E-commerce firm Flipkart is mulling taking on the live events market and plans to sell movie and concert tickets in India, marking its entry into a rapidly expanding space, according to reports.
Flipkart was eyening a market launch as early as May, news agency Reuters reported. With its debut in the space, Flipkart will go head-to-head with Accel-backed BookMyShow and Zomato's District to take advantage of rising disposable incomes and wider smartphone use in the world's most populous nation.
The live events and ticketing market in the country has gathered momentum in the last year, lifted up by increased consumer spending into entertainment, as demand for large-scale concerts, international tours and sporting spectacles grows.
The entertainment space, driven by a rise in concert culture and India's profitable ticket calendar, now attracts fans from across major cities.
Additionally, Flipkart is also preparing to begin pilot testing food delivery from May as well, although timelines could change as plans evolve, the report underscores. However, there has been no confirmation on the same from Flipkart.
Notably, the Walmart-owned firm has been laying the foundation for an initial public offering in India, including shifting its holding company back to the country, rejiging senior management and strengthening business units such as fashion arm Myntra.
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On India's online ticketing and food delivery leaders have expanded on the back of heavy spending and steep discounts. Flipkart's plans would take it into cut-throat competitive, low-margin sectors dominated by entrenched rivals.
Currently, Eternal-owned Zomato and Swiggy dominate the food delivery space in the country, following years of investor-funded expansion. As a result, smaller rivals have squeezed out and profitability still elusive despite strong urban demand.
Founded in 2007 as an online bookseller, Flipkart competes with Amazon in India's growing e-commerce market. It was valued at about $37 billion in 2024, when Alphabet's Google bought a $350 million stake. Six years ago, Walmart acquired it for $16 billion.
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