Minister for Handlooms and Textiles Dr S Sundararaj inaugurated the sale of handloom articles made by the Toda tribals of The Nilgiris district at Co-optex showrooms in the city, recently.
The initiative is part of an effort to market handloom products manufactured by various sections of society, at Co-optex outlets. Presently, a variety of handloom products, including attractive shawls and handbags made by Todas, are being showcased.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Minister said the sale of handloom saris weaved in West Bengal had subsequently been launched in Co-optex showrooms. “We are procuring handloom saris from cooperative societies in that State (West Bengal) for our showrooms with minimal profit margins,” he added.
Co-optex, Sundararaj said, was generating profits, of late. “Co-optex outlets have recorded sale to the tune of `245 crore in 2012-13. Of this, the sale during the last Deepavali festival season alone was `101 crore, which is a record of sorts,” he added.
In his address, Harmander Singh, secretary, Handlooms and Textiles, laid emphasis on customer satisfaction. “Show 100 saris to a customer. I am sure, they will select one of their choice,” he told the Co-optex employees.
U Sagayam, Managing Director, Co-optex, said that the sale target for this fiscal had been fixed at `400 crore. “Last year, we made a record sale of `245 crore. This year, we are working on achieving the estimated target,” he added.
Earlier, prizes were distributed to the winners of Thanga Mazhai Thittam (Golden Shower Scheme), another initiative by Co-optex, for attracting more customers.