e-commerce
Culture Machine & Paintcollar launch online Being Indian store
MUMBAI: Culture Machine has extended its brand franchise in association with Paintcollar by launching an online Being Indian storeshop.beingindian.com. Through this strategic partnership, Paintcollar will power the Being Indian store which will feature the brand’s iconic art and designs inspired merchandise so as to further their reach within the BI fan following.
The e-commerce portal will update the portals designs on the online store on a weekly basis with art ranging from t-shirts, mobile covers, laptop skins and prints among others.
Following the massive success of the digital channel and fan demand, the venture also launched exclusive brand merchandise as an extension to create more conversations with the consumer. This extension has received a positive response among the fan base through engagements at various offline events such as Comic Con, The Lost Party and various college festivals across the country.
Culture Machine plans to take this forward through partnerships with popular YouTubers wherein consumers will get access to their merchandise on the Being Indian store online.
Speaking about the launch of the online store, Culture Machine president Siddharth Narula said, “Being Indian is one of the biggest successes in the digital space and has become synonymous with quirky urbane humour and sensibility. Launching an online store is the next logical step in expanding the franchise so we could give fans a more wholesome experience of the Being Indian universe. Through this store, we will be able to engage with fans across the length and breadth of the country with a unique brand experience.”
Launched in 2013, Being Indian has come a long way with fresh, young and bold content that resonates with the unapologetic and funny Indian. The channel currently has over 800,000 subscribers and 128 million views. Being Indian merchandise starts at Rs.399/- and the online store has a 15 percent discount as an introductory offer.
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.
