Exporters | Suppliers | Manufacturers | India

“The Internet is the first thing that humanity has built that humanity doesn't understand, the largest experiment in anarchy that we have ever had.” - Eric Schmidt, CEO - Google

On 17 Nov 2010, Google announced its foray into the online fashion industry by launching Boutiques.Com – A fashion centred search platform, which lets its users find and discover fashion goods/ accessories through a collection of boutiques customized by celebrities, stylists, designers, and fashion bloggers.

Experts say that, Google aims to become the first stop for online shoppers of apparel and accessories. As expected, Boutiques.com doesn't sell the items on its own , it just guides the users reach the best possible purchase decision with the help of multiple parameters and its internal algorithm. The products listed, comes from hundreds of online merchants such as Ralph Lauren, Steve Madden and Juicy Couture and boutiques.com directs the shoppers to original merchant's sites when they are ready to make a buy.

The big question many fashion industry experts asked – Why is Google taking such active interest in such a niche market. The fact of the matter is that, the online fashion market is a rapidly growing segment and is touted as the next big thing in the world of e commerce.

The retailers along with fashion labels have realised that now is the time to jump into the bandwagon and profit by becoming early adapters otherwise they will remain behind in the race and watch a golden opportunity being missed by a whisker.

Many fashion business houses including the exporters and manufacturers are trying to evaluate the pros and cons of such services and how much can they benefit from the same (after the hype).

Fashion accessories suppliers are more excited about this as their stuff like jewelry, gloves, handbags, hats, belts, scarves, watches, sunglasses is a relatively easy proposition to sell rather than the actual dresses or other high end products. These accessories have a predefined and widely accepted shapes and size and doesn't need too much of a - personal look and feel experience, making it an attractive segment to sell/promote online.

Fashion accessories industry has given a thumbs up to Google's initiative with a general feeling that it might become a turning point, in the times to come for the e-commerce industry. As Google itself say that - market for soft goods online is growing tremendously, its time for the fashion pundits to take a pro active approach and laugh their way to the bank.

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The latest buzz in the Indian handicrafts market is about the recent revelation that, the handicraft industry stands at $100 billion worldwide and India has just 1.2% of this market. Rubbing the salt on the wounds is another fact that, China, Indonesia and Vietnam are the biggest three exporters of handicrafts, across the globe.

Even though Indian handicrafts industry is showing signs of improvement (the first half of the current financial year was $1.07 billion, about 24 per cent up from $864 million achieved in the first half of last year), the matter of fact is - it is still miles away from the coveted top 3 slots. Union Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran recently announced that his Ministry would give top priority to put together schemes and other initiatives to promote marketing of handicrafts and handloom products. His ministry has set an export target of $2.2 billion, exclusively for handicrafts segment.

Many small exporters, owe their under performance to three main factors: unavailability of information regarding market demands, their small size and use of obsolete machinery /technology.

India has many USPs to help it become one of the major exporters globally. These factors are

• Easy availability of labour, that too at at cheap price.

• Easy availability of raw materials.

• High domestic consumption.

The handicrafts industry provides livelihood for more than six million artisans out of which a big share is constituted by women artisans usually from the weaker sections of the society.

US, Canada, France, Britain, Italy, and Germany have been the biggest importers of Indian handicrafts products. One of the encouraging sign, is the development in sectors like retail, real estate etc. which has increased the demand for the handicraft products in the urban sector.

Despite of all the positive signs which we have discussed above, there are some problem areas as well (mainly with the small scale handicrafts segment )

• Lack of application of new technological innovations despite of awareness.

• Lack of funds for setting up handicraft firms/factories etc.

• Inability to stay in touch with the ever changing trends and market demands.

• Lack of adequate infrastructure.

• Image problem - The industry is confined to small cities and rural areas and is not considered a lucrative career option.

Slowly but gradually things are improving in the indian handicrafts sector. With the renewed interest from the present government, the Indian handicrafts industry seems to be well on its way to speedy recovery. Corporates too have started taking keen interest in the handicraft sector which would further accelerate its growth. Many handicrafts exporters are also using online media as a distribution channel for tapping the western market. Hopefully in the times to come, Indian Handicrafts Exporters would be able to script one of the remarkable success stories of all times.

