameras and manual washing of
old clothes in barrels for resale are observed. These activities require coordination and efficiency.
2. Environment Insight: Despite the scorching heat, activities in the market continue without
interruption, indicating the determination of the people to carry out their work. Additionally, the

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 area is undergoing construction and redevelopment, and there is a lack of emphasis on safety
measures.
3. Interaction Insight: There is a correlation between the type of item sold by shopkeepers and
their attitudes. Those selling heavy machinery may be rough in conversing with customers, while
those selling lighter goods like umbrellas and clothes tend to be more customer-centric and
polite.
4. Objects Insight: The market in Chor Bazaar encompasses a wide array of objects, ranging from
hardware and auto parts to clothing, electronics, groceries, perfumes, antiques, and non-
vegetarian food. This diversity caters to a wide variety of customer preferences and needs.
5. User Insight: Most of sellers prioritize customer satisfaction and place a strong emphasis on
meeting their needs. A sense of harmony prevails within the market.

V. Identification of Unstructured Problem-

Statement: “How might we enhance the availability of multiple items with exact specifications,
considering the dynamic nature of sourcing process and the present-day custom needs of customers?”
Let’s understand the characteristics which make the above an unstructured problem:

 Volatility- in availability of goods of choice (with exact specifications), e.g. We, as

consumers, may be able to find Mobile phones to buy, but we might not get a Vivo V20
Pro 5g or iPhone 7 in gold colour.
 Uncertainty- the dynamic nature of suppliers introduces uncertainty into the procurement
process. Availability and reliability of suppliers may vary, making it challenging to
consistently procure the required items. Additionally, the unavailability of specific items
like chargers in the market further contributes to uncertainty.
 Complexity- There are multiple variables, such as product availability, quality, cost, and
supplier reliability which are in play which makes it very difficult to regulate the market.
 Ambiguity- The custom needs of customers introduce subjective preferences and
requirements that can vary among individuals. Finding solutions that cater to diverse
customer preferences adds subjectivity to the problem.
VI. Multiple possible solutions- The problem offers the possibility of multiple solutions. Enhancing
the procurement process can involve exploring various approaches, such as establishing relationships
with multiple suppliers, leveraging technology for inventory management, or developing alternative
sourcing strategies.
Conclusion:
Based on the insights gained, the report identifies an unstructured problem: enhancing the availability
of multiple items with exact specifications, considering the dynamic nature of the sourcing process
and the custom needs of customers. This problem is characterized by uncertainty, complexity, and
subjectivity.
Addressing this problem requires finding ways to improve the procurement process, ensure the
availability of specific items, and cater to the unique preferences of customers. It may involve
establishing reliable supplier networks, implementing efficient inventory management systems, and
leveraging technology to facilitate customer-specific requests.
Overall, the report provides a deeper understanding of Chor Bazaar and sets the foundation for
exploring innovative solutions to the challenges faced by this bustling market.
References:

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https://mumbaitourism.travel/chor-bazaar-mumbai

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