ODEL evokes the nip and warmth of Christmas

Childhood fantasies of delightful picture-perfect Christmases will be revived for shoppers at ODEL this festive season, with its trendy outlets receiving elegant makeovers in hues of silver and blue.

The iconic flagship Alexandra Place store has been adorned with stylised snowflakes, ice, crystals, baubles and conical Christmas trees in a classy and subtle transformation that radiates the ‘chill and the warmth of the season’ to mark the beginning of another Yuletide shopping season. This décor is in the process of being extended to all other ODEL outlets in stages.

The cool tones evoked by the snowflake theme runs through collaterals, from shopping bags, gift vouchers, greeting cards, hampers, signage and advertising, making ODEL’s annual seasonal metamorphosis powerfully symbolic yet tasteful. The company’s calendar for 2010 will also be launched during the season.

“Even in the tropics, Christmas is associated with a nip in the air and silvery snow scapes,” ODEL’s Head of Marketing Upendra Gunawardhana said. “The use of blue, silver and glass reinforces the image while our communications recall the warmth of giving and celebrating with loved ones which is what the season is about.”

“We want to offer an extra special Christmas experience for shoppers by capturing the very essence of the season, the spirit of joy, excitement, sharing and celebration,” he added. “This year was an extraordinary one for us in which we enjoyed tremendous success and we want to share and celebrate this with our loyal customers.”

A regular shopper at ODEL Sandra Jayasuriya, wife of Sri Lankan cricketing legend Sanath Jayasuriya, commented: “The transformation is magical and elegant, and immediately elevates the shopper’s mood. It brings back the ‘Christmas feeling’ very effectively.”

This year kids will be entertained by and can take photographs with the busy Santa from 4th to 31st December at his grotto at the Alexandra Place outlet. Santa will also visit the Kohuwala, Mount Lavinia and Battaramulla ODEL outlets on weekends and throughout the last week of Christmas.

A range of stylish Christmas theme gifts, gift vouchers, greeting cards and hampers will provide shoppers plenty of variety. Special discounts can be obtained on bulk purchase of hampers and gift vouchers.

Free drop off services within Colombo for purchases of Rs. 35,000 or more and free delivery within Colombo for purchases over Rs. 7,500 will be available for shoppers from 1 to 31 December. On weekends in December free shuttle services will operate from Town Hall for the convenience of those who park in the vicinity of Alexandra Place.

Meanwhile Embark, the ODEL brand committed to animal welfare, will launch the ‘Gift a Pup’ campaign to promote re-homing of street dogs, providing them with the ‘gift’ of a home in the spirit of the festive season.

The ODEL chain now comprises of stores at, Alexandra Place, Maharagama, Kohuwala, Mount Lavinia, Moratuwa, Panadura, Nugegoda (Warehouse), Dickman’s Road, Ja-ela, Majestic City, Crescat (Backstage), Battaramulla and at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

The recently re-launched, award winning ODEL website www.odel.lk offers online shoppers the same ODEL experience from the comfort of their own homes or offices, with sophisticated, seamless e-commerce functionality.