e-commerce
Flash AI clicks with shoppers bringing smart buys to 100 plus countries
MUMBAI: Shopping just got a supercharged upgrade. Flash.co has unveiled Flash AI, a first-of-its-kind AI Shopping Assistant designed to make buying easier, smarter and cheaper for over 1 billion ecommerce shoppers worldwide. Launched across 100 plus countries, the tool promises to cut through the online clutter and help users make faster, better-informed decisions.
The Bengaluru-headquartered startup, founded by ex-Flipkart SVP Ranjith Boyanapalli and backed by Blume Ventures, Global Founders Capital and Peer Capital, introduces a clever twist simply add flash.co/ before any product URL, and Flash AI instantly generates an AI-enhanced product page. Shoppers are served an AI summary compiled from sources like Youtube, Reddit and expert blogs, while real-time price comparisons across multiple online stores ensure no one overpays.
“With Flash AI, we aim to craft a commerce intelligence layer that helps shoppers make better, faster decisions,” said Flash.co founder & CEO Ranjith Boyanapalli. “Built on insights from over 2 billion anonymised data points, Flash AI will lead the global shift into AI-driven commerce, setting a new standard for the industry.”
The launch comes at a time when global ecommerce is set to cross 7 trillion dollars, with 30 million plus stores and tens of billions of SKUs vying for attention. With 78 per cent of shoppers admitting to feeling overwhelmed by too many choices, Flash AI’s pitch is timely: clear, authentic insights and the best price in seconds.
Beyond discovery and comparison, the platform also helps shoppers track orders, refunds, warranties and spending. Available via the Flash website, WhatsApp and mobile app, Flash AI is betting that when it comes to ecommerce, intelligence pays literally.
e-commerce
Flipkart rolls out 105 per cent bonus for 20,000 employees
Strong FY25 performance drives payouts even as layoffs and shifts unfold.
MUMBAI: In a year where belts were tightened and rewards loosened, Flipkart seems to be playing both offence and defence trimming roles on one hand while handing out a generous 105 per cent bonus on the other. The Walmart owned e commerce major has rolled out a 105 per cent bonus payout for 2025, covering nearly 20,000 employees, signalling a year of steady operational momentum even as the company navigates restructuring pressures. The payout, communicated internally by chief human resources officer Seema Nair, is tied to performance across key metrics including growth, operational efficiency, financial outcomes and people indicators, a combination that suggests the company is inching closer to its long stated goal of sustainable profitability.
Employees at SD level and below are set to receive their bonuses in March, while payouts for senior leadership, including vice presidents and senior vice presidents, will follow after the close of the performance cycle. The elevated 105 per cent multiplier stands out in a sector where cautious payouts have increasingly become the norm, pointing to what appears to be a relatively strong internal scorecard for FY25.
Yet, the announcement arrives with a noticeable contrast. Earlier this year, Flipkart reduced its workforce by around 300 roles as part of its annual performance review process. While officially framed as performance driven, the juxtaposition of layoffs alongside above target bonuses reflects a more nuanced balancing act, one that prioritises cost discipline while continuing to reward and retain high performing talent.
This dual approach is becoming increasingly common across the technology and e commerce landscape, where companies are navigating an uneven hiring environment while under pressure to deliver profitability. Rewarding top contributors, even amid selective workforce reductions, allows firms to maintain morale and retain critical talent without losing sight of financial prudence.
At the same time, Flipkart is also undergoing leadership shifts that hint at a broader strategic recalibration. Nishant Verman has been appointed senior vice president for corporate development and partnerships, while group chief financial officer Sriram Venkataraman is set to step down. Ravi Iyer will take on expanded responsibilities within the finance function, marking a reshuffle at the top as the company gears up for its next phase.
These changes come amid reports that Flipkart is planning to shift its holding structure back to India, a move widely interpreted as groundwork for a potential public listing. While timelines remain fluid, the combination of stronger financial discipline, leadership restructuring and employee incentivisation suggests a company preparing itself for greater scrutiny and scale.
For employees, the 105 per cent payout offers a welcome boost in what has otherwise been a period of adjustment. For Flipkart, it is a signal that even as it cuts where necessary, it is willing to spend where it counts. In the high stakes game of growth versus profitability, the company appears to be hedging its bets carefully, rewarding performance while reshaping itself for what could be its most defining chapter yet.
