Is Flipkart a subsidiary of Walmart?

Flipkart is a majority-owned subsidiary of Walmart Inc. Walmart acquired approximately 77% of Flipkart in 2018 for $16 billion and has since increased its stake to roughly 80%. The remaining equity is held by original founders, early investors, and employee stock pools. Flipkart operates independently within Walmart's international segment.

Is Flipkart publicly traded?

Flipkart is not publicly traded as a separate entity. Parent company Walmart Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker WMT. Walmart has been preparing Flipkart for an IPO, including shifting its domicile from Singapore to India in 2024, but no IPO date has been confirmed as of 2025.

When was Flipkart founded?

Flipkart was founded in October 2007 by Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal in Bangalore, India. The two founders were former Amazon engineers who started the company as an online bookstore with approximately $8,000 in initial capital. Walmart acquired the company in May 2018 for $16 billion.

Who founded Flipkart?

Flipkart was founded by Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal, two former Amazon engineers who are not related despite sharing a surname. They started the company as an online bookstore and pioneered cash-on-delivery payment in Indian e-commerce. Both founders have since exited the company, with Sachin Bansal leaving in 2018 and Binny Bansal stepping down as CEO the same year.

What is Flipkart's market position?

Flipkart holds an estimated 38% to 40% share of India's e-commerce GMV, making it the largest platform in India by market share. The platform competes directly with Amazon India, which holds approximately 22% to 26%. Flipkart's strongest categories are electronics, fashion (through Myntra), and large appliances. The platform serves over 500 million registered users.

Has Flipkart changed ownership?

Flipkart has had one major ownership change. The company was independently operated from its founding in 2007 until Walmart acquired a 77% stake in May 2018 for $16 billion. Walmart has since increased its ownership to approximately 80%. PhonePe, Flipkart's digital payments subsidiary, was spun off as a separate entity in 2022, with Walmart retaining majority ownership of both companies.

Is Flipkart available internationally?

Flipkart operates exclusively in India. The platform does not serve international markets. Its parent company Walmart operates in 19 countries, but Flipkart's logistics network, seller base, and product catalog are all India-specific. Indian consumers can only purchase from Flipkart within India.

Retail & E-commerce

Who Owns Flipkart?

Flipkart is majority-owned by Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT), which acquired approximately 77% of the company in 2018 for $16 billion and has since increased its stake to roughly 80%. Flipkart was founded in 2007 by Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal in Bangalore, India. It operates as a subsidiary of Walmart, competing with Amazon India in the Indian e-commerce market. Walmart has been preparing Flipkart for an IPO, though timing remains unconfirmed as of 2025.

Parent Company

Walmart Inc.

Acquired

2018

Status

Publicly Traded

Headquarters

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Flipkart Timeline

1962

Walmart Inc.

Parent company established in Bentonville, Arkansas, USA

Company Founded

2007

Flipkart

Founded by Sachin Bansal, Binny Bansal

Founded

2018

Acquired by Walmart Inc.

Walmart Inc. acquired Flipkart

Acquired

budgetmass marketAsia PacificOfficial Website

Who Owns Flipkart?

Parent Company: Walmart Inc.
Ownership Type: Subsidiary
Acquisition Year: 2018
Company Type: Publicly Traded
Stock Ticker: NYSE: WMT

Brand	Parent Company	Ownership Type
Flipkart	Walmart Inc.	Subsidiary

History of Flipkart

Founded: 2007
Founders: Sachin Bansal, Binny Bansal
Acquired by Walmart Inc.: 2018

Flipkart was founded in October 2007 by Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal, both former Amazon engineers, in Bangalore, India. The two are not related despite sharing a surname. They started the company with an initial investment of approximately 400,000 rupees (about $8,000 at the time) and began by selling books online. The first book they shipped was Leaving Microsoft to Change the World, purchased by a customer in Hyderabad.

The founders chose books because the category had standardized pricing, low return rates, and a large catalog that was difficult for physical stores to stock comprehensively. India's internet user base was growing rapidly, but online payments were rare. Credit card penetration was below 3% in 2007. Flipkart addressed this by pioneering cash-on-delivery (COD) as a payment method for e-commerce in India. COD became the dominant payment method for Indian e-commerce for the next decade and was a critical factor in Flipkart's early growth.

By 2010, Flipkart had expanded beyond books into electronics, music, and movies. The company raised its first major funding round in 2011, receiving $150 million from investors including Tiger Global and Accel Partners. This capital funded the buildout of Flipkart's logistics network, called eKart, which handled delivery across India. The company also launched its own payment gateway, PayZippy, in 2013.

Between 2012 and 2014, Flipkart acquired several companies to expand its catalog. It bought Myntra, a fashion e-commerce platform, for approximately $330 million in 2014. It acquired Jabong, another fashion retailer, in 2016 for $70 million, merging it with Myntra. These acquisitions gave Flipkart dominant market share in online fashion retail in India.

