e-commerce
Eternal teams up with OpenAI to supercharge AI across Zomato and Blinkit
Collaboration targets merchant tools, partner assistants and internal automation via Stitch platform.
MUMBAI: Eternal isn’t just ordering food, it’s ordering up a major AI upgrade. The company behind Zomato, Blinkit, District, Hyperpure, Feeding India and AI-native venture Nugget has joined forces with OpenAI to weave advanced AI deeper into its sprawling commerce ecosystem. The partnership taps OpenAI’s Enterprise API to deploy models across Eternal’s apps, partner platforms and internal systems. Key focus areas include AI-assisted workflows for merchants and delivery partners, contextual AI assistants embedded in partner portals, next-gen search and discovery experiments, and accelerated product iteration at Nugget.
Internally, Eternal is eyeing OpenAI’s latest coding models including GPT-5.3-Codex to power Stitch, its in-house automation and developer orchestration platform. Stitch already handles end-to-end automation across engineering and non-engineering teams, the integration aims to slash manual work, speed up shipping and streamline complex workflows.
The collaboration extends to a structured Partner Upskilling Program, rolling out advanced AI tools and assistants to Eternal’s restaurant and delivery partner network to boost operational efficiency, compliance and decision-making.
Eternal, Group CEO Albinder Dhindsa captured the excitement, “From high leverage areas like software development to real on-ground implications of influencing operations, we are learning about the evolving implementations of newer and developing tools in the AI landscape. We are happy that this collaboration with OpenAI will open up even more surface area for us to learn and innovate.”
OpenAI International managing director Oliver Jay added, “Eternal operates at a meaningful scale across consumer and partner platforms. We are excited to support their teams in applying AI advancements to real-world systems, from AI-native ventures to partner-facing initiatives.”
In a market where speed, scale and smarts define winners, this tie-up positions Eternal to turn everyday orders into smarter, faster experiences, one AI prompt at a time. Whether you’re swiping for dinner or delivering it, the future just got a little more intelligent.
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.
