Online retailer Flipkart is likely to provide an online marketing platform to handloom weavers in the State. The government is holding discussions with the Flipkart and other online retailers such as Amazon and Snapdeal to sell handloom products.
The Andhra Pradesh State Handloom Weavers Cooperative Society Ltd., (APCO) will enter into an agreement with the online retailers. Handlooms Minister Kollu Ravindra said that the initiative was an endeavour to empower weavers and give a boost to the sector as well.
“The retailers are seeking margin on sales, which may not be beneficial to them. There is a great demand for handloom products with natural dyes in European countries. The online majors are also aware of these facts. “We will break the ice. The online sales will be a reality very soon,” he says.
Weavers can promote products like Venkatagiri, Mangalagiri, Pedana, Dharmavaram, Uppada and Bandar cotton sarees and dress materials online. Men’s wear includes readymade cotton shirts, lungis, and dhotis. This apart, house furnishing products such as bedsheets, towels, and pillow covers have also good demand in the country and abroad, he said.
APCO will enter into an agreement with the online retailers, says Minister