Introduction

Food fills most of a supermarket’s aisles, but non-food products matter just as much to a retailer’s business. Personal care, clothing, bags and stationery add variety to a shop, raise the value of each customer’s basket and often earn healthy margins. For businesses, non-food supplies such as printed stationery and branded bags are everyday necessities.

Alongside our food brands, we supply four non-food lines of our own, plus selected partner non-food brands from other companies: Hakgala Herbal Cosmetics, our range of traditional Ayurvedic herbal products; Duiker, our own clothing brand; reusable non-woven bags, plain or printed with your branding; and printed stationery, drawing on our design and print expertise. Ordering them from the same supplier as Hakgala tea, Desco coffee and Udari spices means fewer suppliers, fewer deliveries and one invoice.

This article explains each non-food line, who buys it, how it should be stored and displayed, and the rules that apply. It ends with an illustrative example and answers to common questions.

Why stock non-food lines alongside food

Many retailers grow by adding carefully chosen non-food lines to their food range. The benefits include:

• Bigger baskets. A shopper buying groceries may add a herbal oil, a reusable bag or a T-shirt, raising the value of each visit.
• Better margins. Non-food products often carry healthier margins than everyday staples.
• Reasons to visit. A wider range gives shoppers more reasons to choose your store.
• Simpler buying. Sourcing food and non-food lines from one supplier saves time, paperwork and delivery costs.

Hakgala Herbal Cosmetics

The brand

Hakgala Herbal Cosmetics is part of our Hakgala brand family and is marketed by Dsigngo Marketing. The products are made by Ruwana Ayurvedic Laboratory, powered by Hakgala Herbal Cosmetics, following recipes handed down through a long line of traditional Ayurvedic practitioners and using extracts of indigenous herbal plants.

Ayurveda, Sri Lanka’s traditional system of health care, remains popular with shoppers who prefer herbal products for everyday care. Ayurvedic oils and pastes are widely used for hair care, massage and body care, and they are sold in pharmacies, Ayurveda shops, supermarkets and wellness stores.

The range

You can read more about each product on our Hakgala Herbal Cosmetics page.

Honest claims

We describe Hakgala Herbal Cosmetics by their traditional uses. We do not claim that any product cures, prevents or treats disease, and we ask retailers not to make such claims either. Shop staff should advise customers to:

• read the directions and ingredients before use;
• do a small patch test before using a new oil or paste on the skin;
• stop using a product if irritation develops; and
• see a doctor for persistent pain, unexplained weight changes, bleeding, or any symptom that is severe, worsening or long-lasting.

Honest descriptions protect shoppers, build trust and keep retailers on the right side of advertising rules.

Selling tips

• Place herbal oils and pastes together in a clear “Ayurvedic care” section, near other personal care products.
• Give staff simple notes on what each product is traditionally used for.
• Keep products away from direct sunlight and heat, which can affect oils.
• Pharmacies and Ayurveda shops can display the range near the counter, where customers often ask for advice.

Duiker clothing

The brand

Duiker is our own clothing brand. Because our group designs and produces apparel for other businesses, Duiker benefits from the same attention to fabric, fit, print and finish that we give to client work. Duiker’s range includes everyday T-shirts, and our apparel team can also produce branded and custom garments for corporate buyers.

Who buys Duiker wholesale

• Clothing retailers and boutiques, looking for well-made everyday basics;
• Supermarkets and department stores with clothing sections;
• Corporate buyers, for staff T-shirts, events and promotions; and
• Schools, clubs and organisations, for team and event wear.

What buyers should check

You can read more about our apparel work on our Apparel Manufacturing page.

Selling tips

• Display T-shirts folded by size and colour, with one shown on a hanger or model.
• Offer multi-buy deals on basics, which shoppers often buy in twos or threes.
• Restock popular sizes first; medium and large usually sell fastest.

Non-woven bags

What they are

Non-woven bags are made from polypropylene fibres bonded together into a strong, fabric-like sheet, rather than woven. They are light, tough, reusable many times, and can be printed with logos and messages. Their weight is often described in grams per square metre (GSM): higher GSM bags are thicker and stronger.

Why demand is growing

Sri Lanka has been tightening rules on single-use plastic for several years. Thin polythene of 20 microns or less was banned in 2017, and from 1 November 2025, a Consumer Affairs Authority gazette requires traders to charge customers for polythene bags with handles, instead of giving them away free. Supermarkets were the first to apply the change. As shoppers start paying for plastic bags, reusable bags become a more attractive choice, for shoppers and for retailers who want to reduce plastic use.