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Recently, the India's Ministry of Textiles announced that USA has removed Indian carpets from the list of products "produced by forced labour or child labour in violation of international norms.” The US dept. of labour quickly clarified that it hasn't taken such a decision and would comment upon after studying the findings of an undergoing research report.

The Indian carpets industry used to be largely unorganized in the 90s where in few instances of such violations were observed, however as this sector is getting more regularised, such practises has significantly reduced.

The US dept. of labour has a strict policy against import of those articles or products where in child labour violations have been reported. Unfortunately, carpets from India is currently included on such a list. Let us take a brief view of the Indian carpet industry and why exclusion from this list is very important for our carpet manufacturers.

Carpet industry is one of the oldest industries in India. It is said that, carpet weaving was brought to India by the Moguls. Due to easy availability of resources, carpet manufacturing was restricted mostly to northern India. Major centers of carpets production have been Bhadohi, Agra, Jaipur & Kashmir.

Indian carpet industry's main strength lies in talented artistic weavers, lower cost of production, willingness to innovate and ability to offer a diverse variety to the buyers.

Having talked about its uniqueness and strength, India has its fair share of weaknesses as well. The sector has largely remained unorganized and hence the lack of professionalism and the existence of trade malpractices is quite common. Another factor, which eats into their profits is the over dependence on the agents due to less awareness about the various marketing options available to the sellers.

Other negative factors include poor infrastructure, informal training and unhealthy competition at the domestic level. Last but not the least, scant respect for IPR, which results in massive duplicacy of designs and patterns which further dampens a weaver's urge to innovate.

Experts believe that, there are still a plethora of opportunities for Indian carpets suppliers and manufacturers to improvise further e.g.

• Emergence of new markets.

• Growing disenchantment of the world community with the Chinese manufacturing industry.

• Availability of better technology to lower down the cost of production to remain competitive.

• Heavy Investment of foreign majors in the Indian carpet segment.

• Acknowledgment of Indian weaver's talent in the global arena.

In the end it can be fairly concluded that the Indian carpet industry is going through a massive transformation. The fact that the traditional markets have saturated, has forced the carpets suppliers to exploit newer and emerging markets. The Indian carpets industry is looked upon by the world community as one of the game changers. Carpet suppliers from India will find it difficult to compete globally unless and until, it addresses some serious confrontational social issues. The time is ripe for Indian carpets manufacturers to begin their dominance over the world market of carpets provided they resolve the issues raised in a reasonable time.

PS : Carpet manufacturers get your online catalog today and make profits by tapping the business queries being generated across the globe on the web 24/7 . To know more , click on carpet suppliers

“India is no longer a rising power but has already risen! “

Just as I am writing this article, news have poured in that WGC (World Gold Council) has confirmed the recovery in the jewellery market due to record sales in India and China. The third quarter report confirms a growth of 12% Y-o-Y. This report has based its findings on the figures that India bought nearly 50 tonnes, or 36 per cent, more gold jewellery in the third quarter than in the same period of the previous year, while China lifted its gold consumption by 16 per cent. It further reveals that - “The Indian diamond jewellery market has grown seven and a half fold in the past 15 years, rising from $400m in 1995 to an estimated $3bn, with gold sales rising by $20bn.”

The Indian jeweller's success story has just begun. Indian jewellery retailers have scaled up and have become more professional. Tata Group purchased TanishQ in 1994, opening 150 stores in a 15-year period, while Reliance Jewels, with 24 stores, has plans for a further 100 by 2012. Market analysts further observes that many international brands including Cartier, Bulgari, De Grisogono and Harry Winston have joined the bandwagon by opening up their stores in India .

A fast growing middle class is a testament of India's growing economic stature in the world market. Experts says, the best indication of India’s growing impact on the global jewellery scene is the increased number of Indian exhibitors and visitors at all the reputed trade fairs across the globe.

It is not just the jewelry manufacturers who are minting money, the Indian jewelry exporters too have joined the party. Christmas is round the corner and the buyers in US have begun to stock gold and silver jewelry. The upcoming shopping carnival will surge the demand for jewelry by 15-20 percent.

