Amazon launches Spotlight North East storefront to increase visibility

Amazon India announced the launch of the 'Spotlight North East' storefront on its marketplace on Tuesday. The storefront will increase the visibility of unique local products and hidden gems from the region, showcasing them to millions of Amazon customers in India.

Speaking about the launch, Amit Agarwal, Global Senior VP, and Country Head, Amazon India said:

"We are excited to launch a dedicated Spotlight North East storefront on Amazon.in showcasing region's unique handicrafts, handlooms, and GI products to customers across India. This is part of the Spotlight North East program announced recently at Amazon Smbhav 2021 and is aimed at enabling MSMEs like artisans, weavers, local shops from the region with technology and eCommerce to reach customers across India and the world."

He went on to say that the company is fully committed to supporting the Indian government's efforts to transform the North-Eastern states into a commercial hub offering unique 'Made in India' products representing rich, diverse cultures.

Customers will be able to discover unique regional products such as Chakshesang Shawls from Nagaland, Muga Silk from Assam, various types of weaves such as the Moirang Phee from Manipur, and various teas and spices such as the Mizo Chilli, among others at the store.

Initially, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State, inaugurated the launch of the 'Spotlight North East' program in April through a virtual event called Sambhav.

He mentioned that one of the key priorities for their government is to establish North East as an important business destination in the Indian subcontinent and this initiative will not only enhance that establishment as well as the exports of exclusive commodities of the North East will help in turning this region into a commercial hub for introducing the world to 'Made-in-India' products.

The venture aims to bring 50,000 local artisans, weavers, and small businesses from the North East region online by 2025, as well as increase exports of key commodities such as tea, spices, and honey from the region.

According to the statement, Amazon will also allow artisans and weavers from the region to participate in key sales events throughout the year and help generate demand for their products from customers across the country.

The Spotlight North East program is intended to boost the local economy, create jobs, and accelerate financial inclusion and women's empowerment across the country's eight states in the country's North-East region, the statement added.

It will further hasten the region's digitization and provide an opportunity for local businesses to leverage e-commerce.
In the next five years, Amazon will bring more than 5,000 unique craft-based products, Geographical Indication (GI) products, and other local products to its India marketplace, as well as increase exports of special commodities from the North East such as tea, honey, and spices, among other things to millions of customers under one roof.

Amazon has collaborated with NEHHDC (North Eastern Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation) to engage, skill, and digitally enable artisan and weaver communities in the region's eight states, bringing the benefits of the Amazon Karigar program to them.

"The exclusive Store on Amazon Karigar will help the products made by the artisans and weavers of North East to reach millions of Amazon customers. We believe that our partnership with Amazon.in will not only promote entrepreneurship but also build awareness about the rich heritage of northeast handloom and handicrafts," Brig R K Singh (Retd), Managing Director of NEHHDC, said.

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