NEW DELHI: Walmart-owned Flipkart has announced a $50 million employee stock buyback plan that will benefit approximately 7,000–7,500 employees. The move comes as the ecommerce major prepares for a potential IPO filing next year.The buyback will allow employees to liquidate up to 5% of the stock options vested between July 6, 2022, and July 5, 2025. The payout will be at $174.32 per option and is expected to be made in August 2025, Flipkart Group CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy told employees, according to ET.“Our core businesses are performing well, and quick commerce continues to scale at an unprecedented pace.” Krishnamurthy wrote to employees.All active employees as of July 5, 2025, will be eligible for the buyback, which is part of Flipkart’s broader strategy to reward and retain talent. Krishnamurthy said that if the company meets key targets committed to the board by the end of the year, it may offer another 5% ESOP buyback in early 2026.“The Board has approved a discretionary ESOP liquidity opportunity (under the Flipkart Stock Option Plan 2012) wherein, all active employees as on July 5, 2025 will have the opportunity to liquidate up to 5% of their outstanding options vested in the last three preceding years, i.e. between July 6, 2022 to July 5, 2025. The liquidation of the options will be at a price of $174.32 per option, and the payment will be made in August 2025,” it said.“Looking ahead, we remain committed to acknowledging your contributions and if we achieve key goals committed to the Board by the end of the year, we will unlock another 5% ESOP Liquidity event early next year. This isn’t just about numbers, it’s about pushing ourselves to go the extra mile, to innovate boldly and to deliver exceptional value to our customers. Let’s rally together, harness our collective energy and make this happen,” it added.Flipkart, currently valued at $35 billion, employs around 22,000 people. This latest buyback follows a $700 million ESOP repurchase in 2023, the largest by any Indian internet company to date. Including past buybacks, Flipkart has returned around $1.5 billion to employees through ESOP programs in recent years.The announcement also comes just ahead of Flipkart’s flagship Big Billion Days sale, scheduled for October, which is a key revenue driver for the platform.The company is also doubling down on its quick commerce vertical, Flipkart Minutes, which is expected to operate 800 dark stores by the end of 2025.Krishnamurthy highlighted that the company’s growth trajectory and commitment to innovation, stating, “this is our way of saying thank you for your unwavering commitment.”“Let’s always remember that in an industry as dynamic and competitive as ours, past successes are a foundation for future achievements. The opportunities in our country are immense. We must seize them, with agility and a shared commitment to success, forging meaningful growth for all,” Krishnamurthy added.
