Zomato witnesses remarkable resurgence, hits 52-week high at INR 84.50

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July 13, 2023

Zomato’s shares have undergone a remarkable resurgence in recent weeks, reaching a new peak of INR 84.50 during intraday trading on Thursday (July 13), marking a 52-week high for the stock.

The current share price is 6% higher than Wednesday’s closing price of INR 77.50. The surge in intraday share price can be attributed to a significant increase of 1.74 times in share trading volume on Thursday.

To provide some context, Zomato’s share price has experienced a growth of 10.4% in the last five days. Moreover, the stock has witnessed a remarkable increase of 54% since the beginning of 2023.

A contributing factor to the recent resurgence of Zomato is the optimistic outlook from brokerages, who believe the company will capitalize on its market share in the upcoming quarters and achieve profitability. Kotak Institutional Equities, for example, indicated that Zomato currently holds a GMV market share of 55%, surpassing its competitor Swiggy’s share of 45%. This reflects Zomato’s strong execution and ability to retain customers, even as discounts are reduced on the platform. Kotak has maintained its ‘Buy’ rating on Zomato, with a price target of INR 95.

Likewise, Citi has observed that Zomato is ahead in terms of profitability compared to Swiggy. Citi has reaffirmed its ‘Buy’ recommendation on Zomato, setting a price target of INR 84 per share.

In a report earlier in June, JM Financial described Zomato and Swiggy as “indispensable” to the restaurant industry, making reference to the Online Food Delivery Network Companies (ONDC). The report highlighted that food delivery aggregators account for approximately one-third of the revenue generated by restaurants in India. JM Financial expressed the view that with no significant competition on the horizon, both Zomato and Swiggy are becoming essential components of the ecosystem.

Recently, Christopher Wood, the global head of equity strategy at the brokerage firm Jefferies, made headlines as he increased his investment in Zomato by another percentage point.

Despite the food delivery market being dominated by just two major players, they have faced challenges in achieving strong unit economics in the past. This struggle can be attributed to their heavy reliance on discounts and high delivery costs. However, in recent months, both Zomato and Swiggy have implemented various strategies to address this issue. For instance, Swiggy introduced a fixed platform fee of INR 2 per order, while Zomato relaunched its Zomato Gold loyalty program. These initiatives aim to enhance the companies’ unit economics and create a more sustainable business model.

In May, Swiggy, a direct competitor of Zomato, made a noteworthy announcement stating that its food delivery business had achieved profitability. This achievement took into account the majority of operational costs associated with the business.

In addition to Zomato, Paytm, a prominent fintech giant, has experienced a significant rally in recent months. After a challenging performance in 2022 in the stock market, the company made a strong comeback in 2023. Presently, Paytm’s shares are being traded at INR 857.91 per share, nearing its 52-week high of INR 915.

ZappFresh bolsters growth strategy with acquisition of Dr. Meat, sets sights on Bengaluru market

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July 13, 2023

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ZappFresh, a direct-to-consumer (D2C) meat delivery startup, has successfully completed the acquisition of Dr. Meat, a renowned brand owned by Sukos Foods. This strategic move represents a significant milestone for ZappFresh as it sets its sights on expanding into the lucrative south Indian market.

Founded in 2015 by Deepanshu Manchanda and Shruti Gochhwal, ZappFresh is a company based in Gurugram. Initially, ZappFresh specialized in delivering meat exclusively within the Delhi-NCR region.

Through this acquisition, the startup’s primary objective is to expand its presence into the Bengaluru market and other new markets within the coming year. Under the terms of the agreement, ZappFresh will utilize Dr. Meat’s established supply chain to cater to the targeted regions.

ZappFresh has set a goal to achieve a revenue of INR 70 crore within a span of 12 months, focusing exclusively on the Bengaluru market. Additionally, the company aims to attain an overall revenue of INR 300 crore by the conclusion of the fiscal year 2023-2024.

The startup’s primary objective is to gain significant traction in the Bengaluru market over the next six months by expanding its presence into new pin codes. By doing so, ZappFresh aspires to solidify its position within the region.

