5132: Flipkart’s IPO prep, Q-commerce summer order surge & India’s new political map | MC Editor's Picks

Flipkart is gearing up for a major pre-IPO funding round, engaging global investors to establish a strong valuation benchmark ahead of its public listing plans. At the same time, a Blackstone-led consortium is exploring innovative funding routes by tapping wealthy Indian investors to support its high-profile acquisition of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise. Consumer demand trends are also shifting with an early and intense summer boosting sales of seasonal goods, though uneven temperature patterns are leading to fluctuating demand. Meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh, rising worker productivity has not translated into better wages, as increasing labour supply and cost-of-living pressures continue to fuel discontent and protests. All this and more inside.