Flipkart Picks Supply Chain Head Hemant Badri To Lead Its Quick Commerce Foray

Amid intensifying competition in the quick commerce space, ecommerce giant Flipkart has chosen its senior vice president and group head of supply chain Hemant Badri to lead its foray into the fast-growing space.

As per Badri’s LinkedIn profile, he has been at Flipkart for a little over three years. Before that, he spent almost 11 years at Unilever, where he was vice president of worldwide planning and also held other positions. 

Prior to that, he worked with Colgate Palmolive and Kirloskar Oil Engines.

The development was first reported by MoneyControl. The report, citing sources, said that unlike incumbent players Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart and Zepto, Flipkart plans to partner with kirana stores for its quick commerce business.

However, a report by The Economic Times said that Flipkart is in the process of setting up the dark stores to launch the quick commerce business in July.

A Flipkart spokesperson confirmed to Inc42 that Badri would be leading the company’s quick commerce business. However, the spokesperson declined to comment when asked if the company would be setting up its own dark stores or it will partner with kirana stores.

Last month, it was reported that Flipkart was planning to foray into the quick commerce space by launching 10-15 minute delivery services in at least a dozen cities in the next six to eight weeks.

Flipkart was also eyeing acquiring a majority stake in quick commerce unicorn Zepto. However, the talks fell through.

The developments come at a time when the demand for quick commerce services is on the rise, especially in Tier-I cities in the country.

According to a 2023 Deloitte report, it has gained traction as a preferred channel for consumers, with a 51% purchase rate based on a sample size of 841. 

As a result, the likes of Zomato’s Blinkit, Zepto and Instamart are expanding their stock keeping units to also provide non-grocery items like apparel, electronics, among others, in 10-15 minutes to customers.

Last week, Swiggy said it was integrating Swiggy Mall, under which it sells a wide range of non-grocery items like footwear and electronics items, with Instamart to expand the latter’s offerings.

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