Amazon vs Flipkart: The Logistics Duel
After ecommerce, Amazon and Flipkart are now locking horns in the logistics arena too. Following Ecom Express’ acquisition in 2025, remote pincode operations shrank and traditional 3PL pricing became more expensive. This is when the two marketplaces stepped in.
The Rationale: Both ecommerce giants already own a vast logistics network, which sits underutilised outside peak festive seasons. To maximise asset utility, the two are now monetising their existing warehouses, freight trucks and last-mile delivery fleets for external clients.
The B2B Weapon: Amazon launched its Amazon Supply Chain Services in May 2026, offering warehousing and fulfilment solutions to any commercial entity, irrespective of whether they sell on the platform. Simultaneously, Flipkart’s Ekart also secured big contracts, managing end-to-end heavy deliveries for IKEA, precision automotive component transport for Ather Energy, and retail operations for direct rivals like TataCliq and Nykaa.
With this, the two ecommerce players are offering everything under one roof, while making money from the infrastructure built over the years.
The Data Moat: Beyond revenue, the bigger advantage may be information. By managing end-to-end deliveries, Amazon and Ekart stand to gain visibility into regional demand, inventory flows and even competitor pricing patterns. True leverage, however, lies in platform lock-in – as brands use more services, switching becomes harder and more expensive.
Caution Ahead: But the model may not be frictionless. Flipkart’s and Amazon’s triple role as marketplace, seller and logistics provider could raise data exposure concerns. As such, they may need to prove they can give outside clients the same reliability they promise themselves. On top of this, peak-season priorities, sector-specific compliance and pricing pressure could all complicate the push.
So, can ecommerce giants reshape India’s logistics future? Let’s find out…
From The Editor’s Desk
Nua Eyes $25 Mn
- The D2C femtech brand is in talks to raise anywhere between ₹189 Cr and ₹236 Cr in its Series C round, which will likely be led by Peak XV Partners. Existing backers Mirabilis Investment Trust and Kae Capital are also expected to join the round.
- Founded in 2017, Nua offers health and hygiene products for women, including sanitary pads, cramp comfort, foaming intimate wash and more. Catering to over 15 Lakh users, the startup has raised more than $21 Mn to date.
- The fundraise comes as the women-focused hygiene category continues to expand in India on the back of rising incomes and growing awareness. Overall, the homegrown femtech market is projected to become a $5.5 Bn opportunity by 2034.
Turtlemint’s Muted D-Street Debut
- Shares of the insurtech startup made a subdued debut on the bourses and listed at ₹134.9 each on the NSE, a discount of 11.25% to the issue price of ₹152. Meanwhile, the stock listed at ₹136.2 apiece on the BSE, a discount of 10.4%.
- Turtlemint shares eventually closed the day at ₹135.4 on the BSE, down almost 11% from the issue price of ₹152. On the NSE, the stock ended the day at ₹137.5, down 9.5% from the issue price.
- This comes more than a week after the startup closed its public issue with a 1.2X oversubscription. The IPO comprised a fresh issue of ₹660.7 Cr and an offer-for-sale component of up to 1.46 Cr shares.
Zerodha’s Investment Banking Play
- With an eye on expanding its financial services portfolio, the broking giant has applied for a Category I merchant banking licence from SEBI to enter the investment banking segment. The request is currently under review.
- With a Category I merchant licence, the unicorn’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Zerodha Corporate Advisors Pvt Ltd, will be able to manage IPOs, advise on fundraising and mergers and acquisitions, and much more.
- The push comes as the Nithin Kamath-led startup is looking to diversify its revenue streams following SEBI’s clampdown on F&Os, the slowdown in Indian equities markets, rising competition and falling profits.
IPO-Bound Incuspaze Bags ₹150 Cr
- Ahead of its FY29 listing, the managed workspace provider has raised about $15.9 Mn in a fresh round led by Bharat Value Fund to bankroll strategic acquisitions, expand footprint across key markets and stregthen its tech stack.
- The fundraise comes as the startup has been on an acquisition spree for the past year. While it acquired iKeva last month, it also bought Pune-based coworking startup TRIOS and B2B SaaS platform VSKOUT in separate deals last year.
- Founded in 2016, Incuspaze currently operates more than 80 centres across 18 cities, with a portfolio spanning 4 Mn sq ft. The startup offers managed offices, coworking spaces, and design-and-build services. It has raised $25 Mn to date.
PayU India’ FY26 Show
- As per owner Prosus, the fintech platform’s revenue grew 12.5% YoY to about $781 Mn in FY26. While the payments business contributed $577 Mn to the top line, up 10% YoY, the credit vertical’s revenue grew 19% YoY to $204 Mn.
- Meanwhile, the Dutch investor also claimed that the platform turned adjusted EBITDA positive in H2 FY26, with an adjusted EBITDA profit of $19 Mn as against an adjusted EBITDA loss of $6 Mn in H2 FY25.
- As per Prosus, PayU India accounts for around 25% of the country’s online payment revenues, with the platform’s credit arm boasting $682 Mn in assets under management.
Inc42 Markets
Inc42 Startup Spotlight
Can Yotuh Electrify India’s Cold-Chain Logistics?
Essential for transporting food and medicines, India’s cold-chain network still relies heavily on diesel cooling systems that are expensive to run, environmentally damaging and often unreliable. Yotuh Energy is tackling this problem with its electric refrigeration systems.
The Cool Factor: Founded in 2022, Yotuh Energy builds zero-emission refrigeration units for cold-chain vehicles. Its battery-powered systems run independently of the engine, replacing diesel-based cooling with a cleaner and more efficient alternative.
Designed For Transit: The startup’s core innovation is its proprietary thermal storage technology, which helps retain cooling for longer periods and maintain stable temperatures even during multi-stop routes. This matters in real-world logistics, where repeated door openings and delivery delays can quickly compromise sensitive cargo.
The startup positions its offering as a solution that supports both cost savings and sustainability, two pressures increasingly shaping cold-chain operations in India.
What’s On The Horizon? Going forward, the startup now plans to scale production of its refrigeration units and deepen partnerships with commercial vehicle manufacturers. With the homegrown cold chain logistics market projected to become a $33 Bn opportunity by 2031, can Yotuh electrify India’s temperature-sensitive supply chains?
Infographic Of The Day
Having founded some of India’s most iconic startups and backing 309 ventures, Kunal Shah is now all set to lead WhatsApp globally. Here is the journey of the country’s most unconventional founder…
The post Ecommerce’s Logistics Game, Nua Eyes $25 Mn & More appeared first on Inc42 Media.
https://ift.tt/3hncJoD
0 Comments