TexMin looking at Tata's Westside to popularise handicrafts

With a view to popularise handicrafts in the upmarket segment, the Textiles Ministry will write to Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata to allocate retail space in his Westside Stores spread across the country.

"I will write to Ratan Tata... To allocate four shelves to handloom and handicrafts [in Westside stores]," Textiles Secretary Rita Menon told PTI.

The Tata Group's retail arm, Trent, operates 'Westside' stores along with 'Star Bazaar' and 'Landmark'.

The company has around 50 Westside departmental stores across the country.

The government is keen to promote handloom and handicraft items, as the sector provides employment to millions of people.

Central Cottage Industries Corporation of India Managing Director Nirmal Sinha said retail space in an upmarket departmental store would help in popularising the products.

"Hand weavers will get extra space to market their products," he said.

Although India's handicraft exports are worth about $2.3 billion, their visibility in the domestic organised market needs to improve.

"We are supporting almost 1,700 events and exposition throughout the country and abroad to promote sales," Menon said.

Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran had recently said that his ministry would give top priority to put together schemes and other initiatives to promote marketing of handicraft products.