- Flipkart is set to enter India’s food delivery market with the launch of its food delivery service in Bengaluru, which is expected to go live as early as August 15.
- To attract restaurant partners, Flipkart is currently offering a commission rate of around 10%, considerably lower than the approximately 16 to 30% typically charged by existing food delivery platforms.
- The service will first be launched in Bengaluru before rolling out to other cities in phases.
- Flipkart has reportedly begun onboarding restaurants across Bengaluru and is carrying out operational readiness exercises ahead of the planned rollout.
- Unlike typical food delivery marketplaces, Flipkart is building its platform on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).
- This government-backed network will allow businesses to operate on an open digital platform instead of a closed marketplace.
- Flipkart's entry comes at a time when competition in food delivery is heating up.
Flipkart is set to enter the competitive food delivery market in India with a launch in Bengaluru on August 15. The Walmart-owned company aims to differentiate itself by offering a commission rate of around 10%, significantly lower than the 16-30% typically charged by competitors like Zomato and Swiggy.1234
The service will be available through both its main app and a dedicated food delivery app, leveraging the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to avoid the need for a separate delivery network. This government-backed initiative allows businesses to operate on an open digital platform, providing a fresh alternative for restaurants and customers alike.56
Flipkart has already begun onboarding restaurant partners in Bengaluru and is conducting operational readiness exercises ahead of the launch. CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy has indicated that the rollout will be phased, starting with a limited user base to gather feedback before expanding further. This strategy mirrors the approach taken with Flipkart Minutes, aiming to refine the service based on initial consumer experiences.
As competition intensifies, with players like Rapido also entering the market, Flipkart's entry is expected to put pressure on pricing and commission structures across the food delivery landscape.7
The launch follows Flipkart CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy’s recent confirmation that Flipkart would enter the food delivery space through a phased rollout. He had stated that the company would first test the service with a limited set of consumers, take customer feedback and improve the product before expanding, similar to the strategy adopted for Flipkart Minutes.
“Flipkart is building the service on the government-backed ONDC and has begun onboarding restaurants at a roughly 10% commission rate, well below the 16–30% existing platforms charge. Last month, Flipkart Group CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy outlined a phased rollout, starting with limited users and expanding after feedback, much like Flipkart Minutes.”
