Flipkart launches ‘Samarth’ to empower Indian artisans, weavers and craftsmen

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- ‘Flipkart Samarth’ will uplift artisans and Indian handicraft communities with national market access - The country’s artisans, weavers and craftsmen will be supported by Flipkart with a range of benefits to help them establish and grow their business, and enhance their income - Initiative designed to help uplift and empower under-served sections of society, while democratizing e-commerce - Hon’ble MoS Finance & Corporate Affairs Sh. Anurag Singh Thakur supported and launched the Flipkart ‘Samarth’ initiative by gracing the occasion as Chief Guest

Flipkart Samarth to empower under-served communities

New Delhi, 31 July 2019: Flipkart, India’s leading e-commerce marketplace, today launched ‘Flipkart Samarth’ – a breakthrough initiative aimed at bringing India’s artisans, weavers, and handicrafts producers onto e-commerce. This move will open up national market access for these under-served communities, giving them access to a constantly growing pan-India customer base of more than 150 million, while empowering them to leverage the benefits of the e-commerce model.

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Going several steps beyond just providing market access, Flipkart Samarth has been designed to support the e-commerce journey for artisans from on-boarding until they reach familiarity with the process of selling online. The host of initiatives and benefits under Flipkart Samarth include dedicated support for onboarding, cataloguing, account management, business insights, dedicated seller support, reduced commission where eligible, and warehousing support.

Flipkart Samarth will work closely with reputed NGOs and government bodies and livelihood missions to reach a large number of rural entrepreneurs, with a special focus on women-led enterprises, differently abled entrepreneurs, artisans, and weavers, who often face obstacles such as lack of access to working capital, poor infrastructure, and inadequate training. Flipkart has systematically assessed the pain points and aspirations of these groups and designed Flipkart Samarth to address their problems and make it easier for them to list and sell online.

Kalyan Krishnamurthy, CEO, Flipkart Group, said, “As a homegrown company, we are constantly innovating to find new ways to use e-commerce to uplift and empower all sections of society especially MSMEs. These small businesses are the backbone of Indian economy, going back centuries. Through ‘Flipkart Samarth,’ we are helping traditionally under-served communities access a pan-India market and engage with over 150 million customers. The initiative will help us partner with the government and add impetus to various social empowerment schemes. ‘Flipkart Samarth’ will leverage increasing internet penetration in rural India to boost entrepreneurship and we are excited about the shared value we’re adding in the ecosystem with this initiative.”

Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Sh. Anurag Singh Thakur said, “Our Government has taken a host of measures in the recent budget and during the past few years to nurture the startup ecosystem, support the MSME sector and encourage e-commerce platforms. I am happy to see a slew of private players including Flipkart have come forward and bridge the gap between local artisans, technology and the marketplace. I firmly believe, that India has much more to offer the world, than what the world has offered to India and as an example ‘One District, One Product’ of UP and similar other initiatives of other states are an extension of the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Bringing our local sellers, helping them build their brand and guiding them through the supply chain process will go a long way in building a robust e-commerce ecosystem and the ‘Made in India’ brand.”

Flipkart Samarth

Read press coverage of the Flipkart Samarth launch

Business Standard: Trying to democratise opportunity for all: Flipkart CEO on ‘Samarth’

The Economic Times: Flipkart launches ‘Samarth’ to empower Indian artisans, weavers, craftsmen 

The Times Of India: Flipkart launches initiative to bring Indian artisans, weavers on platform

Mint: Flipkart launches ‘Samarth’ to empower Indian artisans, weavers and craftsmen

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