India’s two leading food delivery platforms, Swiggy and Zomato, have quietly increased their platform fees, putting extra pressure on customers during the country’s peak festive season.
The platform fee, a small charge added to every order, has steadily climbed over the past few months. For instance, both platforms now charge between ₹5 and ₹10 per order, compared to ₹2–₹3 earlier. While this may look like a minor increase, frequent users—especially students, office-goers, and families ordering multiple times a week are beginning to feel the pinch.
With festive spending already high, many Indians are becoming more price-sensitive. Rising food costs, delivery charges, and now higher platform fees are forcing customers to reconsider how often they order online.
Industry analysts note that Swiggy and Zomato are under pressure to improve profitability. The fee hikes, though small individually, add up to hundreds of crores in extra revenue annually. However, there’s a risk: cost-conscious consumers may shift to takeaways, dining out, or even cooking at home if they feel delivery has become too expensive.
The festive season is usually the busiest time for food delivery platforms, with spikes during Durga Puja, Diwali, and Christmas. This year, the big question is whether higher platform fees will discourage customers or if the convenience of doorstep delivery will outweigh the added costs.
Summary Table
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Platforms | Swiggy, Zomato |
| Change | Platform fee increased from ₹2–₹3 to ₹5–₹10 per order |
| Reason | Push for profitability, higher operational costs |
| Impact on Users | Extra burden on frequent orders; higher overall spending |
| Festive Season Effect | May reduce order frequency; consumers exploring alternatives |
| Industry Outlook | Higher revenue for platforms but risk of customer churn |
