e-commerce
Zepto celebrates its third anniversary with customer giveaways
Mumbai: Zepto recently celebrated its third anniversary with a series of exciting and heartfelt celebrations, reflecting the company’s commitment to its customers, partners, and employees.
Launch of brand film: ‘Mujhe Kya Milega’
Zepto kicked off the celebrations last Monday with the launch of its brand film titled ‘Mujhe Kya Milega’ (What’s in it for me), a phrase often asked by Indians. The film, a fun and relatable concept, revolves around a man who repeatedly asks this question in various situations. The twist comes when he asks a Zepto delivery partner the same question and is delighted to discover that Zepto is offering a free return gift to its customers on its birthday. Conceptualised in-house, the campaign captures Zepto’s spirit of giving back to its customers.
Celebrating with first customers and longest serving delivery partners
On Friday, Zepto co-founders Aadit Palicha (CEO) and Kaivalya Vohra hosted a birthday celebration at the company’s Mumbai and Bangalore offices. They invited the first customers and longest-serving delivery partners for a special meet and greet, recognising the relationships that have grown with Zepto over the past three years. This event underscored the significance of these enduring relationships and the contributions of these early supporters and dedicated partners in Zepto’s journey.
Customer giveaways and social media buzz
As part of the ‘Mujhe Kya Milega’ celebration, Zepto delivered over eight lakh return gifts to customers who placed orders on 13-14 July. This gesture was met with enthusiasm and joy from customers. To add to the festivities, Third Wave Coffee joined the celebration by offering a special Zepto birthday deal for patrons, perfectly aligning with our third anniversary. Additionally, over 100 plus brands, including Coca-Cola India, Kit Kat India, Nivea India, amongst many others joined in the celebration by taking to their social media platforms to wish Zepto a happy birthday, creating a buzz and showcasing their support.
Engaging customers with music and contests
Zepto also created a special ‘party playlist’ on Spotify, which garnered over 2,500 saves on the music app and Zepto’s in-app story asking patrons to guess ‘what’s in the box?’ received over 40,000 responses. To further engage customers, Ariel launched a contest on the Zepto app offering a chance to win an iPhone 15. The lucky winners of the contest were Akash Sethiya, Mumbai; Jisha Pradeesh Nair, Mumbai and Rohit Kumar, Bangalore.
Leadership and employee participation
In a heartfelt gesture, over 200 Zepto employees, including the leadership team, hit the roads to deliver orders themselves on the company’s birthday. This initiative was a unique way for the Zepto team to connect with customers directly and thank them for their continued support.
Zepto’s third birthday celebrations were not just about marking a milestone but about expressing gratitude to everyone who has been part of its journey. From innovative giveaways to personal interactions, Zepto continues to redefine customer experience and strengthen its community.
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.
