Homestyle pickle brand, The Little Farm Co., is preparing for a major leap into the offline market. Aditya Bhargava, co-founder and COO, tells Snackfax that his company plans to open 1,000 stores in Delhi-NCR over the next six months.
“From the very beginning, we are an online-first brand. Along with D2C and Amazon, we use quick commerce, and have collaborated with Blinkit, Instamart and Zepto. This strategy has significantly contributed to our growth—from selling 1000 jars a month to nearly 80,000 jars. Now besides online, we are ready to venture into offline very soon, by the next quarter,” he tells us.
Expansion roadmap in six months
The company’s goal is to penetrate retail in the Delhi-NCR region in the next six months. “The next six months look exciting. We’re targeting 100 stores in Gurugram and aim to reach 1,000 stores across NCR,” Bhargava shares.
Besides that, the brand is also looking to add more product offerings to its pickle buffet. Currently, The Little Farm Co. serves eight varieties of pickles and one chutney offering.
“We started as a pickle brand, but our vision extends beyond just pickles. The idea is to add more chutneys in our portfolio. Also, goal is to build a comprehensive condiment brand that offers a wide range of products. This is the vision we’re working towards.”
According to him, there is an influx of new brands entering the market with products like dips and peanut butter. Even the ketchup industry has experienced significant diversification. With the evolving trends, The Little Farm Co. aims to be at the forefront of this trend by offering a full spectrum of condiment options, says Bhargava.
“We are still figuring it out and brainstorming on the type of products we want to create. On this front, lots of experimentation is also happening at our end,” he reveals.
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Packaging can be a challenge
One of the unique aspects of The Little Farm Co. is its approach to packaging. “We’ve learned from heritage brands that packaging and price should match the sales channel,” explains Bhargava. They offer two pack sizes: a 400-gram pack for their website and Amazon, and a smaller 250-300 gram pack for quick commerce platforms. This strategy not only caters to different shopping behaviors but also encourages trial and engagement with new customers.
However, transitioning from online to offline presents its challenges in packaging. “We use glass jars because we’re not using preservatives, which helps maintain product shelf life,” says Bhargava.
Despite the cost and logistical challenges, the brand is working on alternatives like PET jars to ensure they maintain quality while expanding their reach.
Innovation in Tradition
When asked about the origins of The Little Farm Co., Bhargava recalls that the idea came from a dining table conversation about how pickle making is becoming a disappearing skill in India.
“Pickles and chutneys are staples in Indian households, enjoyed across breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” says Bhargava. “Yet, innovation in this space was lacking, and we saw this as an opportunity to offer something nostalgic yet new.” Niharika Bhargava, an ex-marketing executive, founded the brand in 2017, and was later joined by her sibling Aditya Bhargava.