Pondicherry is currently known as Puducherry. It is the most populous city of the Union Territory of Puducherry in India. The city is one of the seven Union Territories. The city is situated on the southeast coast surrounded by the Bay of Bengal and the state of Tamil Nadu. 

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It shares its culture, heritage and language with Tamil Nadu. Pondicherry’s seawall has caused beach erosion. Rice, pulses, sugarcane, coconuts and cotton are some major crops grown in the city and nearby areas.

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The majority in Pondicherry is Tamil speaking. There is a community of French people and several French institutions in the city. The city is a tourist destination having many churches, colonial buildings, temples, and statues.

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The sea attracts tourists but the city no longer has those sandy beaches. There are many old churches in the city. A number of heritage buildings and moments are present near the Promenade Beach. 

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Statics table 

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Entrepreneur's Story  - 

A woman entrepreneur started a cement unit with one sewing machine, tailor, and pattern master. She has now crores of turnover. Anjali Schiavina operates Mandala apparel. The company works with organic cotton farmers.

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Reducing and recycling cloth waste. The cloth waste produced in the factory is recycled and used as price tags in their finished goods. When she was around 5 years old her family shifted from Kolkata to Pondicherry.

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After her marriage, she left India but then after a few years, she returned to Pondicherry and started a garment unit. Later she started to buy organic cotton from farmers in Telangana and Orissa. Today Anjali's company has a turnover of crores. Anjali is an inspiration for many others. 

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What Is A Small Business?

Small businesses behave as nominal organizational forms. Small businesses operate on a small-scale and are eligible for government support. Many government policies favour small businesses.

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Small businesses are corporations, partnerships or sole traders that have fewer employees and less annual revenue as compared to a regular size business. Small businesses are classified according to annual revenue, shipment, sales, or net profits. 

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Why Should You Own A Business?

Everyone has reasons to own a business. There can be a desire for a person to start a business or a passion. There are numerous reasons to own a business some of them are – 

• Be creative – it all depends on you what to produce and what to sell rather than following others’ formula. Starting a business gives you a chance to develop new ideas. As an entrepreneur each day you will find new ways to deal with things. 

• Lifestyle – when you own a business it provides you a more flexible lifestyle. When you are your boss you can opt for your schedules according to you. When you have just started a business it may not provide flexibility but eventually, it will. 

• Financial independence – financial comfort is the reason that business exists. There is no cap on how lucrative businesses can be. There are several financial benefits of starting a business.

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Ideas To Start A Business In Pondicherry – 

There are many ideas to start your business. But with so many options available there arises confusion about which is the best idea. So, the Fynd platform has put up together some best ideas that you consider starting in Pondicherry – 

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1. Bakery 

A retail bakery is a profitable business idea to start in Pondicherry. Bake and sell typical items that a French bakery sells as Pondicherry has a community of French people. You can consider opening a bakery of your own with a low investment.

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Many national and multinational brands offer franchises. You can also buy a franchise and become a business owner. The bakery business has evolved as a category of its own with a never-ending scope.

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 A home-based bakery is an ideal option for people who are new to this business world. There are many items to be explored in the bakery business, and it generates a handsome amount.

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From cakes to doughnuts there are multiple products that you can offer in a bakery. Cakes are the life of bakeries. Make sure that you make and sell delicious cakes for various occasions. And you can also sell customized cakes. 

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2. Beauty Salon 

If you are passionate about the beauty industry then you can open a salon or spa. The beauty industry has high potential and growth opportunities. Considering the opportunities in Pondicherry many brands offer franchises.

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Beauty salons and spas are the most profitable business in today’s times. Not only women but men also prefer going to salons. In the past few years, beauty salons have seen a significant surge. It is not an overstatement to say that salons and spas are the most profitable business. The hair and beauty industry generates revenue in millions. 

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To open a beauty salon or spa you need a systematic business plan, and it will play a significant role because the competition is high in the beauty industry. If you like doing make-up or styling then you can also become a make-up artist. The beauty industry is one of the most lucrative industries that generate a huge amount of profits. 

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Revenue within the Beauty & Personal Care advertise sums to US$25.45bn in 2022. The showcase is anticipated to develop yearly by 5.20% (CAGR 2022-2026).

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3. Car wash 

If you want to start a low-investment business then you can start a car wash business. To start a car wash business you will need upfront startup investment and planning.

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The car wash business is becoming prominent in cities and towns. With appropriate location and good quality services you can draw in many customers. People want their cars to be in a good condition at a reasonable price. To open a car wash – 

• Get all the licenses

• Buy good quality equipment 

• Hire employees who can properly perform the work 

• Market your business 

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To run your car wash business you can also provide additional services to your customers.  You don’t need to invest in the car wash business, it demands a moderate amount of investment. 

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4. Coffee shop

For young entrepreneurs starting a coffee shop can be a lucrative business idea. The coffee shop business is rising rapidly in Pondicherry. The expansion of national and multinational brands has provided growth opportunities for coffee shops.

