Flipkart Introduces ‘Flipkart Xtra’ To Onboard Part-Time Gig Workers

Walmart-owned Flipkart has launched a new marketplace ‘Flipkart Xtra’ to onboard part-time delivery partners by allowing flexible earning opportunities to individuals, service agencies and technicians. 

This new platform will help bolster Flipkart’s supply chain to ensure seamless and faster delivery of shipments and service to consumers across India while creating part-time opportunities for individuals, the ecommerce major said in a statement.

It said that the platform would lead to creation of 4,000 jobs in the upcoming festive season.

The development comes just a few days before its much celebrated ‘Big Billion Days’ sale as the platform plans to expand its network of delivery partners amid anticipated higher sales. This year’s Big Billion Days sale is scheduled to begin on October 7 and will be live till October 12.

The ‘Flipkart Xtra’ app allows the delivery partners to sign up from anywhere and along with the flexibility of choosing their preferred schedule to deliver shipments. This is an extension of Flipkart’s alternate delivery models that include the Flipkart Kirana program.

Hemant Badri, Senior Vice-President and Head of Supply Chain at Flipkart was of the view that the development is a new disruption in the gig economy space and will help individuals find an alternate source of income while contributing to the country’s economic recovery.

The development comes at a time when foodtech and hyperlocal delivery companies like Dunzo, Swiggy, Grofers are heavily banking on faster deliveries. It would not be a surprise if Flipkart also enters the quick commerce segment.

Last week, job marketplace for gig workers — Apna entered the unicorn club post raising a $100 Mn funding round. Another such startup – Betterplace raised $24 Mn in the same month. 

Reports from BCG suggest that the gig economy has the potential to service up to 90 Mn jobs in India’s non-farm economy alone along with transacting over $250 Bn in the volume of work, and contribute 1.25% to the country’s GDP in the long term.

The Flipkart Group includes group companies Flipkart, Myntra, Flipkart Wholesale, and Cleartrip. The group is also a majority shareholder in payment service provider PhonePe.