The Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation, popularly known as Poompuhar, will capitalise on e-commerce and the social media to take the brand to the next level.
Named Poompuhar after the most ancient Tamil coastal city, the emporia sells exquisite sculptures and Indian art, including handicraft items, made by artisans from different parts of the State.
All Poompuhar products will be available online along with pictures and details. A hybrid App has also been developed by Poompuhar to make it easy for the users of smart phones and tablets (iOS, Android). It has created a Twitter page and a Facebook page and all training programmes will be available on YouTube.
Poompuhar officials did not want to comment on this. But the website has already changed with the new additions. “More initiatives will be taken for canvassing of export orders online and as well as through international fairs. E-commerce trading has started, and online trading is also expected to be flourishing,” said a note on the Poompuhar website.
“This would help to expand the customer base of Poompuhar. The new enhanced layout and streamlined navigation help customers a lot,” said Savitri S, who had come to Poompuhar here to buy brass lamps.
Sources say Poompuhar has also tied up with India Post for logistics. All the items on display have been bar-coded. More interestingly, the marketing team have been given iPads to show the items to the customers. “This would help them navigate the products easily and even take a closer look,” a sales person said.
The corporation, which made the highest-ever turnover of Rs. 30.87 crore during 2013-14, is aiming for Rs.100 crore in sales in the next four years.
Poompuhar is also planning to host more exhibitions to create awareness. During 2013-14, the number of exhibitions has increased from 130 to 150. The corporation exports traditional handicraft items to Singapore, Malayasia, the U.K. and the U.S. With this new venture, it aims to reach more countries and more customers.
