Strategic roadmap outlined to modernise and make APCO and Lepakshi global entities

Special Chief Secretary, Handlooms and Textiles, Ram Prakash Sisodia emphasises the need to modernise and transform the APCO and Lepakshi into a vibrant, profitable, and globally competitive entities.

Special Chief Secretary, Handlooms and Textiles, Ram Prakash Sisodia on Friday emphasised the need to modernise and transform the Andhra Pradesh State Handloom Weavers Cooperative Society (APCO) and Lepakshi into a vibrant, profitable, and globally competitive entities.

Addressing a review meeting at the APCO central office in Vijayawada, Mr. Sisodia evaluated the current status of the State’s two flagship institutions dedicated to the promotion of handlooms and handicrafts and charted a forward-looking strategy. Managing Director Viswa Kumar gave a detailed presentation on operations, challenges, and new opportunities for expansion.

Laying out a series of strategic directives, beginning with the integration of all product lines under a single retail roof through unified, multi-brand showrooms, Mr. Sisodia said that this would enable a consolidated brand identity and a more attractive experience for customers, promoting cross-selling and greater footfall. He directed the immediate development of a mobile marketing application and a WhatsApp-based marketing strategy to engage customers directly, share updates, promote offers, and build lasting digital relationships with target audiences. “These tools will significantly increase visibility, especially among younger and tech-savvy consumers,” he said.

To explore new revenue streams, Mr. Sisodia proposed allowing private advertising within showroom spaces, which could be monetised without disrupting the retail ambience. He also wanted the officials to identify unused immovable assets and put them to commercial use to enhance financial strength.

Appointment of a single banker to handle all transactions, preferably one that could provide CSR contributions, lower interest rates, and free software for financial and operational management was a crucial reform discussed in detail. Mr. Sisodia also insisted on adoption of a double entry system of accounting to ensure transparency, accuracy, and better financial discipline across departments.

In the area of sales and performance, he called for introduction of a structured system of rewards and punishments for sales personnel, ensuring accountability while also motivating achievers. He also highlighted the need for differential markups, dynamic pricing, and targeted discounts based on product categories and customer behaviour to optimise margins and stay competitive in a fast-moving retail environment.

Mr. Sisodia said there was a need to diversify product ranges, improve branding and imagery, and make the offerings more appealing to urban and global markets. Enhancing visual identity, packaging, and storytelling around each product was noted as vital to capturing new audiences and building brand loyalty.