Client Overview
Chavan Brothers, formerly known as Kamgar Masala, is a name deeply rooted in the cultural and culinary history of Mumbai. Founded in 1937 by Late Shri Vishnu Natha Chavan in Lalbaug (Girangaon), South Mumbai, the business began as a humble spice shop serving mill workers and local households with freshly ground, authentic Indian spices.
Over the decades, Chavan Brothers evolved into a trusted, multi-generation family business, now led by the third generation of the Chavan family. From pioneering the use of electric tools in spice grinding in 1965 to introducing quality-driven processes like removing chili stalks to enhance taste, the brand has always balanced tradition with innovation.
Today, Chavan Brothers supplies spices across Maharashtra and exports to international markets, maintaining the same authenticity, aroma, and taste that made them famous locally. However, as customer buying behavior shifted toward online channels, the brand recognized the need to extend its legacy into the digital space.
Business Challenges
Despite its strong brand reputation and loyal customer base, Chavan Brothers faced several limitations in scaling its business through modern channels.
The biggest challenge was the absence of an online sales platform, which restricted customer access to physical stores or manual order-taking over phone and messaging apps. This made order handling time-consuming, error-prone, and difficult to track.
Operationally, the team struggled with: - Managing orders manually without real-time visibility - Handling payment confirmations and failures efficiently - Providing customers with a smooth and trustworthy checkout experience - Expanding reach beyond existing customers without a structured e-commerce system
From a growth perspective, the brand risked losing younger, digital-first customers who preferred online shopping, digital payments, and doorstep delivery, especially for repeat purchases of daily-use spices.
JMDA’s Approach & Strategy
JMDA approached the project with a deep respect for the brand’s legacy, understanding that this was not just about building a website, but about digitally enabling a heritage business without disturbing its traditional values.
Our process started with detailed discussions with the owners to understand: - Their current order flow - Product variety and categorization logic - Customer expectations from an online platform - Payment and order fulfillment challenges
Based on this understanding, JMDA designed a simple, scalable, and easy-to-manage e-commerce ecosystem, ensuring that the technology stayed in the background while the products and brand story remained front and center.
Solutions Delivered
JMDA designed and developed a complete online shopping platform tailored specifically for Chavan Brothers’ business model.
Online Shopping Platform (E-commerce Website)
A clean, user-friendly e-commerce website was built to allow customers to browse, select, and order spices easily from any device.
User Module
Customers can register, log in, manage their profiles, and track their orders, making repeat purchases faster and more convenient.
Product Category & Product Modules
Products were structured into clear categories, allowing customers to quickly find specific masalas, blends, or traditional spice products without confusion.
Add to Cart & Shopping Cart Modules
Customers can add multiple products, adjust quantities, and review their selections before checkout, similar to modern retail shopping experiences.
Checkout Module
A streamlined checkout process was implemented to reduce drop-offs, guiding users step-by-step from cart review to payment confirmation.
Payment Gateway Integration (Worldline)
Worldline payment gateway was securely integrated, enabling customers to make online payments using trusted and widely accepted methods.
Online Order Management Portal
A dedicated backend portal allows the Chavan Brothers team to: - View new orders in real time - Track payment status - Manage successful and failed transactions - Process and fulfill orders efficiently
Order Success & Failure Handling
The system automatically handles payment success and failure scenarios, ensuring accurate order status updates and reducing manual follow-ups.
Technology Stack
The solution was built using a robust and scalable technology stack to ensure performance, security, and future readiness.
- Frontend: Responsive web interface using modern HTML, CSS, and JavaScript frameworks
- Backend: Secure server-side application with custom business logic
- Database: Structured relational database for products, users, and orders
- Payment Gateway: Worldline Payment Gateway integration
- APIs: Secure APIs for payment processing and order updates
- Hosting & Security: Optimized hosting environment with standard security practices
Implementation Highlights
One of the key strengths of this project was customization without complexity. The system was designed so that non-technical staff could easily manage products and orders.
Automation reduced manual work significantly, especially in payment verification and order status updates. The platform was built with scalability in mind, allowing the business to add new products, categories, or regions without reworking the system.
Special attention was given to: - Data security, especially for payments and customer information - Mobile responsiveness, considering the high number of mobile users - Fast loading and smooth navigation, ensuring a pleasant shopping experience
Business Impact & Results
The digital transformation delivered clear and measurable benefits.
Chavan Brothers gained a 24/7 online sales channel, allowing customers from different locations to place orders anytime without dependency on store hours.
Operational efficiency improved as order processing became centralized and automated, reducing errors and saving staff time. Payment tracking became transparent, eliminating confusion around failed or pending transactions.
From a business growth standpoint, the brand: - Expanded its reach beyond walk-in customers - Improved customer convenience and satisfaction - Strengthened its presence among younger, online-first buyers - Built a scalable foundation for future digital initiatives
Why JMDA
JMDA was chosen not just for technical expertise, but for its problem-solving mindset and collaborative approach.
We focused on understanding the business before suggesting solutions, ensuring that technology genuinely supported operations instead of complicating them. Our team worked closely with the client throughout the journey, offering clarity, flexibility, and long-term support.
JMDA’s strength lies in building systems that grow with the business, not just deliver one-time projects.
Conclusion
By partnering with JMDA, Chavan Brothers successfully transitioned from a purely traditional retail model to a modern, digital-first business while preserving its rich heritage and authenticity.
This project stands as an example of how legacy brands can embrace technology thoughtfully, using it as a tool to scale, simplify operations, and reach new generations of customers.
JMDA continues to support Chavan Brothers as a trusted technology partner, ensuring that a brand born in 1937 remains relevant, accessible, and competitive in the digital age.
