Shoegaro Fashions Private Limited (Kaarigar Mandi)
In India alone, there are over 2.5 million footwear artisans running their own micro and small manufacturing units or working in 40000 other micro/small footwear manufacturing units, constituting about 70% of the industry's capacity. However, these artisans struggle to meet the evolving demands of the market, leading to inefficiencies, missed opportunities, and limited growth.
Furthermore, the booming branded footwear market in India, growing at a CAGR of over 20%, underscores the need for standardized, reliable, and scalable manufacturing solutions. Existing models fail to bridge the gap between the artisanal sector and organized bulk footwear buyers, hindering the industry's potential for growth and impact.
Kaarigar Mandi has built a b2b platform to resolve the challenges faced by footwear artisans, micro & small footwear manufacturers and organised bulk footwear buyers which revolves around empowering artisans with access to markets, finance, and capacity building opportunities.
Firstly, we provide access to markets by digitizing the products and inventory of artisans on our platform, enabling them to showcase their craftsmanship to a wider audience of organised bulk buyers, through our b2b platform Kaarigar Mandi and get orders for the artisans. This not only increases their visibility but also opens up new opportunities for sales and growth.
Secondly, we address the issue of financial exclusion among artisans by connecting them with low-cost credit solutions. This helps them manage cash flow, invest in their businesses, and take advantage of growth opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach. By providing access to finance, we enable artisans to expand their operations, improve product quality, and increase their income.
Lastly, we focus on capacity building by providing training programs, workshops, and skill development initiatives to footwear artisans. These programs aim to enhance their technical skills, market knowledge, and understanding of modern manufacturing practices. By investing in the capacity building of artisans, we not only improve their productivity and efficiency but also empower them to adapt to changing market trends and demands. Also we have built up a machine bank which is offered to artisans as when needed to fulfill some specific production tasks.
Overall, Kaarigar Mandi's solution is designed to create meaningful impact in the lives of footwear artisans by providing them with the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive in the modern marketplace.
Headquarter Country
India
Geographies served
India
Issue areas addressed
Diversity & Inclusion Livelihoods
Communities served
Artisans People without employment Women
SDGs focus
SDG 5 - Gender Equality