e-commerce
Click, cart, commitment: India’s e-shoppers want more than just speed
MUMBAI: Voice-activated shopping? Viral trends driving sales? Welcome to aisle 2030. Blue Dart Express Limited, part of DHL eCommerce, has just dropped the E-Commerce Trends Report 2025, and it’s clear: Indian online shoppers are not just clicking, they’re expecting. From AI-powered assistants to sustainability-first delivery, today’s buyers want tech with trust and purchases that feel purposeful.
Drawing from consumer insights across generations and shopper types, the report explores what’s really pushing the buy button for Indians online. And it’s not just deals or discounts, it’s delivery reliability, eco-credibility, and the seamlessness of a Tiktok-to-checkout experience.
Almost 89 per cent of Indian shoppers want AI-powered features think virtual try-ons, voice-based product search, and digital shopping assistants. And this isn’t wishful thinking 64 per cent are already shopping hands-free. AI isn’t a futuristic add-on anymore; it’s becoming the new filter on the retail lens.
Forget browsers. 84 per cent of Indian consumers have already made a purchase via social media, and a whopping 90 per cent say Instagram, Facebook and Youtube could be their primary shopping destinations by 2030. Influencers are doing more than trending dances 93 per cent of Indian buyers say social buzz shapes what lands in their carts.
Cart abandonment isn’t about indecision, it’s about expectation. 80 per cent of shoppers say they’ll cancel a purchase if their preferred delivery option isn’t available. And if the returns process doesn’t match expectations? Another 81 per cent walk away. Even trust in the courier matters: over half (54 per cent) won’t buy from retailers with unreliable logistics partners. In e-commerce, convenience is king and logistics is the throne.
Sustainability is no longer a bonus, it’s a baseline. 82 per cent of shoppers now weigh eco-friendliness before clicking “buy.” Whether it’s over packaging waste or carbon-heavy delivery, 59 per cent have ditched carts due to sustainability concerns. Plus, 52 per cent say they’re opting for pre-owned goods, and 81 per cent are open to recycling or buy-back schemes.
“Convenience, choice and control are non-negotiable,” said Blue Dart managing director Balfour Manuel. “Despite digital leaps, delivery and returns remain the heartbeat of consumer experience. Brands must evolve beyond tech towards transparency, purpose and seamless execution.”
As AI reshapes interfaces, social media morphs into shopping malls, and sustainability steers decisions, this report offers a sneak peek into the shopper of tomorrow. Retailers that listen closely and deliver boldly may just turn browsing into belonging.
Because in 2025, a smooth checkout isn’t enough. Shoppers want a story, a stance and same-day delivery.
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.
