Walmart-owned Flipkart aims to launch its food delivery service 'Eat-in by Minutes' by the end of October 2026, marking its entry into India's competitive food delivery market dominated by Zomato and Swiggy. The move follows an expanded internal pilot and signals a strategic push leveraging lower commissions for restaurant partners and its existing ecommerce ecosystem.
- Flipkart’s food delivery pilot in Bengaluru has expanded to 8,000+ employees.
- Commission rate proposed at about 10%, lower than typical 20-25% on other platforms.
- Plans to launch publicly by October-end and expand to multiple Indian cities.
What happened
Flipkart is preparing to launch 'Eat-in by Minutes,' its food delivery service, by the end of October 2026. This announcement follows an internal pilot test conducted in Bengaluru, which involved over 8,000 employees. The company has communicated its launch plans to restaurant partners and aims to expand the service to five or six major cities in India by the end of the year.
To support this service, Flipkart is using its logistics unit Ekart to manage a dedicated fleet of delivery riders, separate from those handling its quick commerce deliveries. Furthermore, it is onboarding restaurants through both direct partnerships and the government-supported Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), positioning the service as a more affordable option for restaurant partners.
Why it matters
The Indian food delivery market is highly competitive, dominated by platforms like Zomato and Swiggy, which typically charge restaurants between 20% and 25% commissions. Flipkart’s proposed commission rate of around 10% represents a significant reduction in costs for restaurant partners, potentially disrupting the industry’s economics and appealing to price-sensitive establishments.
Beyond commissions, Flipkart’s existing ecommerce customer base and cross-selling potential could accelerate market adoption of its food service. Moreover, this launch coincides with increasing appetite for low-cost food delivery options, as new competitors introduce zero-commission or minimal-fee models, intensifying pressure on incumbents to rethink pricing and promotional expenses.
What to watch next
Observers should monitor Flipkart’s execution of the public rollout, especially its ability to scale from Bengaluru to other urban centers as planned. The company’s integration of logistics and technology, alongside ONDC collaboration, will be crucial in shaping operational efficiency and user experience.
Additionally, competition dynamics will evolve rapidly with Flipkart entering the fray. Industry players and restaurant partners will watch closely if Flipkart’s lower commission strategy can sustain profitability while attracting significant market share. Market reactions from incumbents and new entrants providing zero or low-fee delivery models will further influence the segment’s trajectory in India.