Ludhiana manufacturers exploring online retail

LUDHIANA: Ludhiana, once dubbed as Manchester of India, is also looking for opportunities beyond brick-and-mortar businesses. The vendors of global brands such as Walmart, Gap, Nautica, Nike, Reebok and Polo are now creating their own online platforms to tap the international market directly.

Illustration: Sandeep Joshi

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 14

Ludhiana, once dubbed as Manchester of India, is also looking for opportunities beyond brick-and-mortar businesses. The vendors of global brands such as Walmart, Gap, Nautica, Nike, Reebok and Polo are now creating their own online platforms to tap the international market directly.

Spencer Knitwears, the company that catered to the niche market segment for over 25 years, is now determined to go online. Sonia Thapar, one of the directors in the company, says her son has already started online trade from Australia. She is also planning to go online soon.

It is no longer necessary for businesswomen like Thapar to be well versed in information technology (IT) to start online shops. They can always hire technical experts. “At present, we are focusing more on silhouette, cuts, colours and fabrics and getting ready for the online market. Since we are not acquainted with IT, so we will plan to hire a team for the same,” said Thapar.

Companies like Monte Carlo went online six years ago and currently sells through its own and e-commerce sites. Monte Carlo Vice President-Marketing Pankaj Kumar says that the online market will mature after a couple of years.

The major advantage for online selling is that the consumers cannot have the touch and feel experience and sometimes due to this factor the companies are able to clear their stock which gets stuck in the retail market. “Old product is re-finished and sold online,” he said.

Kazaro International that deals in women wear is soon going online. “The online business is the demand of present times and there is no harm in making business online,” Kazaro International Managing Director Sanjay Kapoor said.

“It just needs extra planning for a warehouse and an IT team to start business online. I am also preparing for the same and focus will be on designing, display and photography before launching my own website,” he said. Kapoor initially plans to increase his business by 10% and after demand picks up, he could expand his online presence by 20%.

Not only the garment industry but also other industries are making their presence felt in the global marketplace through internet and mobile apps.

Ludhiana-based Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are trying to create their own brands in the online market. Hosiery, knitwear, clothing, cycle and cycle parts and auto-parts are selling their products online.

Avon Cycles is selling its products through their own website besides having presence on the e-commerce portals such as Amazon and Flipkart.

“We have more than 50 models available for online purchase. India is consistently and continually adding internet users and online retail will continue to grow in the years to come,” said Rishi Pahwa, Joint MD, Avon Cycles Ltd. Oxus Retail Pvt Ltd has 10-15% of its business online and it is getting good response from the market.

Looking beyond brick-and-mortar stores

Not only the garment industry, but other industries are also making their presence felt in the global marketplace through internet and mobile apps. Monte Carlo VP Pankaj Kumar says the online market will mature in a couple of years.