Walmart owned Flipkart is in talks to buy Bengaluru-based grocery chain Namdhari Fresh as it is looking to push its play in the food and grocery segment, sources told CNBC-TV18.

Started in 2000 by parent company Namdhari Seeds, Namdhari Fresh operates over 30 stores in Bengaluru.

While Walmart is said to have held talks with Namdhari, the acquisition will be made through Flipkart, said the sources. The contours of the deal, however, are still being worked out, they added.

According to the sources, Walmart is keen to get into businesses with strong agri-supply chain and Namdhari's sourcing from farmers is a key area of focus in the talks.

Flipkart has been working on building its grocery business for the past few years. It finally launched its grocery business last year with 'Supermart' in Bengaluru.

​Flipkart and Amazon are also bracing for a fight with Reliance which is set to enter ecommerce through an omni-channel play.

Amazon had fetched food retail licence two years ago and has committed to invest $500 million in the business. The government allowed 100 percent FDI in food retail segment, including for ecommerce, in 2017. The company also acquired food and grocery retail chain More last year.

First Published:May 1, 2019 5:47 PM IST