The pandemic has made on-line procuring everybody’s finest pal. Be it only one pen, a sudden craving to your favorite candy, a single grocery merchandise, or a gown, every thing is offered with one click on.
However in the case of on-line procuring, two issues are commonplace — the match and high quality.
Wouldn’t it’s a dream, then, to mix one of the best of each worlds — the consolation of on-line procuring with the expertise of visiting a bodily retailer? For Chennai residents, this can be a new actuality due to Pikbig, a “boutique on wheels” that brings quite a lot of trend decisions to 1’s doorstep.
The style retailer caters to ladies and has Indian in addition to western put on, together with kurtis, t-shirts, sarees, robes and attire.
After working a profitable brick and mortar retailer in Chennai and an internet site, founder Karthick G needed to discover a brand new avenue. Wanting to ascertain “a Swiggy-like platform for trend”, the 32-year-old considered a boutique on wheels.
“If meals will be delivered at an individual’s home, we are able to ship garments too. However the issue with on-line procuring is that whereas a product could look enticing, we aren’t positive of the standard. I believed that being able to test the standard and dimension of the product, and having it delivered to the doorstep can be one of the best resolution,” says Karthick in a dialog with The Higher India.
Vogue at the doorstep
This boutique on wheels was formally launched in Chennai in October this 12 months.
“We began by taking permission from residences and would take our bus there. Slowly, folks began noticing us and contacting us. Our thought is to go on an appointment foundation. When folks name us, they inform us the form of assortment they need, and we stock garments accordingly. Now, we largely transfer on appointments solely,” explains Karthick.
The bus has an space of 100 sq. toes and the capability to retailer 300 sarees or attire at a time, of which 150 will be on show). It additionally has a trial room.
Karthick, who’s an MBA graduate, explains, “After ending my MBA in HR & Advertising in 2012, I labored in two-three firms, however my curiosity was at all times in trend. Round 4 years in the past, when companies have been booming on WhatsApp and Fb, I had began a small enterprise.”
“I might purchase garments from wholesalers in Mumbai and Surat and promote it to folks in Chennai. I constructed an excellent buyer base, however as many individuals began doing it, the orders began getting diluted,” he provides.
That was when the entrepreneur considered beginning an organised platform for folks to order garments.
‘The Swiggy of clothes’
Nonetheless, life had different plans. In 2018, Karthick needed to go to Nagercoil to deal with his household enterprise of a nursery backyard.
“[But] I saved researching the clothes enterprise on the aspect. I had this concept of a bus on wheels for a very long time. It lastly got here to fruition and I purchased a bus too, however then COVID got here. So I launched an internet site and brick and mortar retailer earlier than launching the bus,” says Karthick.
Initially, he thought he might “provide unique collections” utilizing this idea, however the response made him change his outlook. Now, the bus presents garments beginning at Rs 500.
“I performed many trials when the bus was in Nagercoil. Even in Chennai, first we went and understood what clients needed. Based mostly on their suggestions, we maintain enhancing. Some need us to get extra varieties, sizes and so on. Some need simply silk sarees whereas some need every day put on.”
Prospects are additionally proud of the idea.
Ranjitha, a resident of Adyar, says, “The pandemic has modified our procuring habits. I’m now not comfy going to crowded outlets. I’m additionally not proud of the standard of most garments we order on-line. Once I noticed Pikbig’s boutique in my space, I used to be thrilled. Their merchandise have been additionally good and the procuring expertise was totally different and unique.”
In the meantime, Karthick says his purpose is to offer an excellent procuring expertise together with high quality merchandise. The clothes are sourced from throughout the nation like Surat, Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur, Tiruppur, and Ludhiana.
He hopes to develop this enterprise mannequin and replicate it throughout the nation.
“We’re already getting plenty of curiosity from others who wish to begin a boutique on wheels. We wish to make this an e-commerce mannequin, with an internet site in addition to a bus. We’re in talks with buyers. I need this to develop into the Swiggy of clothes,” says Karthick.
Edited by Divya Sethu
