# Is Walmart in India or Delhi? No Physical Stores Yet, But Retail Presence Through Flipkart - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/is-walmart-in-india-or-delhi/ - Published: 2023-10-20 - Author: Terry Williams - Categories: [Walmart](https://33rdsquare.com/category/consumer/walmart/) --- To directly answer the question posed in the title – no, Walmart does not currently operate any physical stores in India or in Delhi, India‘s capital and second largest city. However, Walmart does have a major retail presence in India through its 2018 acquisition of Flipkart, a leading Indian e-commerce marketplace. Walmart‘s lack of locations in India reflects unique market conditions rather than disinterest. In fact, as the world‘s largest retailer, Walmart is highly motivated to tap into India‘s over 1.3 billion consumers as a critical growth market. But foreign direct investment rules, economic realities, logistical complexities, and ingrained shopping habits have led Walmart to take a calculated digital-first strategy – for now. ## Walmart‘s Track Record of Global Retail Dominance With over 10,000 stores worldwide, Walmart has proven its ability to systematically crack new markets with its aggressive expansion strategy over the past 30 years. Walmart‘s International Presence: | Year | Countries with stores | Total international stores | | --- | --- | --- | | 1995 | 6 | 276 | | 2005 | 15 | 2,763 | | 2015 | 26 | 6,307 | | 2021 | 24 | 5,339 | While Walmart scales back in some markets like Brazil and South Korea in response to local conditions, it remains focused on steady growth by prioritizing key regions. Walmart International sales topped $120 billion in FY 2021, representing over 20% of total company revenue. India, despite its unique challenges, represents alluring upside for Walmart given the country‘s rapid development and demographics. India‘s median age is only 28, signaling an enormous long-term market opportunity as younger generations earn higher incomes. ## The Complexities of India‘s Retail Landscape However, establishing Walmart‘s signature massive stores offering everything under one roof at "Everyday Low Prices" is easier said than done in India. Amid a maze of dense urban neighborhoods and dispersed rural villages, India lacks the standardized infrastructure of the American suburbs where Walmarts thrive today. Small, independent corner stores called kiranas woven into the social fabric still dominate Indian commerce. Supply chain and logistics pose a further challenge. Over 200 million Indians still live without regular access to electricity. And while India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables globally, transporting perishable inventory across long distances from farm to store results in high waste. Regulatory barriers also prevent Walmart from simply replicating its proven supercenter model. To protect the livelihoods of kirana owners and employees, foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail faces tight restrictions. ## Flipkart – Walmart‘s Ticket to India‘s E-Commerce Scene Rather than attempting to force its traditional operations into India, Walmart made a savvy move in 2018 by acquiring a 77% majority stake in homegrown e-commerce upstart Flipkart for $16 billion. Flipkart had already spent over a decade adapting to local conditions. And unlike physical stores, e-commerce provided a faster lane for Walmart to participate in India‘s growth with less red tape. | E-Commerce Company | Year Founded | Founders | HQ | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Flipkart | 2007 | Ex-Amazon employees Sachin Bansal & Binny Bansal | Bangalore, India | Today, Flipkart gives Walmart digital access to over 150 million Indian consumers. Appreciative of convenience, young urbanites in particular are taking to online shopping in India much like their American peers. Flipkart cleverly adapted by allowing customers to pay cash on delivery given low credit card usage. _"Flipkart‘s mobile app makes shopping so easy. I can browse sarees while commuting and pay the driver cash when my order arrives at home!"_ – Bangalore area consumer While Flipkart trails Amazon India in market share today, Walmart‘s supply chain expertise and backing can enable Flipkart to scale nationally across India‘s diverse regions in the years ahead. ## How Flipkart Helps Walmart Localize for Indian Shoppers Flipkart, as a homegrown e-commerce company, provides Walmart vital local knowledge and relationships. Since acquiring Flipkart, Walmart has begun modernizing India‘s fragmented wholesale supply chain. Flipkart now operates 28 Best Price Cash & Carry stores. At these locations, local kirana shop owners can buy bulk inventory of food, home goods and electronics to resell at their neighborhood shops. This lets small businesses save time and money when stocking their shelves. Walmart‘s logistics partnership with Gurgaon-based logistics firm Delhivery also powers Flipkart‘s growing online grocery business Supermart. Online groceries are still a novelty for Indian consumers, but offer an alternative to crowded local markets. _According to a study by RedSeer Consulting, India‘s eGrocery market is projected to grow at 56% CAGR from $1.9B in 2019 to $18.2B in 2024_. ## Looking Ahead: Will Walmexistentmart Ever Open India Stores? Walmart may one day directly compete with kiranas via its own stores should political winds continue shifting. The Modi government recently proposed allowing foreign companies to open stand-alone supermarkets, potentially setting the stage for eased restrictions. Walmart also partnered with Bharti Group in 2007 to establish cash-and-carry wholesale locations, indicating that Walmart is open to collaborating with respected Indian companies as a path to deeper retail penetration. But for now, Walmart is playing it smart by holding back on major brick-and-mortar investment. Flipkart represents a solid beachhead. Walmart can support Flipkart‘s growth in India‘s dynamic e-commerce sector while better understanding what physical retail models may work down the road. India promises to be a marathon, not a sprint. But in Flipkart, Walmart has found the perfect running partner. --- Source: [Is Walmart in India or Delhi? No Physical Stores Yet, But Retail Presence Through Flipkart](https://33rdsquare.com/is-walmart-in-india-or-delhi/)