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HomePaper 2 Vol. 4 No. 1

Bridging the Threads: Challenges and Strategies for Handloom Retailers in Odisha’s Online and Offline Markets

Jan 2026, Vol. 4, No. 1, Issue 

Author(s)

Avinash Kumar (National Institute of Fashion Technology, Patia, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha)

Dr. Vidushi (World University of Design, Sonipat, Haryana)

Abstract

The handloom industry in India has witnessed steady growth over the past two decades, with Odisha emerging as a significant hub for local artisans and manufacturers. In today’s era of conscious consumerism, handloom products are in demand both nationally and internationally; however, retailers continue to face critical challenges in sustaining and expanding sales across online, offline, and omni-channels (both online and offline). This study provides a comparative analysis of Odisha’s handloom retailers, highlighting how offline sellers dominate due to cultural trust and tactile experiences, online retailers face barriers of competition and digital capability gaps, and omni retailers struggle with dual operational pressures. Drawing on primary data collected from 284 retailers through a structured survey, the findings reveal that while offline sales remain the most profitable, social media-driven commerce and omnichannel models present strong growth opportunities. The study offers targeted recommendations for strengthening trust, enhancing digital skills, optimizing store experiences, and leveraging government and NGO partnerships. Using the combination of tradition with modern retail strategies, Odisha’s handloom sector can enhance its resilience, profitability, and global visibility in the years ahead.

Keywords

Sales Strategies, Online and Offline Markets, Handloom Product, Odisha

DOI :

Copyright & Licence

Authors publishing in JAARD retain copyright in their work and grant the journal the right of first publication. Published articles are made available under the Creative Commons licence specified by the journal. Current licence: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Dates

Published: 30th Jan 2026
Received: 30th Sept 2025
Accepted: 23rd Dec 2025

Pages : 17-32

Citation

Kumar, A., & Vidushi. (2026). Bridging the threads: Challenges and strategies for handloom retailers in Odisha’s online and offline markets. International Journal of Arts, Architecture & Design, 4(1), 17–32. https://doi.org/10.62030/2026Janpaper2

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