Ekart Targets Larger Share of Third-Party Logistics Work Within Flipkart Group

Ekart, the supply-chain unit of Indian e-commerce group Flipkart, is working to expand its third-party logistics business so that it accounts for 15 to 20 percent of total operations, a senior company executive has told CNBC TV18. The figure signals a deliberate pivot away from dependence on in-house shipments for the Flipkart marketplace and toward serving external merchants and brands.

Building a Merchant-Focused Network

Ekart has spent more than a decade building parcel delivery, warehousing and reverse-logistics capabilities that were originally designed to support Flipkart's online shoppers. According to the executive, the company is now packaging those capabilities for external customers, including small businesses and direct-to-consumer brands that need pan-India reach without owning their own fleets.

By offering fulfillment, line-haul transportation and last-mile delivery under one roof, Ekart is positioning itself against independent logistics aggregators that compete for the same merchant wallet. The strategy mirrors a broader move among large e-commerce operators in India, where outsourced fulfillment demand has been climbing as sellers look for cheaper, faster shipping options.

Specialized Capabilities in Focus

The push into third-party work also gives Ekart room to monetize investments in category-specific infrastructure, such as handling for large appliances, furniture and high-value electronics. Warehousing tailored to fragile or oversized goods is increasingly seen as a differentiator, particularly for sellers moving into segments like solar equipment, where careful carrier selection can affect product integrity.

What the Target Means

Hitting the upper end of the 15 to 20 percent range would mark a meaningful rebalancing for a business whose revenue has historically been tied to Flipkart's order volumes. Key priorities flagged by the executive include:

• Onboarding external merchants across tier-1 and tier-2 cities.
• Expanding warehousing and sortation capacity beyond Flipkart-linked fulfilment centres.
• Cross-selling fulfilment services alongside existing parcel delivery contracts.

The shift comes as Indian e-commerce operators continue to consolidate supply-chain functions, a trend also visible in moves such as centralized fulfillment rollouts by retail and pharmacy chains in other markets seeking similar scale efficiencies.