CityMall

CityMall, a social commerce startup based in Gurugram, laid off approximately 90 employees on October 16 as part of a cost-cutting initiative directed by its investors. This marks the company's second significant round of layoffs in 16 months, following the termination of about 191 employees in June 2022. The recent cuts affected nearly all departments, with the startup offering severance pay equivalent to one month's salary. Operating in the e-commerce industry, CityMall focuses on delivering grocery, FMCG, electronics, and fashion products to consumers in Tier III and IV cities. Despite raising a total of $112 million from investors like Norwest Venture Partners and Elevation Capital, the company has faced internal challenges, including frequent top management changes and office relocations, contributing to this restructuring effort.

In June 2022, Indian social commerce startup CityMall laid off 191 employees, impacting at least 30% of its workforce, which had recently been over 500. The Gurgaon-based company, which had just raised $75 million in late March and over $110 million total from investors like General Catalyst, announced the cuts to implement structural changes and align with an evolving business model amid a sharp market reversal. This move was part of a broader trend of layoffs across Indian startups, as global tech stock declines led investors to slow funding. CityMall, which partners with thousands of micro-entrepreneurs across about 30 cities, described the decision as one of its toughest, offering support to affected staff.