LONG BACK
Looking for a book on internet I stumbled upon a website called flipkart.com.
It was a book store and sold books at prices far better than the local book depots. It was a hit for me, with all the books that I wanted available and at unmatched price.
Back then it looked like this
[Image source – wayback machine]
It was growing fast and I believe it started making profits too.
It then got VC funded…and funded again
And one day I received an email from flipkart saying – “We also sell mobile phones now” … then ” electronics ” … and then “home appliances” … “CDs, DVDs, Cameras, Laptops, Fridge” and so on…
NOW
I see Flipkart on TV, Newspaper, Internet and every where.
It is hugely VC funded – and every few days I receive email from them saying –
“We now sell music at Rs.6 per song (No home delivery on that one 😛)”
“We sell pen, pencil, eraser” … “Bags, Belts & Luggage”… “Razors, Blades & After Shave ” … and a hell lot more.
Its product portfolio is growing very fast but everyone says (I’ve read) it is now making big losses.
With the current growth rate I suppose flipkart’s home page will pretty soon look like this –
And I will receive an email saying –
“We now sell Sambhar Masala, Tomatoes, Milk & Men’s Chaddhi”
I am confused :-/
Does selling everything makes Flipkart(online store) profitable ??
(What do you think ??)