Online shopping is exploding worldwide. And in the last couple of months around 30 niche Indian start-ups were launched. They offer shopaholics a range of the unusual and interesting, from intricate paper crafts to beachwear, hand-painted kettles to denim-inspired wall clocks and more. Our pick of this year’s launches:
Lulupu: Lost touch with the fine art of paper craft? This website launched by Bengaluru-based Karuna Chauhan and her husband Siddhant this March, offers scrapbook kits, quills, stamping products and more, imported from brands across the globe like Scor Pal and Fiskars. “We aim to increase awareness around paper craft through the Lounge and Gallery sections, where our customers can upload their work,” she smiles, adding that the portal’s own specialised design team helps amateurs learn techniques. Check out their YouTube channel called Lulupu TV where they upload their customers’ projects. Recently, the couple have added wood mounted stamps, Japanese Washi tapes and hot glue guns. Their customer base ranges from 10-year-olds to 50 plus craft enthusiasts. Priced between `20 and Rs 5,000.
Details: lulupu.com
Footsy: Launched in February, this Bengaluru-based portal by Seema Seth and Pooja Mehta aims to change the perception that “Socks are basically an undergarment with minimal fashion value.” Seth, a graphic designer, takes care of the creative aspects, while Mehta looks after business development. Apart from sourcing from international and national brands like Happy Sock (a Swedish company) and Auroville, Seth has her own small collection as well. “Through Footsy, the idea is to create a playful approach to the way we dress and focus on expanding our catalogue by bringing in brands unavailable in India,” she says, adding that her collection gets updated every three months. “Summer saw pastel shades and the winter collection has bright colours with prints and dots,” offers the 32-year-old. Priced between Rs 65 and Rs 1,500.
Details: footsy.in
The Beach Company: This Mumbai-based start up, launched in April, is part of Fountain Head, the global manufacturer of swim and beachwear. “The products are branded and sold in the domestic market under this label, keeping in mind the Indian size chart (from S to XXL),” says Harshad Daswani, who heads the portal with Pri Shewak. They target young parents and those between 16 and 30, offering swimwear, accessories, jewellery, bags, and sun care lotion. “We also stock safety equipment and games for children (frisbee, beach cricket), plus masks and goggles,” says Daswani, adding that they are the sole distributors for the Brazillian Havaianas slippers online. Priced between Rs 250 and Rs 10,000.
Details: thebeachcompany.in
Shopick: Launched in May, this Noida-based portal describes itself as “a market place for handcrafted Indian products.” Sourcing directly from 55 designers and artisans across India, the site offers items across categories like apparel, home decor, stationery, accessories and beauty care. “This acts as a platform for craftsmen who are unable to get online,” says Shashank Gupta, founder of Shopick. Gupta, 23, who had been freelancing as an e-commerce website developer for three years, has big development plans. “The site will ship to 15 countries including the US and UK, by next month. We will also visit several villages to source products for our portal,” he reveals. Priced between Rs 100 and Rs 6,000.
Details: shopick.com
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