Flipkart tests waters in food delivery, Bengaluru pilot likely mid-2026

Flipkart is preparing to explore a new growth frontier as it evaluates an entry into India’s fast-expanding online food delivery market. The e-commerce major is understood to be planning a pilot rollout in Bengaluru between May and June, marking a potential diversification beyond its core e-commerce and quick commerce businesses.

According to a report by The Economic Times, the Flipkart-owned marketplace is internally assessing multiple operating models for the category. A broader rollout could be considered by late 2026 or early 2027, depending on the performance of the pilot phase.

The Walmart-backed firm is reportedly weighing two key options—launching a standalone food delivery application or offering buyer-side services integrated with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). Sources cited in the report suggest that Flipkart has already begun hiring talent to support the initiative, though a final structure is yet to be decided.

This is not Flipkart’s first brush with the segment. Around two years ago, the company explored food delivery through ONDC, following similar early-stage experiments by players such as Ola and Paytm. However, those discussions did not translate into a formal launch.

India’s online food delivery market is currently estimated at around $9 billion and is projected to grow to nearly $25 billion by FY30, according to estimates by brokerage firm Jefferies. The category remains largely dominated by Zomato and Swiggy, which together command the majority of the market.

At the same time, newer operating models are beginning to emerge. Rapido has recently launched its Ownly platform, while several smaller players are leveraging ONDC to tap into hyperlocal and niche demand pockets.

If Flipkart proceeds with the pilot, it would signal a renewed push by the company to build presence across high-frequency consumption categories, intensifying competition in an already crowded food delivery landscape.