Apparel Online India Magazine May 1st Issue 2018 | Page 29

H2F
ESSENTIALS
Few companies
claim that even
in this scenario
business is okay and
expect a standard
growth of 15 per
cent. Like Rakesh
Aggrawal, Owner
of Delhi-based
Laaj International,
a 40-year-old
company exporting
to Latin America,
Australia and
UK, says that the
business is going
reasonably well
and doesn’t see
many issues.
Irrespective of
all challenges
and the growing
Indian retail, many
exporters are
not keen to work
with domestic
markets as they are
uncomfortable with
payment terms, low
volumes, and the
working systems of
retailers. Moreover,
some exporters
still don’t prefer to
work with buying
agents and termed
it moving into a
‘vicious circle’.
Ganpat Mehta (L), Co-owner, Arawali Exports, discussing the products with the buyers
regular customers have quit the line
altogether. But we are constantly
taking steps to overcome these
challenges. We are also focusing
more on designs as I believe if you’re
design-oriented you can cater to
your customers otherwise the buying
market is very average.”
The company specialises in
handlooms and surface ornamentation
and it has capacity of manufacturing
1,00,000 pieces a month.
One more such example is from
Jaipur – Ocean Home Store,
renowned for its prints, exporting
products into USA, UK, France and
Japan, and associated with brands
like Ralph Lauren and Anthropology.
The company is actively exploring
new markets like Australia, Canada
and also resorting to online business.
For past two years, it is expanding
its business by working on flooring,
woven cushion and small upholstery
furniture with external vendor
support from UP and Panipat.
Jayanto Chatterjee, Creative Head
of the company shared that the
organization is doing its best to grow,
and more efforts will be taken for the
same. The company also has 3 stores
across Jaipur to tap domestic market.
As sustainability is in the core of the
industry, in the long run it is cost-
effective too; few companies are also
focusing on it by various means. Well
known Jaipur-based export house
Cheer Sagar who has larger focus on
its collection, is all set to introduce
recycled material-based products.
“There is a lot of scrap in the factory
that has no resale value, so we
are processing it to make recycled
products, which will be a part of
our catalogue soon,” adds Rishika
Saini, Merchant of the company. The
company’s present collection is full
of pastel colours and embroidery. It
uses traditional aari embroidery to
uplift the local artisans.
Vireshwar Vijay, Senior Manager Merchandising,
The Reed and Shuttle Company
Naveen Kapur,
MD, Good Earth India, Noida
On the contrary, there are few
companies that are of the view
that own efforts/initiatives will be
fruitful only if the Government
changes its policies or systems,
be it delayed refund of GST or
other policies. Ganpat Mehta,
Co-owner, Arawali Exports,
Jaipur shares his opinion: “The
market is on an all-time low and
business is going on as usual. It
is very difficult to get new buyers
or success in new markets. We
have added new line of handloom
throws in our collection as its
demand was forecas ted, but much
more than that is needed.” Arawali
Exports is offering a wide range
of home products and is focusing
more on compliance. The company
is certified by Sedex, Fair Trade
Forum India, Smeta and few
more agencies.
“Export market is not generating
much demand, so the innovation
isn’t really helping since prices
are high. We have to take into
account these factors to survive.
We are keeping limited volume
and output to sustain this business
environment. Imposition of the
GST and no returns yet has
jeopardised the business,” says
Vireshwar Vijay, Senior Manager
Merchandising, The Reed and
Shuttle Company, Noida. He aptly
concludes: “In this environment
there is a cost of doing the business
and there is a cost of not doing the
business; these times are making
us choose lesser of the two evils.”
www.apparelresources.com | MAY 1-15, 2018 | Apparel Online India
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