Who buys them

• Supermarkets and retailers, to sell or give away as reusable shopping bags carrying the store’s branding;
• Businesses and organisations, for events, conferences, promotions and gift packs;
• Brands, as promotional bags and gift-with-purchase items; and
• Schools and institutions, for events and stationery packs.

Options

Our design team can prepare the artwork for printed bags, so your store’s logo and message look right.

Printed stationery

What we supply

Our printed stationery draws on our design and printing expertise. Wholesale and business customers can order:

• letterheads, envelopes and business cards;
• carbonless (carbonised) bill books, receipt books and order books;
• diaries and notebooks;
• wall and table calendars; and
• product catalogues and company profiles.

Who buys it

Retailers use printed bill books, receipt books and branded bags every day. Restaurants and hotels need order pads, menus and branded stationery. Corporate customers order diaries and calendars for staff and clients, especially before the new year. You can read more on our Stationery Supply page.

Planning ahead

Diaries and calendars sell and are ordered most heavily in the last months of the year, so corporate buyers should place orders early to allow time for design, proofing and printing.

Choosing the right non-woven bag

Choosing the right bag depends on what it will carry and how it will be used. This simple guide helps buyers decide:

Before placing a large order, ask for a sample bag, load it with the kind of goods your customers buy, and check the handles and seams. Printed bags need artwork approval before production, so allow time for proofing.

Merchandising non-food lines in a food store

Non-food products sell best when they are easy to find and clearly presented:

• Create clear zones. Group personal care, clothing and bags in their own areas, separate from food.
• Use the checkout. Reusable bags sell well at the till, especially now that shoppers pay for plastic bags.
• Tell the story. A small sign explaining that Hakgala Herbal Cosmetics follow traditional Ayurvedic recipes, or that Duiker is a Sri Lankan clothing brand, helps shoppers choose.
• Keep displays tidy. Folded clothing and neatly arranged cosmetics look more appealing and are easier to restock.
• Rotate seasonal stock. Feature gift-friendly items, such as herbal care sets and printed bags, before festive seasons.

Corporate and promotional orders

Many businesses buy non-food products for their own use, not for resale:

• Staff wear: T-shirts for staff, events and team days;
• Promotional bags: printed bags for product launches, trade fairs and customer gifts;
• Stationery: branded letterheads, business cards, diaries and calendars; and
• Gift packs: combinations of Hakgala tea, Desco coffee, Udari cashews and printed bags for clients and staff.

Because our group includes design teams, we can prepare artwork for printed items and help corporate buyers create gift packs that reflect their brand. For these orders, we recommend allowing time for design approval, sampling where needed and production, especially before the year-end and festive seasons.

What shoppers expect from herbal products

Shoppers who buy Ayurvedic and herbal products want to feel confident about what they are buying. They look for:

• A clear origin, such as a named Ayurvedic laboratory and brand;
• Simple directions explaining how and how often to use the product;
• Ingredient information, especially for people with sensitive skin;
• Honest descriptions of traditional use rather than exaggerated promises; and
• Good packaging that protects oils and pastes from leaking or spoiling.

Hakgala Herbal Cosmetics are presented with these expectations in mind, and our retail partners can help by giving shoppers accurate information and sensible advice.

Partner non-food brands

We also distribute selected non-food brands from other companies, chosen to complement our own range. Before adding a partner brand, we check product quality, labelling, honest claims and reliable supply. For personal care products, we only add brands whose descriptions are accurate and responsible. Partner non-food products can be ordered together with our own brands on one delivery and one invoice. Ask us for the current list of partner brands in your category.

Storing non-food products

Keep non-food products, especially cosmetics, separate from open foods, and keep cleaning chemicals away from both.

Checking non-food deliveries

A quick check on arrival helps catch problems early:

• Herbal cosmetics: check that caps are sealed, labels are intact and there are no leaks in the carton.
• Clothing: check styles, colours and the size ratio against your order, and look for marks or loose threads on a sample of pieces.
• Non-woven bags: check the count, size and colour, and that printing is clear, correctly positioned and matches the approved artwork.
• Stationery: check quantities, numbering on bill books, and that printed details such as phone numbers and addresses are correct.

