From hustling in college days to Flipkart’s The Big Billion Days – Raid International’s inspiring tale of success

In the world of business, there are stories that inspire, stories that reflect the essence of entrepreneurship, and stories that remind us of the limitless possibilities that lie ahead. With the 10th edition of Flipkart’s flagship event - The Big Billion Days just around the corner, it is the perfect time to shine a spotlight on one such business that has thrived through their association with the homegrown e-commerce platform.

Raid International is a dynamic venture, spearheaded by the entrepreneurial zeal of its founders —Abhishek and Saurav Raid. Their story is one of relentless determination and innovation that led to this sibling-led company expanding its product offerings across various categories over the past decade.

The spark of entrepreneurship

Abhishek, an engineer, recalls the excitement of receiving their first order during his college days. "I called Sourav up and said, 'We've received our first order! Let’s process it!'" Saurav, an interior designer with a passion for business, seamlessly combined his design pursuits with the world of commerce.

Before joining forces with Flipkart, Raid International’s roots were firmly grounded in the manufacturing of home and kitchen products. However, the duo recognised the immense potential in Flipkart and decided to explore the possibility of supplying their products through the homegrown marketplace platform. Flipkart, in turn, introduced them to the concept of a marketplace, igniting the spark that has been the driving force behind their successful journey.

The transition was remarkably seamless, allowing them to tap into Flipkart's pan-India reach. From sourcing, packaging, and delivering the products to footing placement costs, Raid International has come a long way. Today, they not only have their own manufacturing unit but also engage in imports, and even trade products from other brands.

Consumer base: A vibrant tapestry

Raid International's evolution from processing a handful of orders to managing a staggering 2,000 orders per day is nothing short of remarkable. What's even more impressive is the diversity of their consumer base.

Their product offering caters to a wide target audience. While sports and fitness products, such as gym bottles, fare well with men, the maximum number of buyers for kitchen storage items are women. Notably, even college students buy from the company’s extensive catalogue.

Although the company operates from Bangalore, a significant portion of their consumer base hails from North and East India. Such expansive geographical reach would have been unimaginable without the platform provided by Flipkart.

The Big Billion Days: A time of transformation

As the 10th edition of The Big Billion Days (BBD) approaches, companies like Raid International gear up for a hectic period. The number of orders surge exponentially during this time, and preparations typically begin almost a year in advance. For many entrepreneurs, this annual event serves as a crucial opportunity to scale their businesses. In fact, Raid International is anticipating a whopping tenfold growth in sales during this year's BBD!

Expanding horizons and unprecedented growth

The pivotal role played by Flipkart in Raid International's success cannot be overstated. Abhishek and Sourav emphasize the invaluable insights they receive from Flipkart. “The support and insights provided by Flipkart managers and their valuable advice on advertising strategies helped us immensely,” they say.

Furthermore, the platform’s data-driven guidance empowers their sourcing decisions, helping them collaborate with other retailers. This has allowed them to seamlessly incorporate a wider range of products into their catalogue, offering customers an even broader selection.

Unveiling the entrepreneurial potential

This partnership exemplifies how e-commerce platforms can empower entrepreneurs to reach new heights in their business ventures. In particular, Raid International's dreams have blossomed into reality with their journey encapsulating their transformation from a single brand distributor to a multifaceted e-commerce powerhouse.

As The Big Billion Days inches closer, it's clear that such stories of entrepreneurial success through Flipkart will continue to inspire and motivate businesses, both big and small.

Disclaimer: This article is generated and published by the Insider Studios team. You can get in touch with them on insiderstudios@businessinsider.in