Yoga guru Ramdev’s massive online push expanding
BABA Ramdev, the yoga-guru-turnedentrepreneur behind one of India’s biggest brands, said on Tuesday he was tying up with Amazon to target his country’s $1-billion (R12.3-billion) online market for consumer goods.
Ramdev built up a huge following through a yoga television show before launching the Patanjali brand of products – which range from toothpaste to cooking oil and cosmetics.
Patanjali rivals major international brands in India, thanks to its low prices and home-grown credentials, but sells mainly through shops.
It is now tying up with a range of online retailers as well as Amazon, after a successful trial.
“The online mechanism is especially aimed at youngsters who want speed and comfort in shopping,” the yoga tycoon said in Delhi.
The company has ambitious plans to double its turnover in this financial year to $3-billion (R37-billion).
Ramdev, whose beard and flowing saffron-coloured robes make him an incongruous figure in the world of big business, is a huge celebrity in India.
He claims to live a simple life despite his riches and says all his profits go to charity. He has also denied past allegations of tax evasion.
“I have no dreams of personal wealth. We are a not-for-profit company,” he said yesterday.
“We will invest each and every rupee that we make in charity.”
India had 60 million online shoppers in 2016, a figure that will rise by more than 50% by 2026, according to a report by Morgan Stanley. – AFP