e-commerce
NDTV’s e-commerce venture Indianroots.com raises Rs 32 crores
MUMBAI: NDTV’s e-commerce venture IndianRoots.com has received fresh funding of approximately Rs 32 crore ($5 million) from Jaipur-based KJS Group, which in turn values the firm at Rs 545 crore ($85 million).
The company, which falls under NDTV Ethnic, will use the funds to scale up the portal’s logistics and delivery mechanisms, and expand its marketing activity with the aim to be the market leader in Indian fashion in the year ahead.
Launched in mid-2013, Indianroots.com showcases more than 100 designers and over 700 brands on its curated online marketplace. It has a worldwide customer base, with India and USA being the largest markets.
“With the fresh investment in the business and the complete backing of the NDTV Group, IndianRoots will be able to push harder in achieving its plans for the year. We look forward to our partnership with the KJS Group in strengthening the IndianRoots venture,” said NDTV co-chairperson Prannoy Roy.
NDTV Ethnic achieved gross merchandise value (GMV) of Rs 61 crore in the year ending 31 March, 2015, which was a twelvefold jump over the previous year.
Speaking about the company’s investment, KJS Group chairman Kamaljeet Singh Ahluwalia and director Karanpal Singh said, “Given our interest in the e-commerce sector, partnering with a respected and credible organisation such as NDTV was the obvious choice for us. Given the clear positioning of IndianRoots and its achievements in the Indian fashion domain, we are confident that the business has a great growth story ahead.”
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.
