Steps were being taken to open retail showrooms of the Co-optex showrooms in Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka to cater to the Tamil population in those countries, said O.S.Manian, Minister for Handlooms and Textiles, here on Friday.
“The State government was taking various steps to increase the sales of Co-optex by introducing new designs to attract youth. The online sale introduced recently has also got good response,” Mr.Manian said speaking to reporters after inaugurating the refurbished ‘Pothigai’ retail showroom of Co-optex near the Central bus stand in the city.
The showroom, spread over about 6,100 square feet, has been modernised at a cost of ₹77 lakh. This was the 50th modernised showroom of Co-optex. Co-optex, the Minister said, had recorded sales to the tune of ₹316 crore during 2017-18 and a sales target of ₹340 crore had been set for the current year. “We are confident of achieving the target. We are introducing new products such as churidars. Co-optex silk saris are largely favoured by people purchasing for weddings,” he said. Buyers can check the purity and quality of the zari in the Co-optex saris at the showroom on payment of ₹50.
The Pothigai showroom in Tiruchi has registered sales to the tune of ₹4.53 crore during 2017-18 and during the current year it has been set a target of ₹5.50 crore. The latest designs and products such as Kancheepuram and Salem, silk saris, wedding saris, organic cotton, Sirumugai cotton, kurtis, linen and cotton shirts, quilts, bedsheets, towels and printed blankets are available at the showroom. A 20% discount is offered on all varieties.
Earlier, Mr. Manian distributed eight gram gold coins to five customers under the Thanga Mazhai scheme.
S. Valarmathi, Minister for Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare, P.Kumar and T.Rathinavel, MPs, T.N.Venkatesh, Managing Director, Co-optex, and other officials were present.
