e-commerce
Snapdeal enters into strategic tie-up with Hungama
MUMBAI: Hungama.com has entered into a strategic partnership with Snapdeal.com to offer digital entertainment content to its shoppers. The tie-up between the brands will begin with an offer wherein shoppers on Snapdeal’s mobile app will get access to Hungama’s premium PRO service free for a period of nine weeks.
Hungama PRO, which is a paid premium subscription service, offers users HD quality music videos with the lyrics of songs, and can be accessed offline without any internet charges. It is also an ad-free app, which further makes for a hassle-free experience. The mobile app is available for download from the Google Play Store and the iOS App Store. Post the initial nine weeks, the service will later be made available to the users at a price of Rs 120 per month.
Both have been focusing on expanding their leadership position by tapping into developing tier II markets. The recent update that brought transliteration features to Hungama’s android app, made it one of the first India apps to be available in five languages viz. English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Punjabi – an ideal service for Snapdeal’s user base that is spread across 5000 plus cities and towns in India.
Snapdeal and Hungama are also working on creating more offerings for their users, which will see entertainment options bundled with shopping purchases and are likely to be rolled-out in stages over the next one year. According to a recent IAMAI report, that pegged India’s Internet population at 300 million by December 2014, entertainment and shopping were among the highest drivers of internet usage on mobile phones – a market that the companies aim to tap into jointly.
Speaking on partnering with Snapdeal, Hungama.com CEO Siddhartha Roy said, “With music and shopping being among the primary drivers of mobile internet consumption, our tie-up aims to offer users an enhanced value proposition. 2015 is likely to be a vital year for brands to out to middle Bharat, and tie-ups like this will help our brands to attract a larger share of the consumer’s mind space.”
“We at Snapdeal are focusing hugely on making sure our customers get a great shopping experience on our app. The partnership with Hungama brings shopping and music together, both are a way of life for Indian consumers. We want to encourage the growing love of apps by providing customers with what they love most – high quality uninterrupted music and awesome deals on the go,” commented Snapdeal marketing SVP Sandeep Komaravelly.
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.
