e-commerce
eBay signs MoU with Uttar Pradesh govt for ‘One District One Product’ program
NEW DELHI: eBay today signed an MoU with the government of Uttar Pradesh for its ‘One District One Product’ program. The MoU will enable MSMEs in Uttar Pradesh to leverage eBay’s cross border platform and sell internationally across 190 countries. As part of the MoU, eBay will not only promote local art and crafts but will also help in skill development and self-employment.
This association will enable ODOP sellers and traders to seamlessly undertake e-commerce retail exports to over 190 markets in the world through a globally established marketplace platform.
To empower indigenous crafts and goods and support them with a competitive edge, eBay will offer special schemes (pricing and other benefits) curated specifically for sellers and traders associated with the ODOP cell. In addition to this, eBay will train and provide sellers with requisite knowledge and skill-set about various aspects of online retail including listing products online, shipping policies, and product descriptions amongst others to undertake transactions with audiences across the globe.
Government of UP additional chief secretary (ACS), MSME & export promotion Navneet Sehgal said, “the government is working to catalyze entrepreneurship and creating an ecosystem that promotes better market for outputs, such as handicrafts, leather products, wood & metal craft. At the same time, the MSME sector needs a bridge to swiftly tap hitherto unexplored opportunities and sell indigenous products in the international market. This is where the role of companies like eBay becomes pivotal. By leveraging partnerships with rural MSMEs and artisans, eBay, like our other eCommerce partners can help ODOP aligned artisans explore endless opportunities across the spectrum of indigenous skills. In order to achieve ‘Make in India’ greater heights, partnerships like these will play an important role in amplifying the multi-sectoral role that MSMEs can play. I hope eBay will also help us to become a global hub for exports of handicrafts and other goods”.
eBay India country manager Vidmay Naini said, “We are delighted to partner with the Government of Uttar Pradesh’s One District One Product program. Being a true marketplace, eBay has always recognized the immense potential and scope of MSMEs and artisans from across Indian markets. Through this association, we are delighted to introduce the sellers and artisans from Uttar Pradesh to a world full of opportunities across the globe. We will work in conjunction with the state government to further bring about modifications in policies hereby boosting e-commerce retail trade from Uttar Pradesh.”
“We are strongly in favor of the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s appeal to be local for vocal and promote Indian entrepreneurs globally,” added Vidmay Naini.
eBay will work closely with Government of Uttar Pradesh ODOP team to onboard sellers and expand their business globally. The association will also allow eBay access to relevant government bodies, industry, and trade associations and initiate meaningful dialogue to ease the norms for e-commerce retail exports in India.
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.
