Rare Planet, a Kolkata-based Handicrafts startup and a D2C brand, started from scratch by Ranodeep Shah in 2017, is the perfect example of a passion project for social impact and taking ahead the legacy of Indian Artisans.
Expansion of Product Line
The startup was initially launched with the simple selling of terracotta kulhads in online and offline modes. It has expanded its product line to include indigenous handicrafts, adornments, writing materials, earthenware, home décor, containers, and jewelry all made up with clay, copper, metal, wood, terracotta, ceramic, and marble.
The expansion of its product line is the revenue model of providing Made in India products internationally. The idea was more of creating a rewarding workspace and an easy lifestyle to the local artisans of India.
With the selling of indigenous products, Rare Planet is doing its bit for the upliftment of the society. The startup does its part as its commitment to society by bringing rural-based handicrafts and décor items to the central stage at international airports, shopping malls and bookstores. The products are designed and listed by the startup’s in-house team itself.
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With the selling of indigenous products, Rare Planet is doing its bit for the upliftment of the society.
Rare Planet Empowering Local Artisans
The products manufactured by the Rare Planet are reusable and durable. Although the market for Indian handicrafts and handlooms is huge across the globe and is very renowned internationally, the state of artisans and karigars still remain poor. These are the people who have suffered a lot sometimes because of middlemen issues, low rates for their artwork, products including lack of funds for product development.
Understanding the situation of the artisans and with the aim of providing sustainable income to the local artisans, Ranodeep Shah started Rare Planet, a platform promoting indigenous Indian handicrafts and selling them via eCommerce and direct offline retail.
Rare Planet has provided a safe way of income to more than 10,000 local artisans and karigars. It has eliminated the cut of middlemen by procuring items directly from craftsmen and has provided them with a higher profit margin than they were previously making.
Artisans have suffered the most during the pandemic. The seasonal sale has seen a decline, this is where Rare Planet comes into play. They have created more opportunities, apart from the seasonal idol making income, with their expanding product line giving them access to newer markets and thus more income.
Besides providing the artisans with more orders and a consistent work opportunity, the startup also facilitates them with loans and helps them to get heavy and costly machinery and tools required for their production purposes.
Future of Rare Planet
Rare Planet is centered on uplifting rural artisans that associates more than 25000 artisans’ families PAN India. It aims to work with more artisans building authentic handicrafts from Kutch, Jodhpur, Madhubani, Nadia, Saharanpur, Cuttack and Puri by 2022.
It is also looking forward to expanding its offline partnerships with airports in India for their retail outlets.
What’s in it for Handicraft Startups?
Indian handicrafts industry is estimated to be around $7 to $8 billion market. The future is bright for handicraft startups as during the pandemic online sales of these products have increased. These startups have also cut down the cost of having a proper office space as most of their workers are working from home and supplying directly to the retailers and hence earning more profit.
Startups like these ensure a steady income for artisans. As per the D2C brand, the products are made available for purchase across offline stores and online e-commerce websites like Amazon, Flipkart and their own official websites. As per the Made in India Project, Handicraft Startups are taking up the market space pretty nicely.
