Amidst intense competition within India’s thriving e-commerce arena, Flipkart, a subsidiary of Walmart, has introduced “Flipkart VIP” as its response to Amazon’s Prime program.
This strategic move comes just a few days before the annual festive season sale, during which both e-commerce titans aim to attract customers with attractive discounts.
“VIP is Flipkart’s subscription-based loyalty program where customers enjoy extra privileges enhancing customer experience. Customers can buy a subscription at INR 499 and become a VIP member for a year,” Flipkart said on its website.
The newly launched Flipkart VIP is offered at an introductory rate of INR 499 per year, assuring VIP members in specific regions of free same-day or next-day deliveries. In comparison, Amazon Prime currently costs INR 999 annually.
While Flipkart’s VIP program closely mirrors Amazon Prime’s offerings, the Walmart-owned company still has room for improvement in extending similar services to customers across a broader geographical scope. Currently, Flipkart does not universally offer the assurance of free same-day or next-day deliveries, a feature that has given Amazon a competitive edge through its Prime program.
Furthermore, Flipkart VIP has been crafted to streamline the returns process for its members, ensuring the collection of returns within a 48-hour timeframe. What distinguishes Flipkart VIP is its commitment to providing dedicated agents to assist VIP members with their inquiries, a service that is not presently available through Amazon.
“Convenience benefits include free fast shipping and faster returns within 24 to 48 hours on select products on the FLIPKART platform (except grocery) in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and other select pincodes making your shopping experience smoother and more enjoyable,” it said on the website.
As an enhancement to its VIP program, Flipkart has unveiled an enticing perk for its members. Starting on October 8, 2023, members will enjoy the exclusive ability to modify or reschedule their flight reservations through Cleartrip without incurring any extra charges. It’s worth mentioning that Flipkart acquired Cleartrip in 2021 as part of its strategy to broaden its range of services.
On the flip side, Amazon Prime provides an all-encompassing bundle that encompasses Prime Video, Prime Music, Gaming, and Reading. In contrast, Flipkart VIP currently lacks entertainment offerings in its package.
The prominent e-commerce company recently revealed the launch dates for its much-anticipated sales event, “The Big Billion Days,” scheduled to commence on October 8 and extend until October 15. Coincidentally, this aligns with Amazon’s sales event, set to start on October 8 and run through to October 15.
The domestic e-commerce leader also announced its intention to generate 100,000 direct and indirect seasonal job opportunities to bolster its supply chain, ensuring it can meet customer demands during its flagship seasonal sale this year.
