Tantuja launches collection of linen garments

State Textile minister Swapan Debnath on Tuesday inaugurated Tantuja’s varied collection of linen garments in an exhibition at Salt Lake.

Noted fashion designer Abhishek Dutta was hired by Tantuja to design the apparel. The exhibition was speciialy arranged to showcase linen garments. Bengali actress Rituparna Sengupta was among the dignitaries present at the event.

“These special clothes, designed by Dutta, will be available in any outlet of Tantuja. Tantuja has now become a global brand. Many foreigners are buying Tantuja products now. We are getting an overwhelming response from Tantuja outlets across the state,” said the minister.

The profit numbers are enough to tell Tantuja’s success story, which recently also started a successful partnership with Flipkart and Amazon. Tantuja products, especially saaris are now available on several popular e-commerce websites.

Once ailing by financial crisis, the organisation under West Bengal State Handloom Weavers Cooperative Society made a record operational profit in 2015-16 at Rs 3.5 crore against a turnover of Rs 123.19 crore. The profit margin was Rs 2.05 crore in 2014-15 against a turnover of Rs 106.67 crore. For the year 2016-17 so far, the turnover has also crossed passed Rs 125 crore.

“We have tied up with Amazon. We are already selling Tantuja sarees through Flipkart and have recorded sales of over Rs 50 lakh,” said Debnath.

Tantuja, a state government undertaking, has 58 stores in the state so far and plans to open at least two more at Digha. It has 17 stores outside Bengal.

“We are expanding our stores and also harnessing the multiple e-commerce marketplace portals to expand our reach,” the minister added.

Tantuja has been churning profits for the last three years. These profits have bestowed upon it the title of ‘Best turnaround story’. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s made it a personal endeavour to revitalise the dying organisation and her ‘Tant Sathi’ scheme played a vital role. An amount of Rs 120 crore has now been allotted to Tant Sathi as compensation for the tant weavers.

‘Biswa Bangla’ stores at airport and a few major locations, including the National capital, as well sell Tantuja products. However, Tantuja products will not be offering any special discount in the online marketplace and will maintain the same pricing strategy for both online and offline stores.