Amazon India will now venture into the food retail sector after receiving the government’s approval to invest $ 500 million in this sector. Amazon, as per the proposal, will be able to open a wholly owned subsidiary in India to stock food products and sell them online.
The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) gave the consent to the ecommerce giant’s proposal, which had been pending before the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB). The FIPB was abolished in May to simplify procedures to seek clearance on FDI proposals.
The grocery market accounts for around 48% of India’s total retail consumption and is valued at $ 310 billion annually. Presently, Groffers and BigBasket are the key players in the online grocery space. All three companies have submitted proposals worth $ 695 million to the Indian Government for retail of food products.
At present, the government allows 100% foreign direct investment in the food processing sector. This regulation allows multinationals to set up wholly owned online and brick and mortar subsidiaries. This new Amazon business unit will sell either private or third party labels produced, processed or manufactured in the country.
In Seattle, USA, Amazon is set to launch their first brick and mortar grocery storeAmazon Go which will neither have checkout lines nor cashiers. In this one of a kind grocery store, users will just have to scan their Amazon app when entering the store and shop as the company’s proprietary ‘Just Walk Out’ technology tracks users’ virtual carts. The payments will be automatically facilitated through the customer’s Amazon.com accounts.
It is not clear whether the Indian grocery store will also be developed along the same lines or will hold a different concept. The ecommerce giant has already invested close to $ 2 billion in India, since it started its operations in June 2013. They plan to further invest another $ 3 billion to compete against rival ecommerce giant Flipkart.
PhonePe’s PINCODE app has launched a 24×7 online medicine delivery service in Bangalore, Mumbai, and Pune, promising delivery of both prescription and over-the-counter medicines within 10 minutes from nearby local medical shops. Unlike conventional e-pharmacies that use dark stores, PINCODE partners exclusively with neighborhood pharmacies, enabling faster deliveries and supporting local businesses in the digital economy.
Customers without prescriptions can select a “no prescription” option when ordering; a qualified doctor then provides a free teleconsultation and issues a digital prescription compliant with telemedicine guidelines, ensuring seamless access to medicines. The app offers competitive pricing by passing discounts from local pharmacies directly to customers and charges no delivery fees.
PINCODE’s hyperlocal model enhances healthcare accessibility and convenience while empowering local pharmacies, helping them remain integral to their communities and stimulating local economic growth. Launched in 2023, the app focuses on quick commerce with an emphasis on speed, reliability, and supporting local sellers.
In summary, PhonePe’s PINCODE app is transforming medicine delivery in major Indian cities by combining ultra-fast 10-minute delivery, free doctor consultations, and a hyperlocal sourcing model that benefits both consumers and neighborhood pharmacies.
Cashfree Payments has appointed Piyush Anchliya as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective April 15, 2025. Anchliya brings over 15 years of experience in investment banking, corporate finance, strategy, and mergers and acquisitions, with senior roles at Barclays, Bandhan Group, and most recently as CFO of Bandhan AMC. He holds an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad and a B.Tech. from IIT Kharagpur.
In his new role, Anchliya will lead Cashfree’s financial strategy, optimize operations, and support the company’s next growth phase. He will report to CEO and Co-founder Akash Sinha, who highlighted Anchliya’s expertise as vital for sustainable scaling and strengthening the company’s financial foundation. Anchliya succeeds outgoing CFO Vikas Guru, who will assist during the transition.
Founded in 2015, Cashfree Payments processes over $80 billion annually for more than 800,000 businesses. The company recently raised $53 million in funding led by KRAFTON and Apis Growth Fund II and secured key RBI licenses, positioning it for accelerated growth in India’s fintech sector. Anchliya’s appointment comes at a pivotal time as Cashfree aims to expand its leadership in digital payments.
Jeyandran Venugopal, the outgoing Chief Product and Technology Officer of Flipkart, is set to become the CEO of Reliance Retail Ventures (RRV), the retail arm of Reliance Industries. His appointment, expected to be finalized in May after his exit from Flipkart, signals Reliance’s push to strengthen its retail business with a technology-first approach.
Venugopal brings extensive experience from leading roles at Flipkart, Myntra, Yahoo, Snapdeal, and Amazon, where he focused on scaling technology platforms and driving innovation. At Flipkart, he managed product, engineering, data science, and more, helping build robust systems and improve user experience.
His move comes as Reliance Retail undergoes transformation, including cost-cutting and a renewed focus on digital growth. Venugopal’s leadership is expected to accelerate Reliance’s ambitions in omnichannel and tech-driven retail, positioning the company for continued dominance in India’s evolving market.