NRAI set to approach CCI over Zomato and
Swiggy's 10-minute delivery apps
The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI)
is likely to approach the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to address
concerns regarding Zomato and Swiggy's recent launch of standalone apps for
10-minute food delivery, according to a report by The Economic Times.
The NRAI is already pursuing a case with the antitrust
regulator against both companies, accusing them of engaging in anti-competitive
practices.
Zomato's Blinkit and Swiggy recently introduced
standalone apps, Bistro and Snacc, respectively. The NRAI alleges that this
represents the operation of private labels by the companies, raising issues for
restaurant partners, the news report said.
The report quoted NRAI President and Wow Momo
Co-Founder and CEO Sagar Daryani as saying that the association strongly
opposes Zomato and Swiggy engaging in private labelling and selling food
directly through Blinkit's Bistro app and Swiggy's Snacc app for quick food
delivery.
Daryani further said that he suspects that they are
redirecting his customers to their private-label products, whether its tea,
biryani, or momo. The NRAI is seriously considering legal action , he said.
In addition to Bistro and Snacc, which procure food
and beverages from third-party vendors and deliver them through quick-commerce
dark stores, both Zomato and Swiggy also offer 15-minute food delivery services
by aggregating restaurants.
Swiggy's restaurant-based quick food delivery, run
under its Bolt model, reportedly contributes over 5 per cent of its total food
delivery orders.
The report further quoted Daryani as saying that the
NRAI opposes aggregators competing directly with restaurants.
Swiggy launched a new app called Snacc, designed to
deliver snacks, drinks, and meals within 15 minutes. This launch comes amid a
growing competition among Indian food delivery platforms to offer ultra-fast
delivery services.
Zomato's quick-commerce subsidiary Blinkit too
recently introduced "Bistro", a platform that promises delivery of
snacks, meals, and beverages within 10 minutes.
In addition, Zomato has rolled out its own 15-minute
food delivery service in select cities. A dedicated "15-minute
delivery" tab is now visible on Zomato's explore page. The service focuses
on quick-to-prepare, ready-to-eat meals sourced from select restaurants within
a two-kilometer radius.
www.business-standard.com,
dt. 10-01-2025