Super Stockist Asif’s strong presence grows in Solapur’s agarbatti market
Solapur-based super stockist and distributor Asif Jaklar has built a strong supply network for agarbattis and dhoop products across a 300-kilometre radius. He operates through Raj Trading Company and AR Enterprises, catering to multiple brands. Jaklar has been in the incense business since 1975, starting with Kerry Products. In 1992, he took on the distribution of Rocket, which strengthened his foothold in the Solapur dhoop and fragrance market. His supply chain spans Solapur Taluka, Pandharpur, Sangola, and Akkalkot Taluka. Asif established a notable presence in the regional incense marketing sector through a network comprising five distributors and sales representatives.
Veteran incense trader Asif Jaklar, with five decades in the industry, sees Solapur as a highly favourable market, with Rocket as the top-selling brand. He also distributes products from Lohana (Ahmedabad) and Kirti Company (Nagpur), including ‘Singa Loban’ and RK, and items from 8–10 other companies. Beyond Rocket, brands like Big Safari, Ullas, ZED Black, and Cycle hold strong market positions. Products priced at ₹10 MRP dominate sales volume, followed by rising demand for pouch packaging. Agarbattis command 70% of the market, while dhoop products account for 30%. Wet dhoop is popular due to its loban fragrance. Wet dhoop makes up 65% of total dhoop sales, while dry stick products contribute 35%. Wet dhoop is available in ₹10, ₹30, ₹50, ₹70, ₹100, and ₹120 MRP ranges, with Rocket offering the widest variety. Other well-performing brands include ZED Black, Forest, and Big Safari.
In a recent discussion with Sugandh India, Asif Jaklar noted that economy products dominate about 70% of the incense market in Solapur. In contrast, zipper packs represent the remaining 30%. The market for premium products remains limited. In the dry stick segment, Mahalakshmi is a top-selling brand. Multi-coloured cone dhoop also see strong demand. Dry sticks priced between ₹15 and ₹100 MRP perform well across the market. In the Sambrani cup category, Mahalakshmi from Mehra Company leads in sales, while Singapuri Cup from Bengaluru has also gained popularity.
Al Naim, Kelkar, and Aerochem dominate consumer preferences in the attar segment. According to Asif Jaklar, companies are going for targeted schemes for three to six months to strengthen their market presence. He noted that competition is fierce as consumers seek affordability and quality. Mid-range buyers prefer stronger fragrances (Kaadi), while some customers prioritise affordability with higher weight or quantity. Although there is a market for premium products, demand remains limited. Most customers purchase incense products under the Rocket brand, with high demand for all Rocket varieties. Among them, “Intimate” and “Loban” are the bestsellers.
