The textile industry is flourishing every year. The textile industry has been a large part of the country's economy. However, in particular, saree has held a special place in the Indian woman's heart. Sarees have been worn for ages to honour and cherish the traditions and values of Indian culture. Women adorn themselves with sarees on traditional occasions and casual and celebratory ceremonies like weddings, festivals and parties.
If the on-growing demand for sarees has caught your eye and you are wondering how to start a saree business, you are just at the right place. To start your saree business, you need to acquire knowledge in certain business spheres. This article will help you understand the basics of the business like types of fabrics and sarees, wholesale and retail rates, and create a marketing strategy. Through this article, you will get a push to get started.
Did you know?
The retail market for women's clothing in India is ₹122,600 crore, and the saree industry contributes to 33% of the retail clothing industry?
Easy Steps to Start a Profitable Saree Business
Know the Different Types of Sarees
Want to learn how to start a saree manufacturing business in India? The first step is knowing what to sell and which varieties are popular. Here's a brief overview of different saree types.
1. Baluchari Saree
Baluchari sarees are gorgeous silk sarees woven in gold, depicting intricate patterns on the pallav and border. The designs draw inspiration from tales in Ramayana and Mahabharata, and these sarees are perfect for wearing during weddings and festivals. They are manufactured mainly in West Bengal, and the starting retail price for a saree is ₹2000.
Also Read: Best Saree Manufacturers In India
2. Banarasi Saree
Banarasi Sarees are available in 4 types - pure silk (Katan), organza (kora), shattir, and georgette. These sarees are known for their beautiful embroidery and are handcrafted in the ancient city of Varanasi. You can find budget-friendly Banarasi weaves, but traditional Banarasi sarees are generally expensive. Designer Banarasi Silk sarees made with pure gold or silver can cost from ₹50,000 to ₹60,000, and there are many handloom sarees with heavy design work.
3. Bandhej Saree
Bandhej Sarees are chiffon-printed sarees that feature a beautiful Gaji silk weave. These sarees feature artistic designs and come in different fabrics. The tie and dye designs are popular, and women love the power loom varieties.
4. Bomkai Saree
Bomkai sarees are made in the Western part of Orissa using a traditional weaving technique. They are also called 'Sonepuri sarees,' and special cotton yarn is used to manufacture them. You can get these sarees in both cotton and silver, with traditional Bomkai sarees being dyed in bright and coarse colours.
5. Chanderi Saree
Chanderi sarees are made in Madhya Pradesh and feature a linen, cotton or silk blend. If you plan to start a silk saree business in India, Chanderi saree should be at the top of your manufacturing list.
6. Chettinad Saree
Chettinad Sarees are crafted using complex weaving techniques and meticulous attention to detail. Unlike regular cotton garments, they are finely woven and feature a border of contrasting colours. Sometimes the pallu features stripes, checks and patchwork designs. You can get these sarees in two fabrics - cotton and silk. The length of the blouse fabric is a meter, and these are paired in contrasting tones.
7. Chiffon Saree
Chiffon sarees are famous in international markets and are known for their smooth and breezy texture. Chiffon sarees flaunt a woman's curves elegantly and can be worn throughout the year. Printed chiffon sarees are very popular and what's unique about them is they're very lightweight and easy to put on.
8. Georgette Saree
Pure georgette sarees offer a bouncy look and are lightweight, making any woman adore them. Georgette sarees are easy to drape and have a translucent quality, making them easily recognisable. You can find beautiful stonework and colourful designs ornamenting them.
9. Gharchola Saree
For entrepreneurs trying to expand on saree business opportunities, adding this to their portfolio can make a big difference to sales. Gharchola sarees are made from Gaji silk, and you can find weaves in cotton, synthetic silk and pure silk. These sarees come from Gujarat, and the pricing depends on the quality of the fabric used.
10. Ikkat Saree
Ikkat sarees are woven with an 'ikkat,' using a special tie-and-dye technique. These dresses are designed using colourful patterns and are dyed in silk or pure cotton. They are crafted in Orissa. Ikkat's history dates as far back as the 7th century. You can find up to around 9 to 10 varieties of Ikkat and beautiful artistic patterns to explore.
11. Muga Silk Saree
Muga silk is high-quality Assamese silk sourced directly from the Muga silkworms. These sarees are very high in demand and come in shades of red and white. If you are starting a saree business from home, you don't want to miss out on this.
12. Paithani Saree
Pathani sarees have stunning borders with peacock designs. These are high-priced since a majority of buyers are from western markets. India exports high volumes of Paithani sarees every year, so if you want an online saree business and earn in foreign currencies, you can start with this.
Besides these top saree varieties, there are other kinds, such as Jamdani Sarees, Kantha Sarees, Kanchipuram Sarees, Kota Doria sarees, etc. Every saree reflects the ethnicity and culture of the region it originates from and exudes elegance. The designs and fabric types are what make them in high demand. Be sure to research more about which varieties you want to sell before getting started.
Choose Your Business Model
Once you have decided which sarees to start selling and identified your niche, the next step is choosing a business model. Pick what fits your business requirements best. Here are your different options.
1. Brick and Mortar Saree Business
Brick and mortar saree businesses are still successful in our country, and there are endless business opportunities. A brick-and-mortar retail saree business at home can earn you high-profit margins that go up to 50%, and you can make 100% profits on low-cost or budget sarees. Just make sure you know your target audience well and understand their tastes.
2. Online Saree Business
You can take advantage of many online platforms for selling sarees online. You can sell your sarees online on shopping portals. The best way to get started is by creating your website and selling directly to your customers. Selling on other platforms would mean you have to pay a commission, but that's okay too since you get a wider audience reach. Make sure your website is SEO-optimized, and your products appear on Google Search Engine Page Results. Google marketplace is another platform where you can sell directly and link to your official shop website.
3. Wholesale Saree Shop
You can start a wholesale saree shop and let your customers act as retailers and distributors. You don't need any prior experience, skills, or knowledge to open one. However, make sure you have a well-planned sales strategy before you start.
How to Build Your Saree Business Plan
Creating a saree business plan is essential if you are serious about succeeding. Some of the key points to take into consideration when drafting it are:
- Your target audience
- Shop USP
- Inventory management systems
- Fixed and recurring expenses
- Saree competitors
- What your sales strategy is for selling various saree items both online and offline
Naming Your Saree Business
When you're naming your saree business, you want to come up with a catchy and attractive name that gets your customer's attention. At the same time, you also want to avoid trademarking or copyright issues. Using the same name as other brands can get you in legal trouble, so carefully do your research and ensure that competitors do not take the name you pick.
Also Read: How to Start An Online Saree Business from Home
How to Register Your Saree Business?
There are various regulations and legal compliance requirements that have to be met. Contact your state government and concerned licensing authorities to learn more about this. If you start your saree shop as a small business, you can register it under sole proprietorship. If you are starting your saree company with a big budget, you can partner with other companies and register it as a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) firm. You will need a GST number for operating your business since that's mandatory.
Conclusion
The saree business in India is growing, and there are ample opportunities for entrepreneurs to make the most out of them. For the last few years, many customers have been buying sarees online.
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