PS : Jewelry exporters get your online catalog today and make profits by tapping the business queries being generated across the globe on the web 24/7 . To know more , click on fashion jewelry suppliers

Facebook has changed the way world used to communicate. Google treats it as its most formidable competitor and Bing sees them as their partner in success (notice, Bing powered Facebook search). Like a pied piper Facebook is leading the wave of social media making it one of the most exciting communication platform of our times.

There was early scepticism about social media that it wouldn't work for businesses and can not be used specially for b2b segment. Now it has been proved through numerous case studies that, this is one stereotype which has outlived its validity. No matter which business you are in, you have to use social media as it is one of the fastest growing medium of all times across the globe.

As more and more folks are getting on the net , corporates too have joined the bandwagon. Most of the IT companies have got their branding right specially in the big three sites viz. facebook, twitter and linkedin. Corporate news, videos, images etc. all adds up to their online reputation enhancement and management. Having said that, there are still many of those, who are all dressed up, standing in the middle, confused and clueless about where to go. This applies to most of the non IT companies.

The non IT corporates are in fix on how to maximise ROI out of their social media efforts. If companies like Dell can makes millions through Twitter, then there must be something which Dell is doing right and others are not. Below are the few probable reasons.

Corporates often fail to identify four key issues

1.Who their target audience is (age group, demographics, income levels etc.)?

2.Where they are (business sites, personal sites, news sites , forums etc.)?

3.What do they click most (their click behavioral pattern)?

4.Identify their own end goal ( sales, queries or something else...)

It is not necessary to hit the bull's eye in the first go. Multiple attempts are required to dust off what doesn't works and to discover what actually works. Continuous testing and evaluation is the key to succeed in B2B marketplace

All that one needs to take care of is that, you aren't dealing with the bots here, you are dealing with real time human beings.So, your blatant sales pitch wouldn't work, constructive and consistent communication will. Remember, SMO is a slow but immensely rewarding strategy !

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“ The heart is the only broken instrument that works.” -- T. E. Kalem

India and China are competing hard for every possible inch in the battle of capturing the highest possible market share in the scientific instrument segment. China has many advantages at the moment though India could soon outpace them in this category. Below is a brief analysis:

Crouching Tiger ( India's Perspective)

The scientific instruments segment globally offers huge market potential to the Indian companies. With the steep rise in population and the occurrences of new diseases, the governments all over the globe have renewed their focus on the health sector like never before. In India, the health ministry has taken several initiatives to improve the overall medical conditions and its availability. All this has pushed the demand for scientific instruments manifolds.

Indian companies have many advantages in this sector including easy access and availability of the raw material. So far, Ludhiana (Punjab) has been the hub of scientific instruments manufacturing, other cities are also being incentivised to gear up towards this industry. Another advantage which Indian companies have is that they have a better image in the world market in terms of being more investor friendly and offering ease of regulations as compared to China.

Experts believe that after China the world is looking at India to be their main manufacturing hub and Indian scientific instrument manufacturers shouldn't loose this opportunity and seize it with both hands.

Hidden Dragon (Chinese scenario)

The scientific instrument market in China is growing at a rapid pace. Though, China has usually been criticised in the past for excessive mass production without giving much thought to the quality, even then, the Chinese companies have continued to make deep penetration into the world markets, in their bid to emerge as market leaders.

Industry insiders reveal that currently the Chinese companies have their hold in the low grade instrument segment and the high grade instrument segment is controlled by international majors like Agilent, Johnson & Johnson, Pan Pacific, Siemens, Bayer, Philips, Oxford, Omron Japan, Hitachi, Toshiba Deng Jun and others.

It appears as if the Chinese government isn't too amused with the current standing and is taking some bold steps to strengthen the domestic companies by drafting some policies which may eventually sound a death knell for the foreign companies. Though this change may benefit other low cost destinations like indian scientific instruments makers etc.

Experts, also point out that China will eventually have to open up its economy, before it could realize its dream of being acknowledged as a market leader and when it does that it will make the battle field more even. Nevertheless, as of now china poses a serious competition to other countries in the immediate future.

