BuildMantra, online marketplace for building and interiors products, launched

Another indication of ecommerce’s growing popularity with the masses is the entry of construction and interior products in the space. Stock-broking firm Chona group has entered into online retailing with buildmantra.com, a platform to market construction and interior products.

According to EMC Palaniappan, Chairman and Managing Director of Chona Group, BuildMantra will have construction material and other products required for the interiors space at the fingertips of buyers.

“We have invested Rs 5 crore in the project and roped in 350 vendors initially. The products will be available online and customers can get it delivered on their respective place,” he said. “Build Mantra has been positioned as a robust marketplace, where buyers transact with sellers on literally anything – from construction material, interior furnishing, outdoor furnishing to energy products etc. This will be a boon to a corporate or even a single individual,” Palaniappan added.

This would be India’s first virtual martketplace where anyone can log in and buy all construction requirements in a click. Any business or common man can use it for planning, building, furnishing and renovating anything they wish to.

Maintaining quality

It is not a blind leap that the group has taken. The team has done considerable research in the past year to understand the trends and requirements, and accordingly tied up with established companies and brands for the supply of products to the portal.

Much like the process in any other ecommerce portal, customers can browse through the products offered and decide on their choice. To ensure safe payment, a secure payment gateway has been integrated too.

Once the products are delivered to customers and there are no complaints from them, payments will be released to sellers.

The concept

Mr. U Jayraj Rau, Director, Build Mantra said “The Indian public has never had it so convenient – as the site offers a wide range of products from building materials to home accessories – every little thing needed to make dream projects come to life. This is specifically done by a state-of-the art geographic store locator. Based on the pin code you enter, it finds stores that are closest and can provide you with the best deals in the shortest time.”

The group wants to capitalize on the growing internet user base in the country and the first mover advantage. Building and renovation needs are always there, in different ways depending on the customer segments. With this option, multiple customers can be reached without the barriers of physical locations.

With ambitious expansion plans, Build Mantra intends to expand on a national level and also with international and local building materials and solutions.