Myntra is an Indian e-commerce company specialising in the online retail of fashion and lifestyle products. Headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka, it is a subsidiary of Flipkart, which is in turn majority-owned by Walmart. The platform sells apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty products and home and lifestyle goods from Indian and international brands, and also markets a portfolio of private labels.
| Type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | E-commerce, fashion retail |
| Headquarters | Bengaluru, Karnataka, India |
| Area served | India |
| Parent | Flipkart (Walmart) |
| Products | Apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty, home and lifestyle |
Background
Myntra was founded in 2007 by Mukesh Bansal along with Ashutosh Lawania and Vineet Saxena. It initially operated as a business-to-business platform for personalised gift items such as customised T-shirts, mugs and stationery. Around 2011, the company shifted its focus to online retail of branded fashion and lifestyle merchandise, positioning itself as a category-focused alternative to general-purpose marketplaces.
History
Early years
After its launch in 2007, Myntra raised early venture funding from investors including Accel Partners, IDG Ventures India, Tiger Global and Kalaari Capital. The pivot to fashion retail enabled it to build relationships with major Indian and international apparel brands.
Acquisition by Flipkart
In May 2014, Myntra was acquired by Flipkart in a deal that combined the fashion operations of the two companies. Mukesh Bansal joined the Flipkart leadership and headed the combined fashion business. Following the acquisition, Myntra continued to operate as a distinct brand and platform.
App-only experiment
In 2015, Myntra discontinued its desktop website and moved to an app-only model in an attempt to focus on mobile commerce. The strategy was reversed in 2016, when the desktop site was reinstated after the change affected sales.
Acquisition of Jabong
In July 2016, Myntra acquired the Indian operations of Jabong from the Global Fashion Group, consolidating its position in the online fashion segment. Jabong continued to operate as a separate platform under the Myntra umbrella for several years before its catalogue and operations were progressively integrated.
Walmart era
In 2018, Walmart acquired a majority stake in Flipkart, bringing Myntra under the Walmart group. The company has since expanded its private-label portfolio, introduced video and live-commerce features, and run flagship sale events such as the End of Reason Sale (EORS) and Big Fashion Festival.
Operations
Myntra operates an online marketplace and mobile application through which it sells products from third-party brands as well as in-house labels such as Roadster, HRX, Dressberry, Anouk, Mast & Harbour and Here&Now. The company maintains warehousing and logistics infrastructure across India, with significant operations in Bengaluru. It has periodically signed exclusive distribution arrangements with international fashion and sports brands for the Indian market.
Significance
Myntra is considered one of the largest dedicated online fashion retailers in India and has played a notable role in shaping organised online apparel retail in the country. Its sale events, brand tie-ups and private-label strategy are frequently cited in discussions of Indian e-commerce, while its acquisition by Flipkart was among the early large consolidations in the Indian internet sector.
Related topics
References
- Wikidata entity: Q6947830