Products of Himachal SHGs most sought after on e-commerce websites

Subhash Rajta

Shimla, July 11

The self-help groups (SHGs) of urban women in the state have recorded the highest online sale of their products on Amazon and Flipkart among SHGs across the country over the last one year. “Our SHGs have done business worth Rs 4.40 lakh, the highest among SHGs across the country,” said Rakhee Singh, Joint

Director, Department of Urban Development.

As per the report of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the second spot was bagged by SHGs from Kerala that did business worth Rs 1.98 lakh in the same time frame.

The Department of Urban Development made these products available on

e-commerce portals to provide these SHGs a bigger and regular market.

“The department organises exhibitions, fairs and special haats to help these SHGs sell their products. However, the online presence is giving these SHGs a wider, unexplored market. The initiative will go a long way in ensuring socio-economic empowerment of these women,” said Rakhee Singh.

Sold under the brand name of ‘SonChiraiya’, the most sought-after products on e-commerce portals are Kullu caps, Kullu shawls, Kullu socks, Chamba sandals, Chamba plates, etc. “The products made by the Kullu and Chamba SHGs are the most sought after at the moment,” said Kamlesh Thakur, State Mission Manager, National Urban Livelihood Mission.

Knowing that their products are being sold online and are being liked by customers across the country is very satisfying for women involved in these SHGs. “We had no idea about Amazon, Flipkart till our products were put on these platforms six months back. It’s very heartening to know that people are liking our products,” said Leela Devi, a member of Nai Kiran SHG, Kullu. “Now, we have to keep the stock ready all the time. Online orders can come any time. The sales have increased, so has our income,” said Leela Devi.

For Reena, a member of Bera Wali Mata SHG from Chamba, the biggest benefit of going online is the opportunity to show and sell their products across the country and maybe abroad too. “We are hoping that our sales will pick up a lot more in the times to come. With feedback from a much larger customer base, we will get new ideas to improve our product further,” said Reena.

The department, too, is quite excited with the initial results. “At the moment, we only have a fraction of SHGs involved in handicrafts linked to the e-commerce portals. Given the good response to our products, there’s a plan to bring food products as well on these portals,” said Kamlesh Kumar.

Most popular items

• Sold under the brand name of ‘SonChiraiya’, the state SHGs’ most sought-after products on e-commerce portals are Kullu caps, Kullu shawls, Kullu socks, Chamba sandals, Chamba plates, etc
• The state SHGs have done business worth Rs 4.40 lakh (in the last one year), the highest among the SHGs across the country
• The second spot was bagged by SHGs from Kerala that did business worth Rs 1.98 lakh in the same period