Report any problem to us straight away, with photos where possible, so it can be put right quickly.

Ordering non-food and food together

One of the main advantages of buying from us is that food and non-food lines can arrive together. A supermarket can receive Hakgala tea, Udari spices, Hakgala Herbal Cosmetics and printed non-woven bags in one delivery, with one invoice. A hotel can receive Desco sachets, Hakgala tea, printed order pads and staff T-shirts together. Insights Article 7 explains our ordering process.

A buyer’s checklist for non-food orders

Before you request a quotation, it helps to have these details ready:

• Products and quantities: which Hakgala Herbal Cosmetics, Duiker styles, bag types or stationery items you need, and roughly how many.
• Sizes and colours: size ratios for clothing, and bag or paper colours.
• Branding: your logo files and any message to be printed on bags, garments or stationery.
• Packing: whether you need items individually bagged, labelled or packed in mixed cartons.
• Timing: the date you need delivery, especially for events, promotions and the new year.
• Delivery address: where the order should be delivered, and any receiving hours.

With these details, we can prepare an accurate quotation and, for printed items, a proof for your approval.

Illustrative example

The following example is illustrative and does not describe a real customer.

A pharmacy chain wants to expand its herbal care section and reduce its use of plastic bags. It asks us for samples of the Hakgala Herbal Cosmetics range and a quotation for printed non-woven bags with the pharmacy’s logo.

After reviewing the products, the chain stocks six Hakgala products in its larger branches, with simple staff notes describing each product’s traditional use and reminding staff to recommend a doctor for persistent symptoms. The printed bags are offered to customers at the counter, and the pharmacy later orders printed bill books and calendars from us for the new year.

Frequently asked questions

What non-food products do you supply wholesale?

Hakgala Herbal Cosmetics, Duiker clothing, non-woven bags and printed stationery.

Who makes Hakgala Herbal Cosmetics?

They are made by Ruwana Ayurvedic Laboratory, powered by Hakgala Herbal Cosmetics, using traditional Ayurvedic recipes and indigenous herbal extracts.

Do Hakgala Herbal Cosmetics cure diseases?

No. They are traditional Ayurvedic products, described by their traditional uses. Anyone with persistent or serious symptoms should see a doctor.

Can you print our logo on non-woven bags?

Yes. Bags can be supplied plain or printed with your logo and message, and our design team can prepare the artwork.

Can we order custom T-shirts for staff or events?

Yes. Alongside the Duiker range, our apparel team can produce branded and custom garments for corporate and event orders.

Can I combine non-food and food products in one order?

Yes. Food and non-food lines can be combined on one order, delivery and invoice.

Are non-woven bags better for the environment than plastic bags?

Reusable bags reduce waste when they are used many times. The more often a shopper reuses a non-woven bag, the greater the benefit compared with single-use plastic bags.

How should herbal oils be stored in a shop?

Keep them upright in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat, with caps tightly closed.

Do you supply Duiker clothing in mixed sizes?

Yes. Tell us the size ratio you need, for example more medium and large than small, and we will pack your order accordingly.

Conclusion

Non-food lines help retailers grow baskets and margins, and they give businesses the everyday supplies they need. Hakgala Herbal Cosmetics bring traditional Ayurvedic care to shelves, Duiker offers well-made clothing, non-woven bags give shoppers a reusable alternative as plastic bag rules tighten, and our printed stationery keeps shops, restaurants and offices running.

Ready to add our non-food range? Contact us for samples and a quotation.

Request Non-Food Samples

Sources

• Ada Derana, fee to be charged for polythene bags with handles (November 2025): https://www.adaderana.lk/news/114166/fee-to-be-charged-for-polythene-bags-with-handles-from-today
• Eco-Business, Sri Lanka moves to curb plastic waste with bottle ban and bag fees: https://www.eco-business.com/news/sri-lanka-moves-to-curb-plastic-waste-with-bottle-ban-and-bag-fees/
• The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka), polythene ban enforcement (2017): https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/sunday-times-sri-lanka/20171105/281702614983525
• Mongabay, Sri Lanka charges for plastic bags (2026): https://news.mongabay.com/2026/06/sri-lanka-bans-single-use-plastic-bottles-at-government-events-charges-for-plastic-bags/
• Hakgala Herbal Cosmetics product information (Dsigngo Group brand page): https://dsigngo.com/hakgala-herbal-cosmetics/