Khadi Village Industries to launch e-commerce portal to cash in on online fever

Consumers will soon be able to buy genuine khadi products online from an e-commerce portal to be launched by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC). [caption id=“attachment_1090409” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  This image of a khadi weaver has been used for representational purposes only. AFP.[/caption] Trying to encash on fast growing e-commerce sector and increasing demand for khadi products in the country, the KVIC has submitted a proposal to launch its online portal to the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME). “Next month it will be launched. We have completed all the work related with it such as preparation of the rate chart, photographs of products, godown, courier agreement and payment channels,” KVIC Chairman V K Saxena told PTI. The commission is also in the process of distributing 16 franchisees in states including national capital region, Goa and Maharashtra. So far, the KVIC was selling its products through its own outlets. Enlisting series of measures to promote items of khadi and village industries, Saxena said the target is to push the sales modern channels of distribution. “We have to increase sales. We are taking several steps in this direction like in the areas of further improving the standards, quality, designs and marketing skills of spinners and weavers,” he said. He informed that the KVIC is getting good orders from government and it is in the process of opening of a export cell to boost exports of these items in the international markets. “Through exports, we want to make khadi an international brand. Currently we are not exporting directly. But through this cell we will start that. Demand for khadi items are huge in the US and UK markets,” he added. Last year, the sales grew by 29 percent to Rs 1,510 crore. During the first six months of the current fiscal, the sales have jumped by about 50 percent.