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“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world” C.S. Lewis quotes

Last to last week I went to see RGV's latest flick Raktacharitra (India's own version of kill bill). The movie was at its best average and slightly over the top due to its deafening background score. There was one scene which particularly impressed me, where in the protagonist kills one of his rivals in front of lord Shiva's image and after the act bows his head in apology to the almighty. RGV himself is a an atheist and for him to show this scene might have meant to highlight the impact of religion on the deep psyche of each and every individual be it a law abiding citizen or a blood thirsty criminal.

India primarily a Hindu dominant country is a multi religion society with a great heritage of rich and diversified culture. Hindu mythology is full of thousands of incarnations of our gods and goddess and no wonder almost every other day, there is some kind of festival or is dedicated to a specific deity. God statue makers see India as a huge market segment and pounce on every possible opportunity to tap it. The sale of gods and goddess sculptures is a big business and the current festival season drive their sales to record levels.

Many exporters and suppliers have their hopes pinned on the Diwali season which is their peak business time in the entire year. A few statues suppliers also say that they observed a sudden upswing in the sales inquiries after the beginning of the “incredible India” campaign which according to them, has been incredibly successful so far.

Industry insiders agree that there has been renewed interest about the Indian sculptures from all over the world.The west is more curious about Indian art and sculptures than ever before though the slump in economy has somewhat tied down their hands which is why we get to see only few big orders.

On the other hand, God statues suppliers are coming out with special offers and lucrative promotional activities to entice such buyers. They are trying to make optimum utilization of all the resources available out of which web has emerged as their most potent weapon to drive up the sales. From booking the online advertisements or running the paid promotional campaigns god statue exporters are leaving no stone unturned in their bid to expand their consumer base.

God's statues are usually made on a variety of materials like stone, bronze, clay, wood, metal, steel etc.As a papal rule sculptors can't take much liberties when they are sticking to the religious figures though they can freely experiment while creating any other figures.

Industry analyst say that sculpture making is a serious business, which needs special techniques and years of practice so it is only befitting that the statue makers should get their due price. It is heartening to see that more than any other medium, web is helping these suppliers get their highest possible ROI.

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“ Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidise it ” - Ronald Reagan

These are tough times for the global economy as the recovery is less then desired. The currencies are being manipulated, the so called champions of globalization are thinking about protectionist measures and the threat of a wall street like downfall still looms large on the heads of many states. In the midst of all this lies the perplexed and sceptical pawns of this big game - the exporters, suppliers and the manufacturers.

In the era of globalization where we all are interconnected, a small change in some other part of the world affects the all and sundry. The upcoming trends and challenges have the potential to change the rules of the game within a short duration i.e. pawns could become the kings and kings might become the pawns, within no time. The cutting tools suppliers and exporters too know that, they wouldn't remain unaffected from the current developments.

One of the factor which worries most of the nations is the increasing impact of the Chinese economy. The China is extending its trade, investment and influence to each and every corner of the world. It seems, we are in the middle of a geopolitical shift and whenever such a shift happens, the repercussion are felt all over.

Coming back to the cutting tools industry which is currently going through a transformation, there could be a shift in its power centre too. Common concerns like growth in sales, complex labour issues and the technical advancement are the few factors which could change the industry dynamics.

Till recently, cutting tools used to be considered as an economic indicator as they are extensively used in shaping, grinding, polishing, drilling and other engineering applications in almost all the industrial settings and holds a vital place in the manufacturing world.

Amid present circumstances the cutting tools manufacturers are busy looking for more ways to remain profitable and to increase their overall production. Despite the backlash, the US companies are trying to outsource their manufacturing operations to low cost destinations. The Indian cutting tools manufacturers have decided to collectively voice their concerns against any protectionist measures which may be announced in the near future as they feel it is a policy which the west uses according to its convenience.

As of now, Indian cutting tools exporters are in a situation to negotiate better margins from the position of strength and procure more business for the future provided they don't become complacent in terms of quality delivered or meeting the deadlines. Needless to say, It would be interesting to a keep a watch over the progress of our cutting tools exporters, over the next few years.

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