Kudumbashree, the State’s women empowerment and poverty eradication mission, has started making available a handful of products made by its microenterprises on Amazon.in
The products introduced on a pilot basis include liquid dish wash, hand wash, and floor cleaner, with plans to upload 110 products on the e-commerce platform within a month.
Though Kudumbashree’s products, manufactured by its women microenterprise units, have wide acceptance in the State, the association with Amazon will allow it to offer a diverse range to more consumers across the country.
Orders too have started flowing in, with the first coming from Himachal Pradesh.
The convergence with Amazon has been made possible through a project called Amazon Saheli, developed for promoting rural women microentrepreneurs. The tie-up is expected to increase visibility for Kudumbashree nationally.
With the demand for Kudumbashree products increasing by the day, the mission has started exploring new marketing platforms to meet customer requirements. These include permanent markets, nano markets, kiosks, and so on.
Online portal
The mission had also launched an online portal www.kudumbashreebazaar.com some months ago for marketing its products. The portal not only has products but offers services too. Delivery is made through India Post. The portal, Mr. Harikishore says, is on track, and to improve sales, marketing through social media and online advertisements is under consideration.
“Kudumbashree is targeting three market entry points. First is the traditional markets such as fairs, festivals, and monthly markets and the second, fixed markets where we target shops and supermarkets. The third is the online space where Kudumbashree products are available through our own portal and Amazon,” says Kudumbashree Executive Director Harikishore S.
The products displayed on Amazon will include toiletries, kitchen equipment, handloom and handicrafts, jewellery, beauty care and Ayurveda products, but no food products.
Entrepreneurship training has been completed. A central inventory called the Amazon Saheli centre has been set up in the Kudumbashree office, and an exclusive representative has been posted.
Five products from the entrepreneurs are stocked at the centre always; depending on the order, the stocks are replenished. Gradually, product addition and direct SMSs to the entrepreneurs on orders may be introduced. The formal MoU with Amazon will be inked soon. Kudumbashree plans to tie-up with other e-commerce players too.
