e-commerce
Shilpa Shetty partners with Homeshop 18 for new saree collection
MUMBAI: Shilpa Shetty, known for her immaculate dressing sense, has added a new feather to her cap. She has now turned into a designer and has launched her fashion brand Shilpa Shetty Kundra (SSK).
The collection has been exclusively announced in partnership with HomeShop 18 and was launched at a special event in the capital recently. Shetty also walked the ramp wearing a sari from her new collection.
Talking about the launch, she tweeted, “Excited to launch SSK sarees with India’s fav shopping channel. My first sari from the SSK line for Home shop 18 will be available from the 11 october.”
Shetty also added, “In this exclusive collaboration, I’ve enjoyed experimenting with unique styles to suit different tastes. The SSK collection has been designed keeping in mind an Indian ethos with a modern twist, light fabrics and embellishments enhancing their richness, with the biggest prerequisite being budget-friendliness.”
Sarees contribute to more than 25 per cent of the entire lifestyle range at HomeShop18 and the partnership with a film celebrity will further boost its brand presence.
“We are adding to the festive cheer with our partnership with Shilpa Shetty Kundra for SSK line of designer sarees. It offers our customers a premium collection at affordable prices,” HomeShop18 CEO Sundeep Malhotra told PTI.
Besides, the firm also aims to tap the growing interest for premium apparel from small cities like Dhanbad, Gulbarga, Gaya, Gorakhpur, etc.
The firm launched India’s first 24 hour home shopping TV channel in 2008, while it ventured into online shopping in 2011 and introduced mobile shopping in 2013.
Besides entering the fashion world, Shetty has also tried her hands in film production. She along with husband Raj Kundra co-produced the film Dhishkiyaoo in 2014.
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.
