When decorating our living spaces, we all seek something unique that reflects our individuality and adds a touch of elegance to our surroundings. Vedas Exports, founded by Palash Agrawal, is a venture that caters to these desires by offering an exceptional collection of handicraft products. Drawing inspiration from the Vedic and medieval eras, Vedas Exports transforms traditional art forms into contemporary masterpieces. With an extensive range of products, including wall art, vases, wall art, and decorative items, Vedas Exports caters to a broad spectrum of customers, ranging from homeowners and decorators to businesses in various industries. Their commitment to quality craftsmanship and their ability to capture the essence of timeless beauty has made Vedas Exports a prominent name in home decor.
A small introduction about yourself
Hello, I’m Palash Agrawal, the founder of Vedas Exports. Our company is in Jodhpur and Ranchi. After attending Sandhaya School Gwalior, a boarding school, I pursued my engineering degree in London and a master’s degree in the same field. I used to work for Jaguar Land Rover but eventually decided to start my own business back in India.
I got inspired by traveling to over 90 countries and seeing how people use their creativity and skill to develop beautiful crafts. This inspired me to start Vedas Exports, and we have been making progress ever since.
What is Vedas Exports?
At Vedas Exports, we specialize in creating handcrafted metal décor products that draw inspiration from ancient times. Our team draws inspiration from medieval and old times to create modern pieces such as planters, vases, wall decor, wall art, metal showpieces, and gift items. We cater to various industries, from home decoration to catering, restaurants, libraries, and more. With a product range that spans from affordable to high-end, we aim to serve everyone.
How did you come up with the name Vedas Exports? What is the specialty of the name?
At Vedas Exports, we draw inspiration from Vedic times for our creations. For instance, when designing a tree wall decor, we take cues from medieval times and transform it into a modern form. Our name is derived from the Vedic era, and we also draw inspiration from old dances during the reign of the Maharajas. We then develop these inspirations into contemporary forms that people can use to decorate their spaces.
Could you provide an overview of Vedas Exports and their growth over the years?
Our company has been in operation for 7.5 years. Initially, we offered a single range of products, but we have since expanded to provide hundreds of thousands of products. Our growth has been rapid, and we are currently expanding our product portfolio at an aggressive pace. Our products are available at modern retail outlets throughout India, including Hometown and Metro cash and carry and standalone décor stores. Additionally, we have a presence in international markets, regular gifting, and décor shops.
What is the market size for the metal art industry, and what trends have you observed over the course of business?
The metal art industry currently has a modest share, ranging from 12 to 15%, in the décor segment. Despite our lack of success in capturing a significant portion of the market, we remain committed to innovation to increase our market share. Our products are primarily centered around décor rather than utility, which has resulted in some resistance. Nevertheless, we strive to overcome this challenge and expand our share diligently.
Which is the best product that you are selling right now? What do people like?
If we look at trends, then some hot-selling products for us are the metal décor trees. They have been very popular and one of our best sellers. We also see an uptick in utility-based products like planters, vases, and hooks. Our Mirrors are innovative and have a good response too. So overall, there is a mix of product liking. Also, from the buying trends, what we see is that people like to spend at a price point of around INR 3000-3500.
Are you available on other online marketplaces, or do you have your website? How can people reach you?
So, we are available in all the marketplaces in India, starting from Flipkart, Amazon, Nykaa, etc. Offline we are in the shop-in-shop format with major retail outlets across India like Shopper Stop and others like Pepper Fry.
Can you share insights on customer behavior patterns in the home decor industry?
In the home decor industry, predicting customer behavior patterns as they change with the latest trends is challenging. Seasonal festivities also play a significant role in shaping these trends. During the summer, when people tend to move houses, wall decors, vases, and planters are popular. However, corporate gifting takes precedence during Diwali, with candle holders and lights in high demand. Customers look for Christmas-themed products in December, such as stars with red and white color mixes. Finally, when school examinations are underway in March, we explore new ideas and designs for upcoming seasons.
Is it just in India, or you’re internationally available?
