Flipkart opens its platform for global customers via eBay

After acquiring eBay, Bengaluru-based e-commerce major Flipkart has gone global. Sellers on Flipkart can now sell saris, jewellery, handicrafts, accessories among other categories to the diaspora residing in 200 countries across the globe.

Flipkart has launched a global programme to enable its sellers to sell to customers worldwide in partnership with eBay. The company’s ‘Flipkart Global’ initiative targets to push 'Made in India' products to Indian diaspora.

As per Economic Times report, Flipkart will begin this programme for its ‘Gold’ category sellers and later open it to other merchants. Earlier this month, Flipkart had acquired eBay India. The US based marketplace also pumped-in $500 million cash investment in Flipkart that now owns and operate eBay.in.

"This is a large opportunity for us. We are looking to build on it with our massive seller base, the expertise of eBay India along with Flipkart’s technology and marketplace strength," Goteti told ET.

Currently, eBay has about 171 million active customerS globally in over 190 countries. Customers in these countries can buy Flipkart’s products through eBay. Flipkart will also use its 'Global Powership' initiative where it has partnered with global vendors and carrier service.

Importantly, the Softbank-funded company will not have any specific branding on the eBay platform. Flipkart’s competitors - Amazon and Paytm had already launched global seller initiatives in the past.

While Amazon allowed over 23,000 Indian merchants to sell their products to other countries two years ago, Noida-based Paytm started cross-border shipping of Indian brands to China on its platform last month.

"Sellers who manufacture in India can leverage the global platform with a unique value proposition. If sellers are sourcing from other countries such as China, they may not be able to compete with sellers already selling globally," said Navin Mistry, India business head for eBay.in.