e-commerce
Crocs on the Clock as Swiggy Instamart Delivers in Just 10 Minutes
MUMBAI: In a move that blends speed with style, Swiggy Instamart has teamed up with Apparel Group to bring Crocs to consumers in just 10 minutes, a first for the global footwear brand in India’s quick commerce space. Shoppers in Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, and Gurgaon can now grab iconic Crocs styles like the Classic Clog and Classic Sandal instantly, just in time for Holi and the summer season.
Swiggy Instamart’s latest partnership underscores its expansion into fashion and lifestyle categories, making premium footwear just a click away. Swiggy Instamart CEO Amitesh Jha highlighted the significance of the collaboration, “At Swiggy Instamart, we’re constantly exploring ways to bring customers what they love faster than ever. With Holi and summer around the corner, we’re excited to introduce a globally loved brand like Crocs, giving customers a seamless and instant shopping experience.”
For Crocs, the partnership is about enhancing accessibility and making its iconic designs more readily available. Crocs, senior VP and GM (ROW) Adrian Holloway shared, “We’re thrilled that, through our partnership with Swiggy Instamart and Apparel Group, customers can now get their favourite Crocs styles in minutes. This service redefines convenience, making it easier than ever to step into style.”
Apparel Group India CEO Abhishek Bajpai added, “This marks our brand’s first foray into quick commerce, and we are confident this collaboration will allow us to serve our customers faster and more efficiently. With Holi and summer ahead, we’re bringing the best in fashion footwear straight to their doorstep.”
Starting March 2025, select Crocs footwear will be available for immediate delivery across major cities, with further expansion planned in the coming weeks. Swiggy co-founder Phani Kishan also took to social media to tease the latest offering for fashion and footwear lovers. As quick commerce reshapes shopping habits, Swiggy Instamart is stepping ahead by bringing instant retail convenience to new categories because now, fashion waits for no one!
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.
