e-commerce
Paytm appoints Alibaba’s Bhushan Patil as new president
MUMBAI: Paytm, mobile payment and commerce platform, has appointed Bhushan Patil as its new president. Patil will focus on building the company’s cross border commerce. Paytm’s Indian business aims to sell $2 billion worth of products in 2016 and is looking at growing its sellers to 5 lakh from 1.7 lakh currently. Paytm has a current user base of more than 12.5 crore, and is on a mission to bring about 50 crore Indians to the mainstream economy using mobile payment, commerce and soon-to-be launched payment banking services. Through the hiring, the company also aims at expanding outside India
Patil has served for over five years and held the position of head of wholesale business at Alibaba Holdings group (the Chinese online e-Commerce giant alibaba.com). As a major accomplishment Patil has incepted, led and launched B2B Trade-Trust products across 50 countries in Asia, Europe and America and was instrumental for developing new India plans for Alibaba.com’s B2B business.
“It is indeed an honour to be a part of the Paytm vision and strategy, both towards national cashless economy, and the plan to take Paytm overseas. I’m thrilled to come on board at one of the fastest scaling payments and commerce platforms in the country and look forward to a mutually successful tenure at Paytm,” said Patil.
Talking about the new appointment, Paytm CEO and founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma said, “We want to offer Indian merchants a compelling commerce platform and Bhushan brings incredible experience of building cross border commerce. It will help Indian merchants to sell globally too. As Paytm continues to grow at an exponential pace, it is important for Paytm to expand its operations outside India for further development. We welcome him to be a part of Paytm’s go big, go global strategy”.
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.
