Host Mode in Zomato

The idea for this feature came when a LinkedIn user recently suggested that Zomato should have a “Mehmaan Mode” that makes prices disappear so that the phone can be passed around by the host without awkwardness, allowing guests to order at ease. This suggestion caught the attention of Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal, who promised to roll out the feature soon.

As promised, Zomato is rolling out a ‘Host Mode’ in India on the platform. The utility allows hosts to pass their device to guests so that they can browse restaurant menus and select dishes without viewing item prices, reserving the final bill review and payment step exclusively for the host.

By concealing monetary figures throughout the selection stage, the feature seeks to eliminate cost-related hesitation when one individual is paying.

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How does the Host Mode work?

• Enable the Host Mode feature via a “Host Mode” chip present on the home screen header, directly on a restaurant’s menu page, or under Profile > Your Preferences.
• The user confirms the selection by tapping “Switch on Host Mode.”
• Item prices, total tallies, and bill estimates are removed from restaurant listings, dish descriptions, and the shopping cart. A prompt confirms: “All prices are hidden in Host Mode.”
• Guests can pass the phone around to browse and add items to the shared cart without price visibility.
• To finalise the order, the host selects “Exit host mode to review bill.” The app will require device authentication (like fingerprint scanning or facial recognition) to reveal the full itemised pricing, applied discounts, delivery fees and final payable amount before the order is placed.

If the ‘Host Mode’ feature is not visible to you, try updating the Zomato app.

The post Zomato rolls out a new feature, Host Mode, in India appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

Learn more about it below.

Flipkart to Enter India’s Online Food Delivery Business

As per the details shared in the Moneycontrol report, Flipkart Group CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy has confirmed that the company will be launching its food delivery service within the next few weeks. With this, Swiggy and Eternal-owned Zomato could soon be getting a new competitor in India’s online food delivery market.

Krishnamurthy pointed out that Flipkart will initially launch the service on a limited scale, test its value proposition among customers, collect feedback, and continue improving the product. After the company believes that the service offers the desired customer experience, it will gradually be expanded across India.

While certain earlier reports had suggested Bengaluru to be the possible pilot city, the Flipkart Group CEO did not reveal the city in which the food delivery service will initially be introduced. The official branding of the upcoming service also remains under wraps.

Speaking about its availability, the food delivery service will be offered through a separate application as well as within the existing Flipkart app. This will give users the choice of placing their food orders using either of the two platforms.

Looking into Flipkart’s existing delivery infrastructure, the company already operates its Flipkart Minutes quick-commerce service, which delivers groceries and other daily essentials within minutes. Therefore, Flipkart already has an established logistics network and wider customer base, which could probably help the company scale its upcoming food delivery service.

The report further points out that Flipkart is expected to roll out the service through an integration with the government-backed Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). However, the exact structure of this integration or the operating model which Flipkart will be following has not yet been revealed.

What Does This Mean for Customers?

Whenever a new player enters a competitive market, promotional discounts and other introductory offers are generally made available to attract customers. We previously witnessed a similar strategy when Zepto expanded its quick-commerce service by providing promotional cash and discount offers.

Therefore, Flipkart’s entry into the food delivery segment could probably bring more promotional offers, competitive pricing, improved services, and wider restaurant choices for customers. Krishnamurthy has also pointed out that the company’s value proposition will focus not only on pricing, but also on selection, service, reliability, and the overall customer experience.

As the food delivery service will be introduced through a phased rollout, it may take some time before it becomes available across India. Probably, more details regarding its branding, initial launch cities, restaurant catalogue, and promotional offers could soon be revealed. Stay tuned for more updates!

The post Walmart-Owned Flipkart to Enter India’s Online Food Delivery Market in Coming Weeks; Will Take on Zomato and Swiggy appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

The gesture comes as Swiggy prepares for its listing on Indian stock exchanges, joining Zomato in the public market. Zomato, which went public in 2021, has used social media to acknowledge this significant milestone for its competitor in the food delivery space.

