New Delhi, October 23: Zomato has reportedly increased its platform fee to INR 10 amid the festive season rush. The Zomato platform fee hike comes as demand for online food orders surges during the festive season, which will likely impact millions of customers in India. According to reports, the platform fee increase is intended to cover Zomato’s operational costs and keep the business running smoothly. To ensure the company can continue providing their services during the busy festive season, Zomato has reportedly made adjustments by raising the platform fee.

As per a report of NDTV Profit, Zomato Hikes Platform Fee By 67 per cent To INR 10 citing "Festive Rush." The increase of price comes three months after the company raised its platform fee from INR 5 to INR 6 per order. It is still unclear whether the fee has been raised in all the cities where Zomato operates. Zomato Clocks Over 30% Net Profit Loss at INR 176 Crore in Q2, Approves Plan To Raise INR 8,500 Crore via QIP Route.

Zomato initially introduced a platform fee of INR 2 in August 2023 as a way to boost its profit margins. Over time, the company gradually increased this fee, including a temporary rise to INR 9 on December 31. In a notification to its customers, Zomato reportedly explained that the slight fee increase during the festive season was necessary to maintain its services during the busy period. The additional fee is expected to help the company cover its expenses and ensure the platform continues to operate smoothly. Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit Accused of Unfair Predatory Pricing Practices by All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation.

Apart from the price hike, Zomato recently reported a loss of over 30 per cent in its net profit for the July-September period. The company saw a decline to INR 176 crore, compared to INR 253 crore in the previous quarter (Q1 FY25). According to a regulatory filing, Zomato's board has also given approval to raise INR 8,500 crore through the qualified institutional placement (QIP) method.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 23, 2024 12:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).