Is Flipkart set to shake up food delivery? Bengaluru chosen for big pilot launch

Walmart-owned Flipkart plans a trial entry into India’s online food delivery market, with Bengaluru expected to host the pilot project between May and June.

E-commerce giant Flipkart, owned by Walmart, is preparing to make a strategic entry into India’s online food delivery sector, with Bengaluru likely to be the launch city for its pilot project around May–June. The move marks a renewed push by the company after earlier plans to enter the segment were put on hold.

According to sources, Flipkart is evaluating two possible operational models. The company may either introduce a dedicated standalone food delivery application or run the service through a buyer-side platform on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). Internal discussions have gained fresh momentum in recent weeks, reviving the long-pending proposal.

Bengaluru has been selected as the testing ground for the initiative, considering its strong digital adoption, dense urban population, and high food delivery demand. Based on the performance of the pilot, Flipkart is expected to roll out the service in phases across other major cities.

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The development signals Flipkart’s intent to capture a share of India’s rapidly expanding $9 billion food delivery market, currently dominated by Zomato and Swiggy, which together control a large portion of urban demand.

Industry analysts believe the entry of a major player like Flipkart could intensify competition, leading to shifts in pricing models, delivery logistics, merchant onboarding, and customer engagement strategies. With strong supply chain capabilities and a vast consumer base, Flipkart’s presence could significantly alter the market dynamics.

Experts also highlight that India’s food delivery industry is projected to grow steadily until FY30, driven by rising urbanisation, deeper smartphone penetration, digital payments adoption, and changing lifestyle patterns. This growth potential has made the segment increasingly attractive for large technology and e-commerce firms.