Meesho IPO, Should You Apply?
India’s
IPO season is heating up again — and this time, one of the most disruptive
startups in the e-commerce space is stepping onto the stage: Meesho.
If you’ve
ever heard someone say, “Amazon mehenga hai, Meesho try kar,” then you
already understand why this IPO is getting attention. Backed by Meta (Facebook)
and SoftBank, Meesho isn’t just another commerce platform — it’s a business
built around India’s middle-class aspirations, affordability, and small-town
entrepreneurship.
But
before you hit "Apply," you need a realistic view — not hype. Let’s break down everything that
matters.
Apply IPO: Click Here
Company Overview: What Exactly Is Meesho?
Meesho
began in 2015 with a very simple premise: make it easy for small sellers and
homemaker-resellers to sell products online through social platforms like
WhatsApp and Facebook.
It wasn’t
built initially for the wealthy metropolitan crowd — it was engineered for Bharat, not India.
Over the
years, Meesho evolved from a reseller-focused app into a full-fledged value e-commerce marketplace, where
customers can directly purchase products without a middle layer. Today:
- It’s one of India’s top downloaded shopping apps.
- It has deep penetration in
Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
- And most importantly — it
appeals to the budget-sensitive
buyer segment Amazon and Flipkart don’t fully dominate.
Meesho
built a different category entirely: affordable
everyday shopping for price-conscious households.
Business Model & Product Ecosystem
Unlike
most e-commerce players, Meesho follows a zero-commission model. Sellers don’t pay platform commission,
listing fees, or penalties.
So how
does Meesho make money?
Revenue Streams
- Logistics fees: Delivery charge collected
from sellers and customers.
- Advertisement revenue: Sellers pay to boost
visibility.
- Fulfilment and warehousing
services:
Optional paid services.
- Seller value-adds: Analytics, packaging
support, promotions, etc.
The interesting part?
Meesho’s average order value is Rs.250–Rs.400,
which sounds small — but the volume is enormous. The company thrives on scale and repeat purchases, not
big-ticket items.
Product Categories
Fashion
& Lifestyle
Home & furnishing
Beauty & personal care
Accessories
Kids wear
Fashion
accounts for a majority of orders — because that’s where mass affordability
matters most.
IPO Details: Key Facts to Know
|
Parameter
|
Detail
|
|
Issue Size
|
Rs. 5421 Cr
|
|
Type
|
Fresh Issue + Offer for Sale
|
|
GMP Trend
|
Expected to be strong closer
to listing
|
|
Backers
|
Meta, SoftBank, Peak XV,
Fidelity
|
|
Listing Exchange
|
NSE & BSE
|
|
Expected Listing
|
2025–26 window depending on
market mood
|
As final
numbers come out, volatility in grey market premium (GMP) may show how
confident institutions are.
Financial Performance: The Shift Everyone Is
Watching
Let’s be
blunt: Meesho wasn’t profitable — like most tech-led consumer startups. But
things are changing.
|
Year
|
Revenue
|
Profit/Loss
|
|
FY21
|
Rs.792 Cr
|
-Rs.498 Cr
|
|
FY22
|
Rs.3,232 Cr
|
-Rs.3,248 Cr
|
|
FY23
|
Rs.5,735 Cr
|
-Rs.1,675 Cr
|
|
FY24*
|
Near break-even (internal
estimates)
|
|
What stands
out?
- Revenue is growing
aggressively.
- Costs are being optimized.
- Cash burn is reducing dramatically.
If the
company continues this pace, it could turn profitable in the next 6–12 quarters.
Market Opportunity: Why This IPO Exists
India’s
digital shopping boom is nowhere near its peak. By 2026:
- The e-commerce market is
expected to cross $150–$170
Billion.
- Most new online shoppers
will come from Tier-2 and below
cities.
- These users prefer affordable, no-brand or private-label
goods.
That’s
Meesho’s playground.
Unlike
Amazon or Flipkart, Meesho doesn’t rely on big brands — it relies on millions of micro-entrepreneurs and small
factories.
This
makes it scalable without large inventory investments.
Peer Comparison: Where Meesho Stands
|
Player
|
Target Customer
|
Differentiator
|
Profitability
|
|
Amazon
|
Premium + Prime users
|
Logistics & ecosystem
|
Profit globally
|
|
Flipkart
|
Middle India + brands
|
Heavy discounts
|
Loss-making
|
|
Myntra
|
Fashion-focused
|
Brand partnerships
|
Loss-making
|
|
Meesho
|
Budget
India (Tier 2–5)
|
Zero
commission + low prices
|
Near
breakeven
|
Meesho
isn’t trying to win against Amazon on tech or Prime delivery — it's winning
loyalty through pricing and
accessibility.
Strengths That Make It Attractive
Massive
user base with repeat buying
Asset-light model — scalable without heavy capex
Strong backing from global investors
Cost leadership in logistics and seller onboarding
High growth runway in underpenetrated markets
Risks Investors MUST Consider
Returns are high (up to 30–35%) ? eats margins
Thin unit economics ? one wrong
pricing cycle can trigger losses
Intense competition ? rivals can
copy pricing strategy
Dependent on ads and logistics revenue
Platform quality inconsistency ?
risky for scale
This is
not a stable FMCG stock — it’s a high-risk,
high-reward e-commerce bet.
Listing Gain Potential: What To Expect
Tech IPOs
in India have seen mixed results:
- Zomato ? Strong start, then
correction
- Nykaa ? Listing premium,
then slump
- Paytm ? Disaster initially,
recovering now
- Mamaearth ? Listed well,
cooled later
Meesho’s
fate depends on:
IPO
pricing discipline
Market sentiment at launch
Institutional buying demand
Final Verdict: Should You Apply?
If you're
a:
|
Investor Type
|
Recommendation
|
|
Long-term
growth investor
|
Yes,
worth considering
|
|
Risk-averse
or dividend-focused
|
Avoid
|
|
Short-term
listing gain hunter
|
Depends on final pricing & GMP
|
|
Start-up
/ tech portfolio builder
|
Likely suitable
|
Conclusion
Meesho
isn’t just another IPO — it represents a shift in how India shops. It targets
the real India: people who want fashion, convenience and affordability without
the premium packaging or big brands.
If Meesho
continues reducing losses and scaling responsibly, it could become the Walmart for India’s digital middle-class
economy — at a fraction of the price.
The
upside exists — but so does the risk.
So if
you're applying, apply with:
Logic, not hype
Long-term perspective, not FOMO
Realistic expectations, not blind
optimism