Flipkart, the world’s largest e-commerce company, has diversified its ecosystem this year with the acquisitions of online travel agency Cleartrip and e-pharmacy marketplace Sastasundar. The Walmart-owned company is on the verge of making another acquisition.
According to three people familiar with the matter, Flipkart is in talks to acquire full-stack e-commerce enabler ANS Commerce.
ANS Commerce is a full-stack e-commerce enabler that assists brands in selling their products online. It provides brand store technology, marketing, management, warehousing, and fulfilment services.
The Gurugram-based startup, founded by Amit Monga, Vibhor Sahare, Sushant Puri, and Nakul Singh, recently raised $2.2 million in a pre-Series A round led by Gokul Rajaram and Venture Catalysts.
According to sources, the transaction is expected to be completed within the next few weeks.Over 100 brands work with ANS Commerce, including Jack & Jones, Vero Moda, HUL, Piramal, Lakme, Nivea, Oziva, CEAT, and Bikanervala. According to the company, by the end of this fiscal year, it will have expanded to 150-180 brands. Taking advantage of the direct to consumer (D2C) trend, the company intends to generate 30% of its revenue from D2C brands.
“We don’t comment on rumors or speculation,” said ANS Commerce. Queries sent to Flipkart did not elicit an immediate response. We’ll update the post in case they do.
ANS Commerce was a participant in Flipkart’s accelerator programme Flipkart Leap, which the e-commerce giant announced in January of this year. Entropik Tech, Fashinza, Gully Network, Piggy, Tagbox Solutions, Unbox Robotics, and Fasal were also chosen.
If the deal goes through, ANS Commerce will be Flipkart’s third acquisition in the current fiscal year (FY22). Flipkart acquired five companies in the last two fiscal years, including Scapic, Mech Mocha, and Walmart’s B2B business.
In addition to acquisitions, it invested in Ninjacart, Shadowfax, Aditya Birla Fashion Retail Limited, Arvind Fashions, and USPL. Flipkart and its American parent company, Walmart, recently led a $145 million round in Ninjacart.
