Wholesale David's AW News: Toni in India. - Ancient Wisdom

Greetings from the banks of the Ganges River in India.

I travelled here with Toni (our man in Spain) from Bali on Wednesday. After an emotional farewell from Ringo and Bondhan we took an afternoon flight to Kuala Lumpur, changed for the late night flight to Kolkata. Arriving just after midnight India time. It was strangely cold, I have never felt chilly in India, but Chatterjee (our man in India) was waiting with a warm welcome.

Last week I was telling you about the interesting election unfolding in Indonesia with "Trust Me" posters.. if you want to catch up here is the link.

Chatterjee had an ancient jeep-like car which bounced over the dreadful roads (busy even at 2am), honking and swerving the mighty over decorated trucks. Welcome to India, I said to the slightly shell shocked Toni. We arrived exhausted at our small hotel in Chatteree's home town of Serampore. And in the morning awoke to this view of the languid Ganges, clumps of greenery floating downstream and big crows in the trees crowing welcome to India... the adventure begins.

Chatterjee welcomes us at Kolkata airport. The moment Toni finally meets Chatterjee.

First job yesterday was to go and visit the factory, and review production and see if we can create some new products. We'd already sent Chatterjee and his team a selection of bags purchased in Spain for inspiration and development. So we should be off to a good start..

Arriving at the factory, where we treated to the usual welcome party of all the staff.. almost 40 people doing the Namaste, nice but I always think - slightly embarrassing.

I was last here in August 2023, and the products we developed and ordered then are still in process. Some have been shipped and some are yet to be shipped, we were able to do random QC checks and I'm pleased to report the quality is excellent. I'm really excited by the products that are on the way to the UK now..

Drishanta, Mr Chatterjee's son has had a big impact on the business and fresh ideas and a younger outlook are really making a difference. He gave Toni a tour of the factory.

Maybe coincidence, but today almost everyone in the factory is working on AW products. Bags, Pouches and Jute Sacks.. You can see most of the existing products in our Bags & Accessories Department. We have been working with Mr Chatterjee as our India agent and with his factory a very long time. In fact.... 20 Years!

It's a twenty year anniversary.. I just realised that the first time I came to this town was 20 years ago. I remember asking Mr Chatterjee if we could visit a Jute farmer, and see how jute was produced, after we went to an ancient British era Jute mill, and we were one of the first UK companies to import all natural Jute bags to the UK. Mr Chatterjee keeps a picture of that visit in his office.

2004. Really, my goodness - the years pass so fast.

So Toni is getting quite over enthusiastic in Chatterjee factory - working with the pattern guys here.. developing samples at a furious pace - busting with ideas and creativity.

Toni, Suvendu (the pattern guy) and Drishanta (Chatterjee's son). It's really good to have fresh eyes on the job. He is connecting with his team in Spain and getting our designers there involved. But we have started way too many projects, and time is limited..

Thank you everyone who answered our survey questions! It's really useful when you give feedback and direction. I already learned a lot from your responses, and already today acting on your suggestions and ideas. It's not too late to add your voice.. "Help us choose products" link.. it only takes 5 minutes and helps us serve you (and your customers) better and better.

I was really interested to see how many of you are interested in us sourcing more Indian products.. 52% which is encouraging. So here we are working on it.

Birmingham Trade Show

If you are going.. enjoy, but you won't see AW there. Regular readers and customers know why. If you don't know - it's because AW is something different to all the other wholesalers - find the answer here..

It's almost Valentine's Day - here in India they call it V-Day.. back in the UK, it's all go.. as Valentine's Day gift season kicks off the Season of Love. It's all gone seriously PINK.. check out V-Day Department at AW for best fast selling products anywhere!

And as luck would have it an India container just arrived, so lots of products back in stock and a new range of bags..

More details below..

Take care - hope trade is booming.

More news next week as we travel around India.

Namaste

David