KSHDCL to launch upgraded e-commerce portal soon

Karnataka’s State Handicrafts Development Corporation (KSHDCL) is set to unveil a revamped e-commerce platform soon, with the aim of broadening the reach of the state’s renowned handicrafts nationwide and internationally. The new website is scheduled to go live during the forthcoming Ganesha festival, according to sources from KSHDCL.

H.R. Rajappa, the Managing Director of KSHDCL, revealed that the existing online marketplace was launched in 2012. The forthcoming site, he explained, is not just a cosmetic redesign, but a customer-centric overhaul. A significant feature of the revamped portal will be the 'Customise Product' option, enabling customers to specify details such as size, design, colour, material, engraving, personalization, quantity, and packaging requirements. This functionality will also cater to corporate gifting and special event needs.

The revamped site will provide a comprehensive digital marketplace for Karnataka handicrafts, featuring an extensive selection of items including sandalwood, rosewood, Bidriware, Channapatna lacquerware, Kinhala toys, Mysore paintings, Ganjifa art, metal crafts, and handloom and textile products. Rohini Sindhuri, Secretary of the MSME, Mines and Textiles Departments, expressed optimism about the new platform, stating that it aims to boost the annual online sales of Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium, KSHDCL’s flagship store, to ₹5 crore within three years.

Additionally, she anticipates that the portal will open new market avenues for artisans and provide consumers with a diverse array of options.