Flipkart's Ambitious IPO Plans

Flipkart, India's leading e-commerce giant currently valued at $36 billion, is gearing up for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) within the next 12-15 months. This move is set to be the largest share issue by a new-economy company, marking a significant milestone for India's burgeoning startup ecosystem, which is now ranked third globally.

Under Walmart's ownership, Flipkart has received internal clearance to shift its registration from Singapore to India, a crucial step for the IPO process. The company aims to launch its public offering either by the end of next year or within the first quarter of 2026.

A Wave of New-Age IPOs

Flipkart's IPO is expected to kick off a wave of new-age companies entering the stock market in 2025. This follows the successful market entries of various consumer internet businesses, including Zomato, Nykaa, and Swiggy, which have piqued substantial interest among retail investors in Indian startups.

The e-commerce leader has secured nearly $1 billion in funding this year, with Google contributing $350 million. Although IPO discussions began in late 2021, they were temporarily suspended due to unfavorable market conditions during 2022-23. At Flipkart, under the leadership of Group CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy, the priority remains enhancing profitability while maintaining growth rates marginally above the industry standard.

Flipkart's Market Leadership

Walmart's October quarter earnings report highlighted Flipkart's impressive performance, noting double-digit growth during its signature Big Billion Days sale, which positively impacted Walmart's global revenue. Industry analysts have calculated that Indian e-commerce achieved Rs 1 lakh crore in gross sales during the festive period this year, with Flipkart retaining its market leadership position during this crucial season.