In 2015, Flipkart launched its Big Billion Days sale, a multi-day discount event modeled on Singles' Day in China and Black Friday in the United States. The event became an annual tradition and consistently generates the highest sales volume of the year for the platform.

Flipkart also developed PhonePe, a digital payments platform built on India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which launched in 2016. PhonePe grew rapidly and became one of India's largest digital payment apps. In 2022, Walmart and Flipkart spun off PhonePe as a separate entity, with Walmart retaining majority ownership of both companies. PhonePe is no longer a Flipkart subsidiary.

In May 2018, Walmart acquired approximately 77% of Flipkart for $16 billion, valuing the company at approximately $21 billion. The deal was the largest e-commerce acquisition in the world at the time. Amazon, which had already invested $5 billion in its India operations, was reportedly outbid. Following the acquisition, both founders gradually exited the company. Sachin Bansal left in 2018, and Binny Bansal stepped down as CEO in 2018 following an allegation of personal misconduct, though he denied the allegation.

Kalyan Krishnamurthy, a former Flipkart executive who had been brought back by Walmart, became CEO. Under Krishnamurthy, Flipkart focused on profitability and reducing losses. The company expanded into grocery delivery through Flipkart Supermart (later rebranded Flipkart Quick) and launched Flipkart Wholesale, a B2B marketplace for kirana stores and small businesses.

In 2023, Flipkart raised $700 million in internal funding at a $35 billion valuation, with Walmart and its affiliates participating. In 2024, the company shifted its registered domicile from Singapore to India, a step widely interpreted as preparation for an IPO on Indian stock exchanges. As of 2025, no IPO date has been announced, and market conditions have led to delays.

About Walmart Inc.

What does Walmart own?
Walmart Inc. owns Walmart Supercenters, discount stores, and Neighborhood Markets in the US; Sam's Club warehouse clubs; approximately an 81% stake in Flipkart (India's leading e-commerce platform); Walmart Mexico (Walmex), the largest retailer in Mexico; Walmart Canada; and operations in Central America, Chile, China, and other countries. Private-label brands include Great Value, Equate, Onn., Mainstays, and Bettergoods. Walmart also owns Walmart Connect, its advertising network, and operates Walmart+, a paid membership service.

Is Walmart publicly traded?
Yes. Walmart Inc. has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker WMT since October 1970. Despite being a public company, the Walton family retains effective control through approximately 46% of shares held through Walton Enterprises LLC and other family entities. The remaining shares are held by institutional investors including Vanguard and BlackRock, and by public shareholders.

Who founded Walmart?
Sam Walton founded Walmart, opening the first store in Rogers, Arkansas on July 2, 1962. Walton had previously operated Ben Franklin franchise stores in Arkansas, where he developed the low-cost, high-volume retail philosophy that became Walmart's foundation. He died on April 5, 1992, at age 74. His family continues to hold the controlling stake in the company.

Where is Walmart headquartered?
Walmart is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, USA, where Sam Walton established the company's roots in the 1950s. The company's global headquarters, principal executive offices, and main distribution and technology infrastructure are concentrated in northwest Arkansas. Walmart operates in more than 20 countries, with its largest store concentration in the United States.

How many brands does Walmart own?
Walmart operates approximately 20 private-label and exclusive consumer brands, including Great Value (grocery), Equate (health and beauty), Onn. (electronics), Mainstays (home), and Bettergoods (premium food, launched 2024). These brands represent a smaller portion of Walmart's total merchandise revenue than at some competitors; most of what Walmart sells is national branded products from manufacturers.

Who owns Walmart?
Walmart Inc. is a public company with shares traded on the NYSE. The largest shareholder group is the Walton family, which collectively holds approximately 46% of outstanding shares through Walton Enterprises LLC and related entities. The Walton family is consistently ranked among the wealthiest families in the world as a result of this stake, with a combined net worth estimated in excess of $200 billion. Institutional investors including Vanguard, BlackRock, and State Street collectively hold a significant portion of the remaining shares.

Is Sam's Club owned by Walmart?
Yes. Sam's Club is a wholly-owned division of Walmart Inc. It operates as a separate business segment within Walmart's financial reporting but is not a publicly traded entity on its own. Sam's Club was founded by Sam Walton in 1983, named in his honor, and operates approximately 600 warehouse club locations in the United States.

Founded: 1962
Headquarters: Bentonville, Arkansas, USA
Company Type: Publicly Traded
Stock: NYSE: WMT
Revenue: approximately $681 billion (FY2025, ended January 31, 2025)
Employees: ~2.1 million

Visit Walmart Inc. website

View full company profile for Walmart Inc.

Where Is Flipkart Made / Based?

Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Flipkart Categories & Tags

E Commerce Retail Online Shopping India Walmart Digital Marketplace

Flipkart Sustainability & Ethics

Flipkart does not hold independently verified sustainability certifications such as B Corp status or carbon-neutral certification. The company has made public commitments regarding environmental impact, though these are self-reported and not independently certified.

In 2022, Flipkart Group announced a commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040. This commitment covers Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions and is aligned with the Science-based Targets initiative (SBTi). However, Flipkart has not published independently verified progress reports against this target as of 2025.

Flipkart has implemented electric vehicle (EV) delivery in several Indian cities, including Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai. The company stated in 2024 that it had deployed over 10,000 EVs in its delivery fleet. This figure has not been independently verified by a third party.

The company has also introduced packaging reduction initiatives, including right-sized packaging and reduced single-use plastic in fulfillment centers. These efforts are reported through Walmart's corporate ESG disclosures rather than through brand-specific sustainability reports.

No independently verified cruelty-free, vegan, or organic certifications apply to Flipkart, as these designations are not relevant to an e-commerce platform. The platform does sell products from brands that hold such certifications, but Flipkart itself does not certify its marketplace sellers.

Awards & Recognition

Flipkart and its founders have received several independently verified recognitions:

Time 100 Most Influential People (2016): Founders Sachin and Binny Bansal were named to Time magazine's annual list, recognizing their impact on e-commerce in emerging markets.
Forbes India Rich List (2015): Both founders debuted at position 86 with a net worth of $1.3 billion each.
Economic Times Entrepreneur of the Year (2012-13): Sachin Bansal received this award from The Economic Times, a major Indian business newspaper.
Fairwork India Ratings (2021): Flipkart ranked first among 11 evaluated gig economy platforms on a 10-point system covering fair pay, working conditions, and worker representation.

These awards are issued by independent organizations and are not self-reported by the brand.

Flipkart Recalls & Controversies

Delivery Personnel Safety Incident (2014): On September 13, 2014, a Flipkart delivery person allegedly molested a housemaid in Hyderabad. The employer sued Flipkart, raising concerns about background check protocols for delivery personnel. Flipkart reviewed its verification processes following the incident.

Predatory Pricing Allegations (2014): Competitors including Future Group filed complaints with India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry, alleging that Flipkart's Big Billion Days discounts constituted predatory pricing. The ministry stated it would investigate. The case highlighted tensions between online discounting and traditional retail in India. No formal penalty was imposed.

Net Neutrality Controversy (2015): Flipkart was a launch partner in Airtel Zero, a zero-rating program that critics argued violated net neutrality principles. Following public backlash from digital rights advocates, Flipkart withdrew from the program. The company stated it remained committed to net neutrality.

eKart Delivery Executive Strike (2015): Approximately 400 delivery executives working with eKart, Flipkart's logistics arm, went on strike to protest working conditions. Complaints included seven-day workweeks, lack of clean facilities, and inadequate medical assistance for riders involved in accidents. Flipkart addressed some concerns by improving facility conditions and reviewing compensation structures.

Delivery Executive Murder (2016): Delivery executive Nanjunda Swamy was allegedly murdered by a customer who could not pay for a product. Flipkart launched "Project Nanjunda" in response, including an SOS button in its mobile app for field executives. The initiative was named after the deceased employee.

Foreign Investment Regulation Scrutiny (2018-present): Following Walmart's acquisition, Flipkart has faced ongoing scrutiny from India's Competition Commission and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade regarding compliance with foreign direct investment (FDI) rules for e-commerce. Indian regulations prohibit foreign-owned e-commerce platforms from holding inventory or offering exclusive deals. The CCI cleared the Walmart-Flipkart deal in 2019 but continues to monitor the platform's compliance with FDI regulations.

Flipkart Ownership: Pros & Cons

Advantages

+Access to Walmart's capital and global supply chain expertise
+Walmart's technology infrastructure and data analytics capabilities
+Deep logistics network built over 18 years in India (eKart)
+Strong brand recognition in southern and eastern India
+Myntra subsidiary provides dominant position in online fashion retail

Considerations

-Indian e-commerce regulations restrict foreign-owned platforms from holding inventory, limiting Flipkart's business model to marketplace operations
-Amazon India continues to invest aggressively in the Indian market
-IPO delays create uncertainty for employees with stock options
-Regulatory scrutiny over foreign investment compliance and data localization requirements
-Walmart's corporate priorities may shift capital away from Flipkart if international segment underperforms

Frequently Asked Questions About Flipkart

Sources & Further Reading

Competitors to Flipkart

These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.

Brand	Parent Company	Country	Founded	Market Position	Primary Market	Gender Target
AliExpress	Alibaba	China	2010	Mass market	Global	Unisex
Amazon Fresh	Amazon	USA	2007	Mass market	United states	All Genders
Taobao	Alibaba	China	2003	Market leader	China	Unisex
Walmart+Sister Brand	Walmart	USA	2020	Mass market	United states	All Genders