e-commerce
Simplification of wallets key to digital payment’s success
MUMBAI: In a world fast moving towards all things digital, simplification of wallets will be the key to digital payment’s success.
Addressing the session ‘Paving the way for Digital Money in India’ at IAMAI’s Digital Money 2015 Summit, Nykaa.com chief strategy officer Nihir Parikh said, “To go truly digital, there needs to be a process of paying through wallet that is less cumbersome. It should be a one click check-out like cash-on-delivery option. The time has arrived for integrated payment gateway, unless this is in place, it will be difficult to evolved digital payments.”
Panelists at the session concurred that while women shoppers shopping online has increased phenomenally, 80 per cent of them still use cash –on-delivery as mode of payment. The last couple of years have seen a rise in internet banking, use of debit card for online transactions and usage of mobile wallets.
The panelists were of the view that unless there is consolidation in the wallets segment, user base will not grow. Since by 2018, almost 50 per cent of internet users will be from rural India, the digital payment platform needs to embrace simpler and consumer friendly forms of transaction.
A holistic approach towards payments ecosystem is inadvertent and digital platforms have provided a great opportunity for financial inclusion, in every aspect.
The panel included Amazon India payments head of strategy and products Srikanth Rajagopalan, Yepme CEO Vivek Gaur; PayU Money business head Virender Gupta; Nykaa.com chief strategy officer Nihir Parikh, E-Billing Solutions director Bhavin Mody and ItzCash Card general manager & business head Bhavik Vasa. The session was moderated by Billdesk co-founder and director Srinivasu M.N.
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.
