Flipkart pips Amazon in June sales even as e-com struggles
BENGALURU: India’s largest online retailer Flipkart has consistently nudged ahead of rival Amazon India in monthly sales this year even as the e-commerce market again grew at a sluggish pace in the quarter ended June 30.
In June, Flipkart Internet Pvt. Ltd reported monthly gross sales of more than ₹2,600 crore, three people familiar with the matter said. That compares with gross sales at Amazon India (Amazon Seller Services Pvt Ltd) of more than ₹2,400 crore, two other people familiar with the company’s numbers said.
In May too, Flipkart had reported slightly higher gross sales than Amazon on the back of its Big 10 sale (which makes a reference to Flipkart turning 10), the first three people said, requesting anonymity. Including its fashion units Myntra and Jabong, Flipkart was far ahead of Amazon in the last quarter.
While both Flipkart and Amazon have been reporting strong sales growth, the online retail market in India continues to struggle.
In the June quarter, shoppers bought goods worth $15.5 billion on an annualised basis, according to RedSeer Management Consulting Pvt. Ltd.
That implies growth of just 5% from the March quarter, and an increase of 19% from the year-ago period, RedSeer data shows.
Both Flipkart and Amazon numbers indicate the companies are growing faster than the e-commerce market, implying that they are taking a large market share from rivals such as Snapdeal, which has seen sales collapse because of a funding crunch.
Amazon India did not comment on its gross sales but said the company was growing faster than the market.
Flipkart did not respond to requests for comment.