Flipkart is one of India’s biggest e‑commerce companies, and its shopping app is the primary way most users in India interact with the platform. The Flipkart Online Shopping App is available for Android (Google Play) and iOS (App Store). Through this app, users can browse and buy a wide variety of products — electronics, fashion, home appliances, groceries, and much more. (Wikipedia)
History & Background of Flipkart
To understand the app, it's helpful to look at the company behind it:
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Founding: Flipkart was founded in 2007 by Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal. (Wikipedia)
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Growth: Over the years, Flipkart expanded from just books to a full-fledged marketplace, covering many categories. (Pocketful.in)
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Acquisition: In 2018, Walmart bought a majority stake (about 77%) in Flipkart, giving it more financial muscle. (Wikipedia)
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Recent Changes: In 2025, Flipkart announced shifting its holding company back to India from Singapore, aligning more closely with its core operations. (Reuters)
How Flipkart’s Business Model Works
Flipkart works on a multi‑vendor marketplace model, which means:
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Sellers list their products on Flipkart.
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Buyers browse and order via the app.
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Flipkart handles payments, and often logistics through its delivery arm, Ekart. (Miracuves)
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Revenue comes from commission on each sale, plus logistics fees, and also in‑app advertising. (Pocketful.in)
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There's also a loyalty program called Flipkart Plus, which gives customers benefits like early access to sales and extra “SuperCoins.” (Pocketful.in)
Key Features of the Flipkart App
Here are some of the most important features that make the Flipkart app popular and useful:
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Wide Range of Products
Users can shop across numerous categories: mobiles, fashion, electronics, home goods, and grocery. (Miracuves) -
Flipkart Minutes
One really cool addition is Flipkart Minutes — a service promising 10-minute delivery for certain items like groceries, snacks, and everyday essentials. -
Rewards & SuperCoins
On every purchase, users earn SuperCoins. These can be used to get discounts or special deals. -
Personalized Experience
The app uses tech and data to provide personalized product recommendations, deals, and notifications. (GrowthJockey) -
Fintech Integration
Flipkart has integrated financial services: -
Video Commerce (Vibes)
Flipkart introduced a “swipe screen” shopping experience with video content (called Vibes), which is especially attractive for Gen Z. (Wikipedia) -
AI Assistant – Flippi
Flipkart’s AI-powered shopping assistant Flippi can help users make decisions, like suggesting products. (Wikipedia) -
Sustainable Shopping
For eco-conscious buyers, there is Flipkart Green — a section dedicated to sustainable, certified products. (Wikipedia)
Strengths of the Flipkart App
The Flipkart app has many advantages:
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Convenience: Everything from ordering to delivery is managed within the app, which makes the shopping experience smooth.
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Fast Delivery: With services like Flipkart Minutes, users can get essential items very quickly.
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Wide Reach: Because Flipkart serves millions of users across India (including tier‑2 and tier‑3 cities), its delivery network (via Ekart) is very mature. (GrowthJockey)
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Loyalty & Engagement: SuperCoins and Flipkart Plus keep users engaged and encourage repeat purchases.
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Cutting‑Edge Features: Using AI (Flippi) and video commerce (Vibes) shows Flipkart is innovating.
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Financial Flexibility: UPI, EMI, and other payment options make shopping more accessible.
Challenges & Criticisms
No app is perfect — here are some areas where Flipkart has faced criticism:
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Hidden Charges
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Some users have reported a ₹ 4 “platform fee” when they cancel orders almost immediately:
“…cancelled within 2 minutes … and yet, I get charged a ₹4 ‘platform fee’ …” (Reddit)
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Customer Service
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Reddit users complain that Flipkart’s support isn’t always helpful. For example:
“They made me cancel ... more than a month since I canceled … they ... didn’t initiate refund yet …” (Reddit)
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There are also cases of “scammers” placing orders via spoofed calls:
“…an order was placed in my name … I couldn’t cancel the order …” (Reddit)
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Data / Privacy Concerns
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Some users allege that their personal data (like old phone numbers) is still linked with previous accounts. (Reddit)
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Quality Issues
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There are complaints about items not being as described, wrong items delivered, or even used products being sent. (Reddit)
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Regulatory Risk
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Flipkart’s warehouses have been under scrutiny: In 2025, Indian authorities seized products from Flipkart’s warehouses for not meeting quality standards. (Reuters)
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Recent Developments
To stay relevant and competitive, Flipkart has made several strategic moves recently:
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Base Shift: Flipkart is moving its holding company from Singapore back to India to align business operations with its home market. (Reuters)
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Exchange Program: They launched an exchange program covering 26 product categories — users can give old electronics in return for discounts on new ones. (The Times of India)
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Big Billion Days Sale 2025: Flipkart’s iconic sale event is happening, offering big discounts. (Navbharat Times)
Why People Use the Flipkart App
Here are a few reasons why users prefer Flipkart’s app for shopping:
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It’s user‑friendly and easy to navigate.
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The instant rewards and SuperCoins make repeat shopping attractive.
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Sales like Big Billion Days provide massive discounts.
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Quick delivery options (especially Flipkart Minutes) make it valuable for urgent needs.
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Localized experience — Flipkart supports multiple languages and delivers to many regions.
Tips for Using the Flipkart App Smartly
If you’re using Flipkart, here are some tips to get the best experience:
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Compare Prices: Even on Flipkart, do a quick check to compare seller prices before buying.
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Use SuperCoins Wisely: Redeem them when there’s a big sale or for higher-value items.
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Check Seller Ratings: For third-party sellers, verify their ratings and reviews.
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Use Secure Payment Options: Prefer UPI or credit options instead of just cash-on-delivery.
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Be Careful With Scams: Be wary of calls or messages “from Flipkart” asking you to confirm orders. Always verify in the app.
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Track Delivery: Use the order tracking to monitor your parcel, especially for big or expensive orders.
Conclusion
The Flipkart Online Shopping App is a powerful and flexible e-commerce tool in India. It brings a massive product catalog, a strong logistics network, and innovative features like quick commerce, AI assistance, and video shopping. Its business model is smartly diversified — not just commission, but also logistics, ads, and fintech.
However, Flipkart also faces legitimate criticisms: hidden fees, customer support issues, and scandalous user experiences. These are areas where the company needs constant improvement.
Overall, for many users in India, the Flipkart app continues to be a go-to for online shopping because of its reach, convenience, and rewards. Whether you’re someone who shops daily essentials or tech gadgets, the Flipkart app offers a compelling platform — if you use it wisely.