ZEPTO
Flipkart expands Hemant Badri’s role to drive AI agenda
Flipkart is appointing Hemant Badri to lead its AI initiatives, focusing on identifying and operationalising AI uses across the company. This strategic move, in partnership with CPTO Balaji Thiagarajan, aims to integrate AI into customer experience, seller tools, and internal productivity as the e-commerce landscape rapidly evolves.
India venture debt deployment grows marginally in 2025 to $1.3 billion: Report
Venture debt in India reached $1.3 billion in 2025. Deal numbers decreased, indicating slower startup funding. Venture capital investments remained stable. Venture debt's share in startup funding grew significantly. This trend mirrors mature global markets. Fintech dominated venture debt, followed by consumer and cleantech sectors. Growth credit also saw substantial deployment.
Kirana stores see dip in business as consumers shift to quick commerce: Report
Consumers are increasingly turning to quick commerce for everyday needs, leading to a reduced reliance on traditional kirana stores, a Grant Thornton Bharat report reveals. While kiranas remain vital for planned purchases, rapid expansion of platforms like Blinkit and Zepto is reshaping shopping habits, especially for groceries and personal care items, driven by convenience and speed.
Amazon India likely to shut down Fresh in top cities amid quick commerce push: UBS report
Amazon’s move comes at a time when ecommerce majors are expanding their quick commerce services to meet the growing demand. Amazon Now is currently operational in six cities, including Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. This is expected to be expanded to 10-15 top cities.
Platforms brace for impact as gig workforce returns home
According to industry executives, the daily active gig workers on quick commerce platforms are currently running 10-12% below early-2026 levels. The timing is particularly damaging. Typically, quick commerce as well as food delivery platforms see an uptick in demand during this period due to Indian Premier League (IPL) matches.
BigBasket, 1mg founders plan transition; QED's Morris flags credit tightening
Happy Friday! BigBasket and 1mg founders are preparing to step back from day-to-day roles. This and more in today's ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Founder exits loom over BigBasket, 1mg as Tata Digital reset continues
Bigbasket’s Hari Menon and Vipul Parekh are in the final stages of moving out amid the ongoing CEO search. Meanwhile, Prashant Tandon and Gaurav Agarwal of online pharmacy 1mg are assessing next steps due to a lack of clarity around IPO and exit path for other shareholders.
Oracle layoffs hit India hard; Qcomm apps print ad money
India bore the brunt of Oracle’s latest global layoffs amid rising automation. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
Ecommerce, quick commerce chasing ad spends with profitability in focus
Online platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit, Instamart, Zepto, Zomato, and Swiggy are set to earn substantial advertising revenue. This growth is fueled by integrated shopping experiences and advanced AI insights. Quick commerce is experiencing rapid expansion, with brands shifting ad spends for faster results.
Blinkit lands at Mumbai Airport, but not for all flyers
Blinkit has launched its services at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, with availability at Terminal 2 for domestic departures, CEO Albinder Dhindsa said.
Zetwerk IPO: Company files confidential papers for Rs 5,000 crore offering
Zetwerk IPO update: Zetwerk has filed a confidential prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Board of India for an IPO, and is planning a Rs 5,000 crore offering while exploring a pre-IPO round. The startup is facing weaker market conditions, with new-age IPOs under pricing pressure and investors seeking aggressive valuations. Its operating revenue fell 11% in fiscal 2025, though net loss narrowed.
Quick commerce, restaurant chains firing offers to cash in on IPL
Amazon Now, Flipkart Minutes and Instamart this weekend launched ‘match-ready’ deals on food and beverages brands with discounts of over 40%, while cafes and chains have kick-started promotions to leverage the high-decibel tournament that started on Saturday.
B2B firm Zetwerk eyes Rs 500 crore pre-IPO round at $3 billion valuation
Manufacturing marketplace Zetwerk is in discussions to raise approximately Rs 500 crore in pre-IPO funding from Bharat Value Fund and HNIs, valuing the company at Rs 25,000-26,000 crore. The company is also preparing to confidentially file draft IPO papers with Sebi for a public issue expected to be around Rs 5,000 crore.
War singes ecommerce, quick commerce supply chains as input costs rise
The first signs of stress, according to industry executives, are visible in packaging costs and inventory movement and fulfilment cycles, particularly for quick comm platforms that depend on high-frequency restocking. Demand-side pressures could emerge if fuel prices rise sharply, they said.
In consumer goods, access to capital no longer the primary differentiator; profitability key for survival
India's consumer businesses are changing their strategy. They are now focusing on profitability rather than just rapid growth. Digital platforms like e-commerce and quick commerce are helping brands reach customers efficiently. This allows for building demand first and then expanding distribution. Investors are backing businesses with strong economic fundamentals.
Eternal, Swiggy shares rally 3% but HSBC just reduced target prices. Should you buy?
Eternal and Swiggy shares rose after platform fee hikes, despite HSBC cutting target prices due to rising competition in quick commerce. The brokerage maintained a Buy on Zomato but a Hold on Swiggy, warning that higher pricing—especially at Blinkit—could hurt market share.
Zepto rolls out Pay Later facility
Quick commerce platform Zepto launched new features. These include a 'Pay Later' option for interest-free credit and real-time images of fresh produce. The company is moving beyond just fast delivery. It aims to reduce shopping friction and serve customers better. These changes focus on customer behaviour. The platform also added an 'Add After Checkout' function.
Food delivery startup Swish raises $38 million; valuation more than doubles
Swish has raised $38 million led by UK-based Hara Global and Bain Capital Ventures, with participation from Accel and others. Hara Global and Accel are existing investors in Swish, which has also raised venture debt as a part of this round from Alteria Capital and Stride Ventures, cofounder and CEO Aniket Shah told ET.
A summer of worry for food delivery, quick commerce companies
Food delivery and quick commerce platforms expect a surge in demand during summer and the IPL season, but rider availability remains uncertain. Demand for gig workers could rise 25%, while many return home for harvest and elections. Rising fuel prices, incentives, and competition are adding pressure on payouts and hiring plans.
Load More
