e-commerce
Instamart partners with Samsung for instant Galaxy S26 Ultra delivery
Quick-commerce platform promises launch-day access in metros via high-energy DVC.
MUMBAI: Instamart just turned launch day into lunch day because when the Galaxy S26 Ultra drops, why queue when you can order biryani and a flagship in the same breath? Instamart has teamed up with Samsung to offer instant delivery of the newly launched Galaxy S26 Ultra across metros, redefining how consumers experience smartphone launches. The collaboration, announced on 7 March 2026, brings the world’s first AI phone with a privacy display to customers’ doorsteps within minutes of availability.
A high-energy digital video commercial (DVC), conceptualised by Moonshot, captures the shift: a glitzy launch event builds to a dramatic reveal, only for Instamart delivery partners to emerge from the crowd, swing onto the stage Bollywood-style, grab demo units and rush them out. The scene cuts to a customer receiving the phone at home moments later, with the punchline: “Skip the queue, get the newly launched Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra instantly on Instamart.”
Swiggy head of brand Mayur Hola said, “At Instamart, we’ve always believed convenience should keep up with culture. The new Galaxy S26 Ultra is now seeing tremendous buzz. The idea was simple. What if you could get your Samsung phones the very moment they launch?”
The Galaxy S26 Ultra introduces groundbreaking features including the world’s first privacy display, advanced nightography, Photo Assist and more, engineered to make everyday experiences seamless. Instamart’s 2025 order data shows smartphones as one of its fastest-growing categories, positioning the platform as a launch partner for premium brands merging cultural moments with rapid fulfilment.
In a market where anticipation meets instant gratification, Instamart and Samsung aren’t just delivering phones, they’re delivering the future of launch day, one doorbell ring at a time.
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.