We offer our services internationally; however, our brand name is not used outside India. Instead, we are known as a white-label product in international markets. Our services are available as a white label in multiple countries, including the USA, UAE, and Europe.
How is the international market response different from the domestic market?
It’s not a fair comparison between the domestic and international markets. In the domestic market, we can ship products promptly and easily maintain inventory while also selling products without much difficulty. However, in the global market, it’s more about securing orders first, understanding delivery timelines, and identifying the locations where products need to be shipped. The Indian market has limited options in terms of product range, SKUs, and quantities, whereas the international market has large order quantities. Unfortunately, due to current events such as the US recession and the Russia-Ukraine conflict in Europe, the global market has been slow in recent times.
Currently, Vedas Exports is available in shop-in-shop formats, so do you have any plans to open your retail store?
We currently have a presence in over 50 shop-in-shop stores, Shoppers Stop, and Hometown. We plan to establish flagship stores in bigger cities, beginning with Delhi, followed by Bombay, Kolkata, and Bangalore. We are working towards achieving this objective and expect to open independent stores in major metropolitan areas soon. Question
By any chance, technology, specifically artificial intelligence, is helping your business?
In the future, we may incorporate AI technology into our services. We are exploring this possibility and determining the best way to introduce it.
Are there any plans to diversify the product range of Vedas Exports?
Our plan includes diversifying our product range, and we have already taken steps towards it. Last year, we introduced planters, and this year, we added figurines and wall clocks. We started this process three months ago, and it has been successful. We focus on utility-based products, as people are more likely to spend money on necessary items rather than just decor. However, if we offer utility-based products that are important to our customers, they may also consider adding decorative elements to their purchases. This benefits both the buyer and us. Our focus remains on diversification, and we plan to introduce new products every quarter.
How do you differentiate yourself from the competition? What are your unique selling points, USP?
Our company’s unique selling point lies in our commitment to innovation and originality, reflected in our products. Our design team creates unique product designs, setting us apart. Additionally, we release a new catalog every two months, giving our customers even more options. Our products are competitively priced, offering top-notch quality, packaging, after-sales service, and customer support. Our customer support team is dedicated to addressing any issues that may arise and resolving them promptly.
If we compare products imported from international markets to Indian products, is there any difference between them?
When comparing imported products to those made domestically, the imported ones tend to have a slightly better finish since they are machine-made, while our products are typically handmade. However, we are dedicated to promoting our handicraft business and preserving our cultural traditions.
Could you share the key factors or strategies that have contributed to the success and growth of Vedas Exports as a brand?
At our company, we prioritize strong ethics in our business practices from the very beginning. Our team is exceptional, and our unique culture has resulted in an impressively low attrition rate. In fact, we’ve only had one person leave us in all these years. This has been a significant factor in our business success. We value our client’s feedback and reviews and take their suggestions seriously. Our repeat customer orders are a testament to our commitment to implementing client input, and we are proud to see customers returning to us consistently.
As a founder, what lessons have you learned?
Believing in oneself is crucial. When you believe you can achieve something, you can make it happen. It’s not enough to hope that things will work out on their own. You must trust in your abilities and ensure that your product is sound. The market can be challenging, but it’s up to you to make it work. As an entrepreneur or business owner, you will face obstacles. Some may say the market isn’t profitable, but you must remain confident in your vision and seek solutions to overcome setbacks. This has been the most significant learning from my experiences.
What is one piece of advice from you in the future on the premise?
Ensuring the long-term commitment of your team should be a top priority to maintain their happiness. Adding a new team member requires a substantial investment of time and resources, usually involving 3 to 4 months of training. This can significantly affect the company’s overall profitability.
Vedas Exports is committed to preserving the essence of the past while embracing present demands through innovation and creation. They offer a wide range of quality-crafted home decor products poised to leave an indelible mark. Whether you’re an individual, decorator, or business, Vedas Exports invites you to discover the timeless allure of their beautifully crafted wall art pieces and thoughtfully designed planters.