Commenting on the acquisition, Manchanda said, “We have actively sought opportunities for strategic partnerships and acquisitions in recent years. However, Dr. Meat stood out among other D2C contenders due to its strong alignment with ZappFresh’s fundamental principles.”

According to his assertion, the business has consistently generated profits over the past four years and is poised to achieve the desired revenue milestone within a year.

ZappFresh intends to take proactive measures in pursuing new growth opportunities, considering this acquisition as merely the beginning. The company foresees that its expansion plans will be augmented by additional acquisitions, with ongoing discussions underway. ZappFresh aims to capitalize on the supply chain it has meticulously developed from scratch.

Being a direct-to-consumer (D2C) startup, ZappFresh asserts that it has gained substantial backing from prominent investors such as SIDBI VC, Dabur Family Office, LetsVenture, Keiretsu Forum, and a host of well-known angel investors.

The direct-to-consumer (D2C) meat and grocery delivery sector gained rapid prominence during the pandemic-induced lockdowns, swiftly transforming into a highly competitive market.

Within this industry, ZappFresh faces competition from established unicorn player Licious, as well as other notable contenders such as Swiggy Instamart, BigBasket, Blinkit, TenderCuts, and more.

Swiggy acquires LYNK Logistics to tap into lucrative food and grocery retail market

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July 13, 2023

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Swiggy, a leading foodtech company valued at over $10 billion, has made a significant move into the food and grocery retail sector by acquiring LYNK Logistics Ltd, an FMCG retail distribution company. This strategic acquisition allows Swiggy to expand its presence and enter the lucrative food and grocery retail market.

Following the acquisition, LYNK Logistics Ltd will maintain its autonomy as an independent business, with Shekhar Bhende, the Co-Founder and chief executive officer, at the helm. The leadership and operations of LYNK will remain unchanged, ensuring a seamless transition and continuity in the company’s direction under Bhende’s guidance.

“With this acquisition, Swiggy enters India’s food and grocery retail market, which is amongst the world’s largest and fastest growing, estimated to be more than $570 Bn in size and expected to grow at 8% year-on-year,” the company said in a statement.

Founded by Abinav Raja and Shekhar Bhende in 2015, LYNK provides a platform for leading FMCG brands to enhance their retail reach. With a vast network of over 100,000 retail stores spread across the top eight cities of India, LYNK offers valuable opportunities for these brands to expand their presence in the market.

LYNK utilizes its exclusive and comprehensive technology platform to drive the retail distribution value chain, encompassing warehousing, inventory management, and logistics operations. Its esteemed clientele comprises prominent companies such as Hindustan Unilever, ITC, Tata, Lakme, PepsiCo, Britannia, and many more.

“LYNK is uniquely positioned in the retail distribution space with their brand-first, tech-led operating model and has demonstrated success with multiple FMCG brands. Our experience in supply chain and logistics gives Swiggy the unique opportunity to help LYNK scale up their offerings and empower retailers to serve their customers better, ” Sriharsha Majety, CEO of Swiggy, said.

In a meeting held on July 12, the acquisition procedure of LYNK was approved by Ramco Cements, providing their support to the company.

Recently, both Swiggy and Zomato have been displaying a proactive approach towards acquiring and investing in smaller startups. As an illustration, Swiggy made a noteworthy move in May of the previous year by acquiring Dineout from its previous owner, Times Internet, in a deal worth $200 million. Following this acquisition, the founder of Dineout joined Swiggy and assumed leadership over Dineout’s operations as an independent entity.

As of July 2022, Swiggy has invested approximately $250 million in merger and acquisition deals. The prominent player in the foodtech industry has been actively pursuing inorganic growth strategies, aiming to enhance its technological infrastructure and strengthen its delivery capabilities through various strategic partnerships and acquisitions.

Zomato temporarily halts registration of new users for Zomato UPI, plans to resume soon

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July 13, 2023

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According to reports, Zomato, the foodtech startup, has temporarily halted the registration of new users for its UPI payments platform, Zomato UPI.