You and I… In this beautiful world ❤️ @Swiggy pic.twitter.com/sAFzd8z07E

— zomato (@zomato) November 13, 2024

The friendly social media exchange has caught attention in business circles, highlighting a notable moment in India’s food delivery sector where both major players will now be publicly traded.

Note: Market debut scheduled for 10 AM IST.

The post Zomato’s Playful Tweet Welcomes Rival Swiggy Ahead of Stock Market Debut appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

We don't encourage order cancellation at Zomato, because it leads to a tremendous amount of food wastage.

Inspite of stringent policies, and and a no-refund policy for cancellations, more than 4 lakh perfectly good orders get canceled on Zomato, for various reasons by customers.… pic.twitter.com/fGFQQNgzGJ

— Deepinder Goyal (@deepigoyal) November 10, 2024

This feature is introduced as an effort to reduce food wastage, this is because as per the above post in spite of no refund policy, more than 4 lakh perfectly good orders get canceled at Zomato for various reasons by customers and the top concern is somehow to save food from going to waste.

Food Rescue feature will show canceled orders to nearby customers, who can grab them at an unbeatable price, in their original untampered packaging, and receive them in just minutes. To ensure freshness will only be available for a few minutes, items such as ice creams, shakes, smoothies, and certain perishable goods will not be eligible for Food Rescue.

As per the official blog by Zomato, the canceled order will pop up on the app for customers within a 3 km radius of the delivery partner carrying the order. Also, the original customer and those in their immediate vicinity will not receive the option to claim the order. While customers who prefer vegetarian food will not see non-veg orders.

The amount paid by the new customer will be shared by the new customer will be shared with the original customer (if they made an online payment) and with the restaurant partner. The company has also clarified that Zomato will not keep any proceeds (except the required government taxes).

Delivery partners will also be compensated fully for the entire trip from the initial pick up to the final drop off at the new customer’s location. Meanwhile, restaurant partners will continue to receive compensation for the original canceled order, plus a portion of the amount paid by the new customer if the order is claimed. Restaurant partners can also opt out via their Restaurant Partner app and dashboard if they don’t wish to participate.

The post Zomato Introduces Food Rescue Feature In Order To Reduce Food Wastage: Get Cancelled Orders At Discounted Rates appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

In the year 2023, Zomato introduced the platform fee which started with Rs.2 per order and then it was increased gradually. When I placed an order on Zomato I saw the increased platform fee in the bill and when I clicked on it a notification popped up.

As you can see it is said that to maintain services during the festive rush, the fee has been increased slightly. This fee will help the company to pay their bills and keep Zomato running. Platform fees are the additional charges applied to each food order, separate from Restaurant charges, delivery fees, and ST.

This price hike was announced just after a day, Zomato reported its July to September 2024 quarterly results in which the company earned a net profit of Rs.176 crore. It is said that Zomato delivers Over 20 lakh orders daily and this hiked platform fee is sure to earn more profits for the company this festive season.

Let’s see if the company decreases the platform fee after the festive season or if it remains the same.

The post Zomato Platform Fee On Food Delivery Hiked To Rs.10 appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

ZFE allows employees to bill business orders directly to their employers, removing the need for out-of-pocket payments. The platform enables companies to manage food expenses by adding employees, setting budgets, and defining ordering rules.

Excited to introduce Zomato for Enterprise (ZFE), a platform designed for companies to solve food expense management.

A lot of Zomato orders placed by corporate employees are business-related and need to be reimbursed by the company. The reimbursement process is cumbersome and… pic.twitter.com/6WU8gt9fVH

— Deepinder Goyal (@deepigoyal) August 28, 2024

Over 100 companies have already started using ZFE, and their feedback has helped shape the platform. Zomato is inviting corporate leaders to consider using ZFE in their organisations. To get started, companies can contact Zomato at enterprise@zomato.com.

This launch follows the introduction of Zomato’s order-scheduling service, which allows customers to schedule food orders up to two days in advance. The announcement was made by Deepinder Goyal, CEO and Founder of Zomato India.

The post Zomato Introduces Zomato for Enterprise (ZFE) for Corporate Food Expense Management appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

However, there is a catch: you must order above Rs 1,000 and can only place orders from a total of 13,000 outlets. Currently, this new feature has been rolled out for users in Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Lucknow, and Jaipur.

