Krishna Handlooms

I happened to visit an art shop in Mahabalipuram a couple of days back. Although the shop is called ‘Krishna Handlooms’; the shop hosted a number of products, including pendants, gift items – mostly handcrafted, etc. The product range seemed to vary from cheap lockets/pendants to expensive items like jewellery.

The shop was a small one, and had items displayed all over the place. The entrance of the shop was filled with pictures of the travels of the owner, a Mr. Vinu. Mr. Vinu has been in this business from the past 15-16 years, and has had the legacy passed on from his father. In fact, the shop was the first of its kind to be started in Mahabalipuram area.

 The market of the shop mainly consisted of tourists visiting Mahabs, and hence, fall was the peak season of the business. During that time, the shop caters to multiple clients at a time, with Mr. Vino employing 3 more people to assist him with the sales. The shop was a retail one, with very less scope of wholesaling, which is mainly due to the product range (handcrafted). Mr. Vino and a few others themselves make these products, hence there is no point of contact that they buy their items from. During off season, the items are prepared as there are not much selling opportunities.

The shop’s main marketing is mostly word-of-mouth, and on a return customer base. The shop also hosts sales and offers discounts on the items during the off seasons. Although there are a few other art shops as well in the vicinity; offering similar kind deals, Mr. Vino comments saying that the quality of the product is the main parameter that a customer wants and his shop hosts the best ones around.

-Sunny