As per sources mentioned in an ET report, the ability to sign up for Zomato UPI has been deactivated for the past few weeks. Presently, users who haven’t registered for it prior to the temporary suspension will not see the UPI option in the Zomato app.

Zomato has collaborated with ICICI Bank to provide UPI payment services, as confirmed by the foodtech company. However, Zomato clarified that the UPI feature is currently only accessible to existing users who had already availed of it. The temporary pause in onboarding new users for the UPI service is attributed to Zomato’s intention to incorporate feedback received regarding the onboarding process, as stated by a spokesperson from the company.

“We will start enrolling new users by the end of the month,” the Zomato spokesperson added.

Zomato UPI was introduced in May as a peer-to-peer (P2P) and merchant transaction service, enabling users on Zomato’s platforms to make payments seamlessly without the necessity of switching to other apps.

In addition to facilitating online payments for food and grocery orders on Zomato and Blinkit, these foodtech platforms also provide customers with the choice to pay at select restaurants listed on Zomato. This payment flexibility is made possible through multiple options, including cards, net banking, and UPI, all accessible through Zomato Pay.

In August 2021, the foodtech platform introduced Zomato Payments, an initiative aimed at providing digital payment solutions including wallets and payment gateway services. Moreover, Zomato offers users the ability to purchase and send gift cards through its app. In the year 2022 alone, Zomato witnessed a significant increase in its customer base for food orders, with 58 million annual transacting customers compared to 49.5 million in 2021.

The foodtech giant is exploring ways to capitalize on the significant volume of traffic flowing through its platforms to stimulate a substantial increase in online payments. In the year 2022, Zomato boasted an impressive count of 58 million annual transacting users and successfully handled a gross merchandise value (GMV) surpassing $2.8 billion in the fiscal year 2022.

In response to the growing trend of tech startups venturing into the UPI (Unified Payments Interface) arena, several prominent foodtech companies have also joined the race. This development is exemplified by the efforts of various players in the industry, such as the renowned ecommerce giant Flipkart.

Zomato’s decision to introduce its own UPI service coincided with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) actively seeking to expand the participant base within the ecosystem. Currently, the UPI landscape remains predominantly controlled by three major players, namely PhonePe, Google Pay, and Paytm, collectively responsible for over 95% of the regular UPI transactions.

Zomato’s remarkable comeback in the stock market continues, as its shares surged by 6% during intraday trading on Thursday (July 13). The stock reached a new 52-week high of INR 84.50 per share, showcasing the company’s impressive performance.

Indian whisky market sees growing demand for imported scotch, affecting domestic brands

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July 13, 2023

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Indian whisky enthusiasts are showing a growing preference for imported bottled-in-origin Scotch whiskies, such as Johnnie Walker and Glenlivet, over premium Indian-made brands. This shift in consumer behavior can be attributed to changes in excise policies, which have significantly reduced the price tags of imported brands by up to 30% in certain key markets.

According to industry insiders, this trend has resulted in a deceleration in the growth of premium Indian whisky brands like Paul John Bold and Amrut Fusion, as well as bottled-in-India (BII) brands such as Black & White and 100 Pipers.

Reduced excise duty on bottled in origin (BIO) imported alcobev products has created “an unequal and unfair playing field that’s impacting the Indian premium liquor segment adversely”, said Vijay Kauthekar, national head of sales at John Distilleries Ltd, maker of Paul John single malt whisky and Original Choice whisky.

“In addition, the ease of doing business for BIO brands is more favourable than for Indian made premium brands in terms of brand or label registration, excise duty, etc.,” he said.

According to the latest import data, the country witnessed a remarkable surge in BIO whisky shipments, with a notable year-on-year increase of 108% during the 2022-23 period. This growth in BIO whisky imports surpassed the rise observed in bulk whisky imports, which recorded a 42% upturn.

Quoting data from the renowned global alcohol market research firm IWSR, the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) reported that the sales of BIO whisky experienced an impressive growth rate of 113% between 2020 and 2022. In comparison, during the same period, the sales of Indian premium whisky witnessed a rise of 54%.

This trend is mainly attributed to alterations in excise policies within markets like Maharashtra and Delhi, according to industry insiders.

