Flipkart, the Walmart-owned e-commerce giant, may soon expand into online food delivery in India. Reports from The Economic Times indicate that the company is planning a pilot launch in Bengaluru between May and June this year. If successful, a nationwide rollout could follow by late 2026 or early 2027.
This move would mark Flipkart’s official entry into the $9 billion online food delivery market, currently dominated by Zomato and Swiggy.
Not Its First Attempt
Flipkart has explored food delivery before. Nearly two years ago, it considered entering the sector via the government-backed Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), similar to initiatives by Ola and Paytm. However, those discussions didn’t advance beyond initial stages.
This time, the company appears to have a more structured plan. Flipkart is reportedly weighing whether to launch a standalone food delivery app or integrate food services into its existing ONDC-linked platform. Hiring for the project has already begun.
A Growing Market
India’s online food delivery market, currently valued at around $9 billion, is projected to reach nearly $25 billion by FY30, according to Jefferies. While Zomato and Swiggy dominate, the market remains dynamic with new players and alternative models emerging.
Recent trends show resilient demand despite slower overall growth. Zomato’s gross order value rose over 21% year-on-year in Q3 (Oct–Dec), while Swiggy recorded around a 20% increase in the same period.
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Leveraging Quick Commerce
Flipkart’s potential move aligns with its quick commerce ambitions. Its ‘Minutes’ service, operating over 800 dark stores, could provide logistical support for rapid food delivery, improving efficiency and fulfillment. The expansion may also strengthen Flipkart’s growth story ahead of a potential IPO.
Increasing Competition and Innovation
The sector has seen evolving business models. Rapido’s Ownly platform in Bengaluru, for instance, operates on a zero-commission model with a flat Rs 30 delivery fee, addressing long-standing concerns from restaurants over high commissions and restricted customer data.
Such alternatives highlight opportunities for new entrants with innovative approaches, even in a market dominated by major players.
A Challenging Space
Despite opportunities, India’s food delivery market is capital-intensive and operationally complex. Previous exits include Uber Eats (sold to Zomato), Ola’s various food ventures, and Amazon’s scaled-back experiments. These challenges underscore the difficulties Flipkart may face as it explores this new category.