Ku Ka Launches ruKuKa Platform to Sell Local Products in Overseas Markets

I Ka startup marketplace which specializes in selling local Indonesian products, again makes innovations by presenting ruKuKa. A platform that will help later market local products to global markets, one of which is Japan. Ku Ka also collaborated with Riri and Dot to hold exhibitions and bazaars for local Indonesian products to Japan.

ruKuka itself was developed with a concept similar to E-commerce most. It's just that the Indonesian products and brands in ruKuka will pass curation. ruKuka also serves international transactions and shipping which makes it easy for international customers to connect with Indonesian products.

"ruKuKa comes with the background of the belief that local Indonesian products with the best quality have their own market in the global market, the birth of ruKuKa coincided with the participation of Ku Ka with (X)SML Fashion on the Amazon Fashion Week Tokyo 2018 stage. At that time, Ku Ka curated accessories products, bags and shoes to complete the (X)SML fashion collection," explained Sr. Marketing Strategist Stephanie Edelweiss.

Regarding the exhibition, Ku Ka's CEO and Co-founder Titonius Karto explained that Japan was the first country chosen by Ku Ka in his efforts to globalize Indonesian products. Japan was chosen because in that country there are many brands that can be used role model related to product development. Its quality standards, details, and innovations can be examples of local product brands.

"By bringing Indonesian products to Japan, Ku Ka along with participating local brands received a lot of input by following the standardization of their products. This is what made us continue to penetrate through exhibitions and bazaars in Hikarie, after last January in Seibu. In the end, our goal is that Japanese people can buy Indonesian local products easily on online platforms, but we are aware that market trust needs to be formed through offline activities," explained Titonius.

Ku Ka's optimism as marketplace Indonesian local products

Ku Ka Yang launched in 2016, currently claims to have 5000 online shops/goods manufacturers. Ku Ka has so far not received the shop in kind reseller or distributors. From 5000 online stores, there are 1000 - 2000 active online stores.

Thanks to the support of the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, Ku Ka managed to bring 3200 units of products from 34 local brands to exhibitions in Japan, as a form of Ku Ka's effort to introduce Indonesian products in the international arena.

In terms of innovation, Ku Ka is in the process of updating its website and preparing several features that are expected to help Ku Ka users and sellers.

"We are in the process upgrade Web site, analytics dashboard for seller and play dashboard. This feature is later expected to facilitate the analysis of the development of uptake of local Indonesian products on online platforms. We are also in the development stage of Ku Ka version mobile apps," explained Stephanie.

Some time ago Qlapa, a startup in the same segment as Ku Ka, decided to close service. In response to this, Ku Ka explained that being in the segment that markets local products amidst the onslaught of foreign products is not an easy matter.

But they still believe that local products can still survive, they just need to find the right market and method. It also takes the active role of the government and the community to help businesses marketplace special local products to stay afloat.

"We share empathy, we can say that choosing to promote local products in digital trade is not an easy thing. Given the strong global trade flow, the ease of entry of goods from outside that offer low prices in the midst of a market that is still price sensitive."

"But Ku Ka believes that this nation must continue to explore the strength of its products and find the right market and way to promote it, the rest is a shared task to continue to build the quality and convenience of creative businesses. The role of the government and society is also very strong to support businesses like this to survive, " added Stephanie.