Ekart, a name synonymous with e-commerce logistics in India, has played a crucial role in revolutionizing the delivery landscape in the country. Many people often wonder: Is Ekart tracking owned by Flipkart? The answer is yes. Ekart is the in-house logistics arm of Flipkart, one of India’s largest e-commerce companies. This relationship has been pivotal in Flipkart’s success story, enabling it to deliver millions of products to customers across India efficiently.
In this blog, we will explore the background of Ekart, its ownership by Flipkart, and how this partnership has contributed to shaping the logistics and e-commerce industries in India.
The Birth of Flipkart and the Need for Ekart
Flipkart, founded in 2007 by Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal (not related), started as an online bookstore and rapidly grew into a full-fledged e-commerce giant offering products ranging from electronics and apparel to groceries and home goods. As Flipkart’s business expanded, so did its need for a reliable logistics system to ensure timely deliveries to its customers across India’s vast geographical spread.
In the early days of Indian e-commerce, third-party logistics providers often fell short in terms of speed, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. Recognizing the need for a more efficient solution, Flipkart took a bold step to establish its own logistics arm, Ekart, in 2009. Ekart began as Flipkart’s in-house delivery network but has since grown to become one of the largest logistics companies in India.
The Growth of Ekart: From Flipkart’s Arm to a Logistics Giant
Ekart was launched to solve specific logistical challenges that Flipkart faced, such as last-mile deliveries, returns management, and ensuring timely shipping in rural areas. Over time, Ekart expanded its services and became a critical asset not just for Flipkart but for other businesses as well.
Initially operating exclusively for Flipkart, Ekart soon began offering its services to other e-commerce companies and third-party sellers. By doing so, Ekart diversified its customer base and revenue streams, positioning itself as a major player in India’s growing e-commerce logistics sector.
With a vast network of fulfillment centers, distribution hubs, and last-mile delivery agents, Ekart operates at a scale that allows it to handle millions of deliveries per day. This level of operational capacity has made Ekart one of the most reliable logistics providers in the country, helping Flipkart compete with Amazon India and other competitors by offering quick and efficient delivery options to its customers.
Ekart: Fully Owned by Flipkart
The question of ownership has been a common one, but to set the record straight, Ekart is fully owned by Flipkart. When Flipkart launched Ekart, it was purely as an internal logistics arm to streamline and optimize its deliveries. Over time, Flipkart’s parent company, Walmart Inc., acquired a majority stake in Flipkart in 2018, but this ownership structure did not change Ekart’s role or its ownership within the Flipkart ecosystem.
Thus, even though Flipkart itself is majority-owned by Walmart, Ekart continues to operate under the Flipkart umbrella, contributing significantly to Flipkart’s overall operational efficiency.
The Role of Ekart in Flipkart’s Success
Ekart has played a critical role in Flipkart’s journey to becoming one of India’s largest e-commerce players. Here’s how Ekart has been instrumental in Flipkart’s success:
1. Improved Delivery Timelines
Ekart’s extensive delivery network has allowed Flipkart to reduce delivery times, offering same-day or next-day delivery options in many cities across India. In a competitive e-commerce landscape, faster delivery is often a deciding factor for customers when choosing between online retailers.
2. Last-Mile Delivery Excellence
One of the most challenging aspects of logistics in India is last-mile delivery, especially in remote or rural areas. Ekart has developed a robust last-mile delivery network, ensuring that even customers in hard-to-reach locations can receive their orders. This network has given Flipkart an edge over competitors who rely on third-party logistics providers that may not have the same level of reach or efficiency.
3. Seamless Returns and Reverse Logistics
Handling returns and reverse logistics efficiently is critical in e-commerce, where customers expect hassle-free returns. Ekart’s advanced logistics systems ensure that Flipkart’s returns process is seamless, allowing customers to return products with ease. This capability has been a major factor in building trust and loyalty among Flipkart’s customer base.
4. Festive and High-Volume Sales Periods
During major sales events like Flipkart’s Big Billion Days or festive seasons like Diwali, there is a significant surge in orders. Ekart’s infrastructure is designed to handle these peaks in demand, ensuring that Flipkart can deliver orders even during high-volume periods. This scalability has allowed Flipkart to handle millions of orders within tight timeframes, boosting its overall sales.
Walmart’s Acquisition of Flipkart and Its Impact on Ekart
When Walmart acquired a 77% stake in Flipkart in 2018, the deal was one of the largest e-commerce acquisitions in history. This acquisition further strengthened Flipkart’s position in the Indian e-commerce market. Ekart, being Flipkart’s core logistics provider, benefitted from Walmart’s global logistics expertise and financial backing.
Although Ekart continues to operate primarily as Flipkart’s logistics arm, Walmart’s global supply chain network and resources have helped improve Ekart’s operational efficiency. With access to better technology, data analytics, and supply chain optimization techniques, Ekart has been able to enhance its delivery capabilities and expand its services even further.
Ekart’s Role in the Future of Indian E-Commerce
As the e-commerce industry in India continues to grow, so will the demand for efficient and scalable logistics solutions. Ekart is well-positioned to be a major player in this space, given its ownership by Flipkart, its vast delivery network, and its reputation for reliability.
With more consumers turning to online shopping, especially in the wake of the pandemic, the importance of logistics cannot be overstated. Ekart’s ability to deliver quickly and efficiently will continue to be a key driver of Flipkart’s growth, enabling the e-commerce giant to maintain its position as a market leader.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ekart is indeed owned by Flipkart and has been a critical factor in Flipkart’s success. As Flipkart’s in-house logistics arm, UPS tracking has helped the e-commerce giant streamline its delivery operations, improve customer satisfaction, and handle high volumes of orders, especially during peak sales periods. While Ekart does offer services to other businesses, its primary focus remains on serving Flipkart’s logistics needs. As Indian e-commerce grows, the partnership between Flipkart and Ekart will remain pivotal in shaping the future of the industry.
