e-commerce
Hiveminds packs a punch with Samsonite’s e-commerce growth strategy
MUMBAI: Samsonite India is zipping up its digital strategy with Hiveminds, a Madison World unit, securing the e-commerce marketing and retail media mandate for the premium luggage giant. Following a competitive multi-agency pitch, Hiveminds will spearhead Samsonite’s online acceleration across platforms like Amazon and Flipkart, ensuring high visibility, optimised media spends, and strong conversion rates.
Commenting on the collaboration, Hiveminds chief strategy officer Deepti Bhadauria said, “E-commerce platforms are becoming the primary search and buy platforms for affluent Indians. By leveraging platform expertise and data-driven insights, we will deliver high scale and good efficiency to Samsonite brands. We are thrilled to be partnering with a marquee brand and a dynamic marketing team at Samsonite.”
Samsonite India head of e-commerce & distribution Abhinaw Sinha added, “Samsonite is a well-established brand in retail and with a rise in digital-first shopping behaviors, we are committed to strengthening our e-commerce presence and maintaining our leadership in the Indian market. Hiveminds’s deep expertise in e-commerce marketing makes them the ideal partner to accelerate our online business and engage with the growing base of digital-savvy e-com shoppers effectively.”
This collaboration marks a strategic move for Samsonite, strengthening its dominance in the travel gear space while catering to the surge in digital-first shopping. With Hiveminds at the helm, Samsonite’s journey through India’s e-commerce landscape is set for a smooth take-off.
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.
