Sreekart e-commerce enterprise is a digital e-commerce platform developed to integrate sellers and buyers in a marketplace fulfillment and contactless delivery model. VIKANT SAHAY spoke to Sankalp Chandelkar, founder and chief of Sreekart Ecommerce Enterprise to know more
HERALD: A Goan start-up is converting a lockdown hindrance into an advantage. How and why did you form the platform and when did you launch?
SANKALP CHANDELKAR: Honestly, I was always fascinated with the e-commerce retail revolution which took place in retail industries across the world, in turn swept the retail sector. The very thought of marketing, ‘Made in India’ products, to the world entered my mind when I read about the legendary ‘Jack Ma’ and his ‘Alibaba’ revolution. This very thought made my research extensive, towards the business models implemented successfully. Further, it’s deep impact on GDP, economic growth and direct and indirect employment opportunities for our youth. Growth in transactions per minute, Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) and the initiative by Indian Government, making India as ‘Digital India’ together gave a fillip to this growing digital e-commerce revolution. This revolution held on to my mind to create a unique proposition to help and support entrepreneurs who innovate new products and design solutions.
My recently launched consulting firm named as ‘Hygreev SriRam Consultants’ provides services in various areas like commercial aviation, e-commerce, travel and hospitality, media communication, marketing and sales. In my recent interactions with one of my client friends, I realised an unexplored business opportunity, to market products and services to the doorstep of the prospective Indian consumer (Bharatiya Grahak). Today, with the advent of technology it is possible to make such e-commerce platforms available, for the end-consumer with the plethora of quality products produced and available to reach out to the target audiences.
HERALD: Any financial help from any one?
SC: After few days of the first lockdown, the scene was worst in the vegetable and super markets, with serpentine queues. ‘Why can’t these goods be supplied directly to the doorstep of people? And make their life easy.’ was my thought at the outset. On the next day, my chartered accountant friend, approached me to help with the marketing solutions to one of his client, who is manufacturer and supplier of sanitisers and medical solutions across India. Putting a consultant’s hat on, I immediately gave a solution to him, “Will the manufacturer be ready to start a platform in B2B ecommerce?” pat came the reply, “You do it. We will support you”.
I was not prepared to start something like this, when entire nation is under strict lockdown measures due to Covid-19. After lot of discussion and deliberations, this very thought, looked like a perfect time to anchor the e-commerce platform. That’s how, idea of SreeKart was born. I started working on it rigorously, by utilising all my personal savings and my family and well-wishers gave a helping hand to raise required finances. No help has been taken from external investors.
HERALD: What are the verticals which you will be concentrating on?
SC: As per the MHA guidelines e-commerce operators are allowed to operate in green and orange zones only, accordingly we have put restrictions to operate only on four categories for now. Further categories shall be added as and when need arises. The four categories are (a) Nutrition basket; (b) Health and hygiene kit; (c) Fresh buffet and (d) B2B Center.
HERALD: How is your company different and what do you offer? Who are your major clients?
SC: We are ready to assist anyone across India, who wants to join us as a seller. The rates of the products to be sold here are solely decided by the seller. Registration as a seller in Sreekart is absolutely free. We charge only a small commission on the products sold. There are no charges for listing products with us. Whether a small shopkeeper or a giant manufacturer, no differentiation in terms of treatment to sellers. Anyone can sell anything here, right from pin to aircraft. We are intending to give the platform to the sellers, to sell their products globally, in this severe business slowdown, occurred across globe, due to unexpected COVID 19 pandemic arrival.
Since we are a Goan Start-up and having our headquarters here, we would love to support and encourage, all interested entrepreneurs from Goa, who want to sell on our platform, adhering to the KYC norms, MHA and food safety guidelines.
HERALD: You are trying to engage home chefs and also the local food vendors. How will you do it?
SC: We are introducing a brand new concept called ‘Fresh Buffet’ where anyone will have the opportunity to become entrepreneurs (‘Home Chefs’), by listing their home-made special dishes from variety of cuisines, on Sreekart. They can register free with Sreekart. Post verification of their products, KYC and FSSAI certifications (if needed) will be live on Sreekart.
Similarly, local food vendors selling good quality ‘Street Food’ (adhering to hygiene and safety norms), are welcome to list their offerings on Sreekart.
New category, named ‘Munch Box’, will cater to home-made packaged dry snack items, with different local flavours. Self Help Groups with quality products can also list their products on Sreekart.
HERALD: What are the essential steps which are required to be followed by the sellers who want to join your portal?
SC: Process is very easy and just three clicks away. Sellers can refer the ‘Sreekart seller guidelines’, placed in Sreekart Seller Centre, on our portal for detailed guidance. They can create an account through seller registration tab and fill all the required details and wait for the verification and approval from the Sreekart Team. KYC is mandatory, though we may give some relaxations on case to case basis, understanding the nature of business and registration with Government authority. Once verification is complete, sellers can start listing the products on our portal.
HERALD: Where all are you providing your services and how would you rate the Goa market as compared to others?
SC: We are all set to welcome all the sellers’ pan India and more than 19,000 pin codes can be serviced through our partners. But due to the current restrictions, we may face delay or no service of few pin codes (in Orange and Red Zones). I am proud to be Goenkar and want that entire world comes to Goa. I believe, Goa is a mature market to welcome new entrant ‘Sreekart e-commerce’ on board.
HERALD: Do you think Goa has the right ecosystem for your business? Are you in a mode to expand beyond Goa?
SC: With presence of international e-commerce players in the country, Goans are not new to e-commerce buying and selling. Ecosystem is there in terms of logistics. Yes, we do have the aspiration to be a national player. We are working on expanding our e-commerce network web in the nooks and corners right from doorstep of a rural manufacturer to the urban consumer and vice-a-versa. We are intending to serve and avail abundant opportunities for buyers and sellers. We believe ‘Opportunity enters through doors of adversity.’ We commit ourselves to the clarion call given by our prime minister, ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Vocal for local’.
