Joined agarbatti distribution business at an early age :SanmukhBasappaKotkar
Sanmukh Basappa Kotkar, head of Shri Swami Samarth Company in Solapur, entered the incense business early. His firm has been operating since 1973, initially founded by his father. However, after his father’s passing during his 12th grade, Kotkar took over the business. Bengaluru-based companies trusted him and began supplying products, helping him establish a strong foothold. Despite early challenges, Kotkar rapidly expanded the business. Today, he manages products from nearly 22 companies, including prominent brands such as Lalita, Balaji, Alaukik, KR, AKP, Gangotri, S Chanda from Nagpur, ShreejiAgarbatti, Ganga Products, Misbah, Satya, Gajanand, Good Luck from Pune, and TPR Fragrance. His retail store also stocks major incense brands like Cycle, Padmini, Dev Darshan, and Vasu, catering to a growing demand in the Solapur market.
Shri BasappaKotkar highlighted the strong demand for incense products in Solapur, covering a 100-kilometre distribution radius. He supplies over 100 counters and has built an extensive network in nearby town markets. Top-selling brands in the region include Krishna Kala, Gangotri, Alaukik, Shreeji, Balaji, Vasu, Padmini, Cycle, and Devdarshan. Kotkar previously managed Vasu, Padmini, and Cycle as well. Zipper packs containing 50-60 kadis remain the most popular format, while products priced at ₹10 also see high demand in the market.
Shri BasappaKotkar highlighted that agarbattis dominate the Solapur market with a 70% share, while the remaining 30% comprises wet dhoop, dry dhoop, sambrani cups, cones, and powders. Among these, dry dhoop remains the most popular. For wet dhoop, top-selling brands include KR from Indore, Shreeji, and Devdarshan, all priced at ₹25 MRP. In the dry stick segment, Satya and Mahakal lead sales. Popular choices among sambrani cups include Yagna from Madurai, Mahakal, and Aradhya. In the Chandan Tika segment, Manohar Ashtagandh is the best-selling product, available in variants with MRPs of ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, and ₹100. The camphor market sees strong demand for Raj Kala and Mahi from Pune. In the attar category, fragrances such as Balaji’s Chandan Badika, Aero Cam, Oriental, and Oud are bestsellers. On average, a customer spends ₹100 per month, with four to five out of ten buyers specifically choosing products by brand name.
