Cinderella

When you see the name Cinderella Imported Shoppe, the word "imported" jolts you into entering spiritedly into this miniature store at Amrutha Mall, only to find yourself wilting at the huddled display of items.

The good part is, from delicate crystal showpieces of distinct hues to elegant watches, from ladies handbags to travel bags, from decent crockery to imported chocolates (here "imported" is conspicuous), from mobile phones to men's sunglasses, and from lingerie to cosmetics, the store has 'em all. The not-so-good part is, it's mostly a Jack of all trades.

Still, if you are in awe of the glowing and spotless face of Deepika Padukone in that new advertisement, this store is plausibly a right destination, housing a wide range of face creams and body lotions including Almay and Olay products. Do not expect Clinique (well, as a matter of fact no cosmetics store in the city flaunts classy Clinique products) or Versace cosmetics, a Maybelline is the best that you find there. But worth mentioning is the large collection of deodorants.

Unlike big malls, this store has cosmetics at cheaper prices - an ADS nail polish for Rs. 30 to Rs. 60, a VOV colored kohl for Rs. 150. Then, a little shelf displaying their perfumes boasts of only a few top brands like Eternity from Calvin Klein and L'Oreal.

So finally, the question that has most likely put you in a predicament: who should shop here? The elite? Teenager girls? Housewives? Or all and sundry? Well, anyone who believes in the concept of parsimony can take a stroll to Cindrella. Hyderabad might have numerous big and small stores, but no number of them seems enough to put anyone else out of business.