In his post on X (formerly Twitter), Goyal mentioned that more outlets will soon be introduced, along with an expansion to more cities. However, he did not specify when this expansion would occur.

Here is what he said: “Update: you can now schedule orders on Zomato. Plan your meals better by placing an order up to 2 days in advance, and we’ll deliver right on time. For now, scheduling is available for orders above ₹1,000, at around 13,000 outlets across Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Lucknow, and Jaipur. These restaurants historically have high quantities of dishes in stock and have shown kitchen-preparation-time consistency. More restaurants and cities are being added. We will soon extend this for all orders.”

The post Zomato Introduces Order Scheduling Feature with Limited Availability in Select Cities appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

Zomato Feeding India Concert (ZFIC) is back! Headlining this year’s event is my favourite global pop icon, @DUALIPA, an inspiration to millions worldwide!

ZFIC is our endeavour to strengthen India’s resolve to eradicate malnutrition and hunger in the country through community… pic.twitter.com/XVq0qHlEAv

— Deepinder Goyal (@deepigoyal) August 23, 2024

The venue for the concert is the MMRDA Grounds in Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex.

The CEO also announced in his post that this year’s concert will be headlined by the global iconic pop star, Dua Lipa. According to reports, the Grammy-winning pop icon’s performance is scheduled from 3 pm to 10 pm on 30 November. Regarding the upcoming concert, Dua Lipa expressed excitement to return to India to perform in the event. She stated that she loves India, its warmth, and the energy she experiences when she is in the country.

Deepinder Goyal further informed that Pre-sale tickets for the ticket will go live on the Zomato app from August 27, 2024. According to reports, HSBC cardholders can access the pre-sale from 27 August at 12 PM, while general sales will commence on 29 August 2024.

Through ZFIC, Zomato aims to strengthen India’s resolve to eradicate malnutrition and hunger in the nation through community mobilisation. The CEO shared his excitement through the X post and expressed that he is excited as this is just the beginning.

Along with Dua Lipa, some other artists that will be part of the concert’s lineup include Jonita and Talwinder.

The post Zomato Feeding India Concert Set for November 30, 2024, in Mumbai, Featuring Grammy-Winning Pop Icon Dua Lipa appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

“This deal, valued at ₹2,048 crore on a cash-free, debt-free basis, stands as a testament to the value Paytm has created through its entertainment ticketing business, bringing choice and convenience to millions of Indians with its services and scale,” it added.

“ OCL will transfer its entertainment ticketing business to Zomato by transferring the ticketing business to its 100 percent subsidiaries, Orbgen Technologies Pvt Ltd (OTPL) and Wasteland Entertainment Pvt Ltd (WEPL), and selling 100 percent stake in OTPL and WEPL, which operate the TicketNew and Insider platforms, respectively, to Zomato,” it added.

The ticketing and entertainment options on Paytm will be there until the next 12 months though users will be asked to switch to Zomato’s upcoming app for the “going out” segment. It will also incentivize customers to move to the new app called “District”.

The post Zomato To Acquire Paytm’s Ticketing And Entertainment Ticketing Business appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

Coming soon. pic.twitter.com/BLRn4AiWza

— Deepinder Goyal (@deepigoyal) July 31, 2024

In the above post, “District by Zomato” can be seen on a purple background while the CEO has mentioned ‘Coming Soon’ as the caption. Well, the details regarding this new venture are not revealed yet, leading to various rumors and speculations from the users.

In this particular post only, many users have posted about what according to them this District by Zomato could be about. One user has mentioned that the initiative might focus on offering regional delicacies across India, another user has mentioned that it could be related to delivering food that is famous in particular districts. It is also said that this new venture could be a new offline food destination with food trucks lined up making a good eating place.

The comments also include speculations such as it might be related to the food items of food trucks or food delivery in the district region. Well, there is no end to these assumptions, hence we do need to wait for the official announcement to know exactly what this “District By Zomato” is all about and when it will be arriving in the country.

The post “District By Zomato” Coming Soon In India appeared first on The Tech Outlook.