Amazon Likely To Bring In Its Senior Executive Samir Kumar To Lead India Ops

Just over a month after Manish Tiwary stepped down as Amazon’s India head, the ecommerce major’s senior executive Samir Kumar might take up the former’s role, which would require him to relocate from Seattle to Bengaluru, The Arc reported.

Currently, Kumar manages the exports business of the company. 

Kumar joined Amazon as a systems engineer in 1999 and launched its India operations in 2013. He further served as the director of international expansion at Amazon till 2015.

Later, he became the vice president of category management segment for Amazon India.

However, after a reorganisation in 2016, Kumar shifted to Seattle. 

Inc42 has reached out to Amazon India for comments on the development. The story will be updated based on the response. 

Notably, Tiwary’s stint at Amazon is expected to end in October. Before becoming the country manager, Tiwary spent four years as VP at Amazon India, leading consumer and seller services vertical for four years. 

Before Amazon India, Tiwary served as the managing director of Unilever’s Gulf business.

The development comes amid Amazon India’s loosening grip over its market share in India. 

Currently, the company is facing fierce competition from its Indian rival Flipkart in certain categories in terms of market share, while Meesho has made a strong foothold in tier II and III cities of India. 

Amazon India is currently facing threat from the rising popularity of quick commerce in India as well. The company’s marketplace losses have widened by 33% to INR 4,854 Cr in the financial year ending March 2023. 

After Blinkit, Zepto and Swiggy Instamart, Flipkart launched Flipkart Minutes. As a counter attack, Amazon India is also thinking of foraying into space. 

In July, Amazon approached foodtech major Swiggy to pick up a stake in its quick commerce business Instamart.

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