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Coffee shops and café markets will see phenomenal growth in the upcoming year’s. Indians love to brew a cup of tea or coffee at any time. If you don’t want to start your own coffee shop you can join hands with a franchise and franchise has an established market. There are many organized and unorganized retail stores in the coffee industry. 

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Coffee is one of the most consumable beverages and people need it in between their work. A coffee shop is extremely profitable when done correctly. Coffee shops also serve as meeting hubs. Pass by any coffee shop or café, and it will have a crowd. A coffee shop is a profitable business idea in Pondicherry. 

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5. PCD Pharma 

PCD means Propaganda Cum Distribution and is popular as franchise marketing. Small pharma companies are included in this segment. Healthcare is an evergreen industry that shows no signs of fading.

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There are a lot of pharma companies that offer PCD franchises. You can start a PCD pharma business with a small amount of capital. Many PCD pharma franchises are existing in the market, the CD companies provide all the products to its branch franchise.

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PCD pharma and a pharma franchise works in the same way. Pharma franchise deals with large units but a PCD pharma works on a small unit. To start a PCD pharma business you don’t need much investment or capital, it involves low risk, high growth rate. While you do a PCD pharma business you don’t have to worry about meeting the targets. In the coming years a PCD pharma business will be a top business opportunity. 

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6. Courier services

Pondicherry has many small-scale, medium and large scale industries that create the demand for courier devices. The demand for courier services will not let you down in the city.

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Starting a courier service business will not demand huge capital investment. Starting a courier service is a lucrative business idea. Courier has become an essential service for businesses. Because of the rise in e-commerce the demand for courier service has expanded. 

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There are many franchises available such as DTDC, Professional courier, Amazon courier, Aramex courier and many more. You can also tie up with them and start your business.

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Before jumping to conclusions, do market research about the demand for services and competitors and define your niche. The courier service business will give high returns on investment as the demand for courier services is increasing. 

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7. Pizza business 

Pizza is an Italian food, but it has gained a lot of popularity in India. Youth prefer pizza to other food items. Recently many multinational retail chains have emerged in India to make the food available. It is the best option to open a pizza shop in Pondicherry. A lot of franchises are available nowadays. You can also buy one of them and start your business. 

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The French community in Pondicherry demands pizza. There are many franchises such as Dominos, la pinoz that have gained popularity because of the pizzas that they deliver. Everyone loves to have a slice of pizza and some people make it their livelihood.

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The very first thing you should do before starting a business is to make a business plan. Make sure that you have recipes or hire people who are good at making pizzas. As an entrepreneur, you should be aware of your competitors. 

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You can anticipate at least Rs. 100 on each pizza as a benefit, or you can increase it based on the ingredients. So, on a whole you'll anticipate 35% to 40% of profits in your Pizzeria trade. Pizza industry is currently worth over INR 1500 crores and has been developing at a CAGR of 26 percent for the last five years.

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8. Restaurant 

Pondicherry is a suitable place to start a restaurant. Many tourists visit Pondicherry throughout the year, so the demand for restaurants is high. You can open a restaurant according to your investment budget. There are many sub-segments such as fast food, nightclub, beer café, etc. Opening a restaurant will need proper planning. 

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The restaurant market is growing in India. Decide the concept of your business, arrange for the finances, evaluate the costs, design a menu, get in contact with suppliers for raw materials and market your business.

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Focus on the interior of your restaurant as it will attract customers. Location is an essential factor for your restaurant. Food and beverage industry is a fast-growing industry, and it is becoming profitable to own a restaurant. 

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9. Tourism 

Tourism is a prominent business idea in Pondicherry. Pondicherry receives a huge amount of domestic and foreign tourists, and they boost the city’s economy. Many places welcome the people in Pondicherry.

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Tourism industry holds several business opportunities. Tourism industry also includes and supports other industries such as the hospitality industry, food industry, and others. 

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Tourism industry creates opportunities for various businesses. Travel and tourism is a vast industry. As this industry grows many types of tourism business are evolving. Tourism has proved to be the most profitable business in Pondicherry.

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Tourism businesses can be started on a small scale or large scale. There are many services that you can provide in the tourism business. Tourism is a significant part of Pondicherry’s economy. 

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10. Brew pub 

The brew pub is a significant business opportunity in Pondicherry. The foreign inflow is substantial enough to successfully run the business. Localities visit Pondicherry to drink during the weekends. The territory has low taxation on alcoholic drinks. You should acquire all the necessary licenses and permissions of the government to run a brew pub. 

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You can offer unique flavour profiles to your customers. When it’s about alcohol people have authenticity in brands and brew pubs serve them with that authenticity. It’s the same alcohol all over the world, so you should offer something that is not easily available.

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Brew pubs stay profitable as they have enough margins. Brew pubs are growing tremendously popular. Brew pubs are restaurants that sell the beer on-site. Depending upon the state laws brew pubs can sell beer, wine and spirits from other manufactures. 

