BENGALURU: Walmart’s Flipkart said on Tuesday it would create 70,000 new jobs and employ many more as delivery partners and in other roles as it prepares for a surge in online shopping during the busy Indian festive season.
Flipkart, Amazon.com’s Indian unit and Reliance Industries’ fledgling e-commerce business are vying for a share of the booming online retail market, which received a big boost from the COVID-19 pandemic as more Indians used their smartphones to shop for groceries and other items.
Flipkart’s “Big Billion Days,” styled on the lines of Amazon’s Prime Day, rakes in its biggest sales for the year. The four- or five-day long sale usually starts around October to tap India’s festive season, which ends with Diwali.
The company said it would also sign up more than 50,000 kiranas, or small grocery stores, for last-mile delivery.
“While creating direct job opportunities across Flipkart’s supply chain, that include delivery executives, pickers, packers and sorters, there will also be additional indirect jobs created at Flipkart’s seller partner locations and (local corner stores),” the company said in an emailed statement.
Earlier this month, the e-commerce company launched an online wholesale service, Flipkart Wholesale, for mom-and-pop stores and other small businesses.
Walmart’s Flipkart to hire 70,000 in India ahead of big shopping event
https://arab.news/j5s3d
Walmart’s Flipkart to hire 70,000 in India ahead of big shopping event
- Flipkart’s ‘Big Billion Days’, styled on the lines of Amazon’s Prime Day, rakes in its biggest sales for the year
- Company would also sign up more than 50,000 kiranas, or small grocery stores, for last-mile delivery
Cruise Saudi strengthens global ties as Celestyal makes maiden calls to Jeddah
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia is accelerating its push to become a global cruise hub, with Cruise Saudi — a wholly owned Public Investment Fund subsidiary — expanding international partnerships to draw more travelers to the Kingdom’s Red Sea and Arabian Gulf ports.
The latest milestone came as award-winning Greek cruise line Celestyal completed its first-ever calls to Jeddah, signaling rising global interest in Saudi Arabia’s cultural and natural attractions.
The visits form part of Cruise Saudi’s strategy to build a year-round cruise ecosystem that supports tourism growth, boosts local supply chains, and contributes to the Kingdom’s broader economic diversification.
Three UNESCO World Heritage Sites — AlUla, Jeddah Historic District, and Al-Ahsa Oasis — are now accessible by sea, with curated shore excursions designed to deepen visitor engagement.
Cruise Saudi aims to welcome 1.3 million cruise passengers annually by 2035, creating 50,000 direct and indirect jobs and positioning the Kingdom as a premier international cruise destination.
The 1,360-passenger Celestyal Discovery arrived in Jeddah on Dec. 5, following the 1,260-passenger Celestyal Journey, which made its maiden call on Nov. 29. The Journey concluded a seven-night Athens–Jeddah itinerary with stops in Turkiye and Egypt, marked by a traditional plaque exchange ceremony attended by Cruise Saudi executives, port officials and Celestyal representatives.
Passengers were welcomed with traditional Saudi hospitality and toured Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district, bustling souks, and cultural sites. Some Muslim travelers also visited Makkah to perform Umrah.
“We are honored to celebrate our maiden call in Jeddah alongside our partners at Cruise Saudi, marking the beginning of a long and effective relationship,” said Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal.
He added that Jeddah’s role as “the cultural heart of Saudi Arabia” presents strong potential for cruise tourism.
Barbara Buczek, chief destination experiences officer at Cruise Saudi, told Arab News: “This maiden Red Sea sailing highlights the strong appeal of the region and aligns with Cruise Saudi's commitment to developing seamless, high-quality cruise experiences in Saudi Arabia.”
She noted that Celestyal’s expanded itineraries reflect rising demand for distinctive Red Sea and Arabian Gulf voyages.
Since its launch in 2021, Cruise Saudi has activated five cruise ports, introduced Aroya Cruises, the Kingdom’s first homegrown cruise line, and established Aman at Sea, an ultra-luxury JV with Aman Group set to launch in 2027. The company manages the full value chain — from terminals and berths to curated excursions — and has already welcomed more than 600,000 passengers of over 120 nationalities.
Celestyal, which carries more than 140,000 passengers annually across two refurbished vessels, is aligning with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambition to transform coastal tourism. After departing Jeddah, both Celestyal ships continued to Abu Dhabi to begin the company’s second Arabian Gulf season.
Aroya Cruises has also launched a new seasonal program featuring stops in Mykonos, Athens, Crete, and coastal cities in Turkiye, expanding on a successful inaugural season that attracted over 95,000 guests.
The growing activity underscores Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a world-class cruise destination, supported by modern infrastructure, expanding routes, and experiences that highlight the Kingdom’s culture, heritage and hospitality.