In November 2021, Maharashtra reduced the excise duty on imported BIO Scotch by 50% from 300% to 150%, whereas the duty for Indian products remained at 300%. Similarly, during the period from November 2021 to August 2022, Delhi’s excise policy permitted discounts of up to 50% on the prices of BIO Scotch.

This resulted in a big price disadvantage for premium Indian brands, said Vinod Giri, director general at CIABC. “Indian single malt whiskies, which earlier were 8-10% below competing imported products, became 35-40% more expensive,” he said.

These two states together account for two thirds of the Scotch whisky sold in India.

Erratic rainfall causes 20% surge in rice prices within 10 days

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July 13, 2023

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Industry executives report that the recent unequal distribution of rainfall in the primary rice cultivation regions has resulted in a notable surge in grain prices, with an increase of up to 20% within the past 10 days.

Suraj Agarwal, the Chief Executive of RiceVilla, a rice marketing and exporting company, said that heavy rainfall in northern India has increased the price of the new basmati rice by 9% in the last one week, while scanty rains in Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh have pushed up the prices of the common variety of rice -IR 64, which is distributed through public distribution system – by 20%. “This is partly because of the higher minimum support price and also due to lesser rain,” said Agarwal. “Traders are holding back the stock.”

The fluctuating rainfall patterns are impacting crops such as moong, urad, and soya bean. As of July 10, the cultivation of pulses and soya bean has declined by over 10% compared to the previous year, while rice cultivation is lagging behind by more than 13%.

Alok Ranjan Ghosh, Director of agriculture of Bihar, said “paddy nursery coverage now stands at 96.6% and the paddy coverage is at 17.7%”.

As per Ghosh’s observations, only a single district has experienced above-average rainfall, while 10 districts have received normal precipitation. Twenty-two districts have faced a deficit in rainfall so far, and five districts have received insufficient rain.

“We are expecting good rainfall in the next three days which may give a boost to the paddy crop,” said Ghosh.

Bihar’s annual rice production stands at 77.17 lakh tonnes. In India, the price surge of rice is four times higher than the international rate, which has increased by 5% over the past two weeks.

Sting sets new record as PepsiCo’s fastest-growing brand, outpacing traditional soft drinks

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July 13, 2023

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Sting energy drink (Representative Image)

According to executives, Sting, the energy drink from beverage maker PepsiCo, has become the company’s fastest-growing brand, surpassing other long-standing brands like Pepsi cola and Mountain Dew.

George Kovoor, senior VP-beverages at PepsiCo India, said, “Sting’s growth trajectory is steeper and stronger than any other soft drink brand launched in India in the soft drink industry over the past three decades.”

According to analysts, the sales of energy drinks do not experience the same seasonal spikes as carbonated soft drinks. For instance, Sting’s contribution during the December 2022 quarter exceeded its sales for the entire year, indicating sustained growth throughout the year rather than relying on specific seasons.

Due to unseasonal rains in the peak summer quarter of April-June, the growth of aerated soft drinks has actually declined by more than 20% this year.

Motilal Oswal Financial Services said in a company update on Tuesday, “Unseasonal rainfall coupled with lower temperature can lead to muted volume growth in the June quarter. However, realisations are expected to increase, on the back of a growing mix of energy drinks, fruit-based juices, and value-added dairy products”.

UK dairy sector welcomes new regulations for fairness and transparency

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July 13, 2023

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milk supply — Milk (Representative Image)

Industry bodies have expressed their appreciation for the introduction of new regulations aimed at fostering fairness and transparency within the UK dairy sector.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has formulated fresh guidelines enabling farmers to contest the pricing of their produce by supermarkets and other buyers, while also streamlining the process of raising concerns regarding supply contracts.

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) said the regulations, set to come into force later this year, “mark a significant step forward”.

For quite some time, dairy farmers have voiced their grievances about the lack of equitable treatment they receive from supermarkets, particularly concerning the pricing of liquid milk.