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In terms of volume, the brew showcase was esteemed at 5,533.73 Mn ltrs in 2020 and is anticipated to reach 9,004.74 Mn ltrs by 2025, extending at a compound yearly development rate (CAGR) of ~10.89% amid the 2021 - 2025 period

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11. Fishery 

Fishery is one of the main activities of Pondicherry. Pondicherry dwells on a coastal area, so it has access to water resources. Thousands of metric ton fishes are produced every year. People demand seafood and are even ready to pay higher prices. 

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Fishery is an ideal business to start in Pondicherry to earn substantial income. For enhancing and increasing the fishery business in Pondicherry, the government provides a slew of incentives.

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He also revitalized allied services like cold storage facilities, transportation services and others. Fish business is profitable as compared to its start-up cost. The fish industry is large and many people benefit from it.

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And fish-based goods are consumed all over the world. You can start farming a catfish, it is effective to start catfish farming. You can also open a fish shop or sell fish nutrients.

12. Food Processing business

The scope for the food processing business is high in Pondicherry. Its economy is mainly driven by agriculture and fishery. You can start an agrofood processing unit or fishery processing unit.

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You should pay high attention to the quality of food and properly pack the food items. The food industry is something that is never going down. Food processing industry covers everything from simple processes to advanced and sophisticated techniques. The food processing industry is developing at a fast pace, and it will be the leading industry in upcoming years. 

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The food processing industry dominates the franchise industry as food franchises are increasing in number day-by-day. Food is always in demand, and it is profitable to start a food processing business.

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Economic uncertainties do not affect the food industry much. There are a variety of food products that are covered in the food processing units. There are endless options to what you will be processing. 

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13. Handicrafts 

Opening a handicrafts store is a good idea. Pondicherry’s terracotta art and wood carving art are popular. Many things are carved out of wood such as toys, household things, decorative items, and many more.

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You should open your shop at a place with more tourist attractions. Handicrafts can give you high returns. Their handicrafts products can also be exported and can yield good returns.

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The handicraft industry is booming and people demand handmade products. Terracotta products are the most popular items that tourists visiting Pondicherry often buy. 

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Decorative handmade items are demanded because they are unique, and their designs cannot be copied. The quality of handicrafts products is the reason they are demanded. The handicrafts business is highly profitable. Jewellery, arts, soaps, and candles are some highly demanded handicrafts. 

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14. SEO 

SEO experts offer SEO services to businesses in Pondicherry. SEO is a process that makes your website easily available on search engines. SEO services help people grow their businesses.

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SEO experts actively collaborate with their customers and help them to understand the importance of integrated SEO. As search engines are evolving the SEO business is becoming more profitable. Providing SEO services is an ongoing endeavour that will need your constant attention. 

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SEO services are a type of professional services  you should have a proper knowledge about it. As many businesses and industries are operated in Pondicherry, SEO business will be an ideal option to get started with.

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The SEO business is rewarding personally and financially. Defining your niche is an important factor that you look in deeply and decide carefully about what all services you will be providing. 

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15. Home-based business 

Many businesses can be started and operated from home. Home-based business ideas are best for women. With a lot of options available you need to choose what type of business you will be doing.

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There are several ways to start a home-based business. You can open an online store or directly sell products to your customers. With a proper set of skills and knowledge, a home-based business can generate a good amount of income. 

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You should do proper research and analyse what type of business suits you. Home-based businesses have allowed many people to take up entrepreneurship. Technology plays a positive role in home-based businesses.

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There is a lot of variety to choose when deciding which business is to be started. Is it not necessary that home-based businesses should be full-time; they can also be a side hustle. The advantage of home based businesses is that they can be started with low investment and yield good returns. 

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16. Ecotourism

Ecotourism is a form of tourism that entertains tourists without harming the environment. The main purpose of ecotourism is that the wildlife and local community remains intact from the tourists.

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Ecotourism includes watching the wild animals in their natural habitat. This business has a growth potential in Pondicherry. To start an ecotourism business you should plan your business, define your business and make your business present online. Ecotourism is a low investment business that allows tourists to dive into the local culture of Pondicherry. 

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Ecotourism is a worldwide practice. For all those who are nature lovers ecotourism is an excellent and profitable business opportunity. The ecotourism industry is growing at the rate of 5% every year. Ecotourism encourages positive experiences for visitors. 

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Conclusion 

Pondicherry is a territory situated on the Coromandel Coast. The spurring of businesses altogether tells a different story. Pondicherry is the capital city of the Indian Union territory.

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Pondicherry is a tourist destination and a former French colony that attracts many French tourists. For the localities belonging to Chennai, Pondicherry is a weekend destination. 

The Fynd platform has put together some amazing business ideas that can be started in Pondicherry. There is a lot of scope for small-scale businesses in Pondicherry as the city is the home for many industries and businesses.

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Located in the southern part of India, Pondicherry is a famous destination for holidays. The Fynd platform has compiled some best business ideas according to the location and demand of people in Pondicherry.