e-commerce
Zebronics collaborates with artist Santanu Hazarika
Mumbai: Zebronics, an Indian brand in IT peripherals and audio systems with a vast catalog including lifestyle accessories, laptops and more, has collaborated with Santanu Hazarika, a multidisciplinary autodidact, a visual sorcerer and mysterious doodler. This collaboration is to introduce a capsule collection of doodle and abstract-art-covered products including audio, IT gadgets, smartwatches and more.
A self-taught artist with multidisciplinary creativity, Santanu Hazarika has ventured across the globe, curating and displaying his art, from Mumbai’s bustling streets to the remote corners of Siberia. Hazarika played a role in India’s NFT evolution with a collaborative NFT release alongside Ritviz by selling out in an astonishing 37 seconds, a testament to his enigmatic appeal. The 3-time TEDx Speaker has several awards and accolades to his name including the Government of Assam (award) for contributions to the field of art, the Red Bull Doodle Art World Champion 2014, GQ’s best-dressed, among others.
Speaking about the collaboration, Santanu Hazarika said, “I’m thrilled to be partnering with Zebronics, a brand that consistently pushes boundaries and embraces youthfulness, fun, and innovation. I believe that integrating the intricacy of doodle art aesthetics with Zebronics’ top-notch quality products will not only attract new consumers but also captivate existing ones with a range of trendy, fresh, and unconventional items. This collaboration is particularly special to me because it connects with my childhood memories of when I first got acquainted with the brand and developed a love for gadgets. Art is my passion, and by merging it with art-focused technology, we aim to transport people to an extraordinary world that I’m zealous to share.”
Commenting on the collaboration, Zebronics co – founder director Rajesh Doshi said, “We are thrilled to form a partnership with the internationally acclaimed self-taught artist and illustrator, Mr. Santanu Hazarika. I personally admire and greatly appreciate contemporary and abstract art & it felt like a natural step to merge his creative expertise with our products. The result is a captivating and unique fusion of art and technology. These designs boast intricate details within their vibrant and funky patterns, paying homage to the rapidly growing global trend of doodle art that Santanu has mastered. Beyond their finesse and meticulous attention to detail, we firmly believe that our consumers will find themselves genuinely inspired by the rejuvenating designs and aesthetics of our product range, perfectly in line with our motto to be ‘Always Ahead’.
The ‘Zebronics X Santanu’ collection, an eccentric new line, will debut on Flipkart, Amazon and shop.zebronics.com starting 13 Dec 2023. Zebronics commenced this launch with its flagship soundbar, the Zeb-Juke Bar 9400 Pro Dolby, along with a range of new gaming mousepads. Over the next six months, Zebronics can introduce products in various categories, including audio wearables, portable speakers, smartwatches, and IT & gaming products. These chosen products cater to a diverse, artistic, and fashion-forward audience of all ages. This collection seamlessly blends notable artistry with 21st-century tech, offering a fresh product lineup with inherent appeal.
The products will be available on Amazon, Flipkart, shop.zebronics.com starting 13 December 2023
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.