The government’s recently introduced regulations, announced on July 12th and inspired by the Farm to Food Summit conducted in May, aim to foster stability and accountability within the dairy supply chain. These regulations empower farmers by granting them the ability to contest pricing, prevent unilateral contract modifications, and ensure their concerns are heard. The ultimate goal is to establish a more equitable and transparent system for all stakeholders involved in dairy production.

The new rules follow the discussion with industry players, including the NFU and Dairy UK, and the government said it “has listened to feedback from farmers and processors to ensure the new regulations address previous concerns and provide tailored support for those in the industry”.

Farming minister Mark Spencer said, “Farmers must be paid a fair price for their produce and these regulations will provide price certainty and stability for farmers by establishing written milk purchase agreements with clear and unambiguous terms.

“This represents a key milestone in our commitment to promote fairness and transparency across food supply chains to support farmers and build a stronger future for the industry, and will be followed by reviews into the egg and horticulture sector supply chains this autumn.”

In addition, the government is actively working on developing regulations that seek to enhance relationships within the UK pig supply chain.

The introduction of dairy regulations will provide farmers with greater clarity regarding pricing terms. Contracts will explicitly outline the factors that contribute to the milk price, enabling farmers to challenge prices if they perceive a deviation from the prescribed process. This ensures a more transparent and accountable system for determining milk prices.

It will no longer be possible for buyers to impose changes to contracts without agreement.

Farmers’ contracts will also include “clear rules” on notice periods and contractual exclusivity.

An enforcement mechanism will be created to guarantee the regulations are followed.

NFU dairy board chair Michael Oakes said, “These new regulations mark a significant step forward in the government’s efforts to increase fairness and transparency in the dairy supply chain.

“For a long time, unfair milk contracts have held British dairy businesses back, and these changes will give dairy farmers much-needed business security and confidence, as well as helping to share risk along the dairy supply chain.”

A Dairy UK spokesperson said, “Dairy UK has always believed that this regulation should strike the right balance between greater transparency and maintaining the flexibility the industry needs to compete in a volatile and increasingly competitive marketplace.

“We’ve appreciated the engagement provided by Defra during the development of the regulation. We look forward to seeing the final SI [statutory instrument] and to continuing to work with Defra on the implementation of the regulation.”

PVR Inox introduces new pricing offers for food and beverages, reducing costs by up to 40%

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July 13, 2023

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On Wednesday, PVR Inox unveiled its latest pricing offers for food and beverages, targeting both weekdays and weekends. The company confidently stated that these new offers would significantly reduce customers’ expenditures on F&B by up to 40 percent.

This decision comes at a moment when there has been extensive discussion regarding the high-priced food choices available at cinemas, with numerous individuals expressing their dissatisfaction on social media platforms. The prominent multiplex chain has been attentive to the voices of consumers and has taken this action to tackle several concerns raised by movie enthusiasts.

According to the multiplex chain, customers will now have the opportunity to buy a variety of food items, including hotdogs, burgers, popcorn, sandwiches, and beverages, with enticing combo deals starting at a mere INR 99. These affordable options will be available from Mondays to Thursdays, specifically between 9 AM and 6 PM. Additionally, on weekends, moviegoers will have access to Bottomless Popcorn, allowing for unlimited tub refills, as well as attractively priced Family Meal Combos, reducing food and beverage expenses by up to 40 percent.

For us, opinions of all our valued patrons matter the most. Here's a happy update for all movie lovers in India #PVRHeardYou https://t.co/xUIGVqbfTA pic.twitter.com/0m8cNYYqOg
— PVR INOX Ltd (@INOXMovies) July 12, 2023

“Resonating with patrons is the key to successfully running a cinema chain. All our efforts are directed towards catering to audiences as we wish to provide them with an unparalleled cinematic experience when they visit our premises. We have been actively listening to consumers’ thoughts on our F&B pricing strategy and have therefore curated cost-effective F&B deals that will appeal to moviegoers and also address their concerns.” said Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, Executive Director, PVR INOX Ltd in a statement.

He further added, “Our merger, which placed us amongst the top cinema chains in the world, now offers us a larger canvas, allowing us to cater to a wider segment of the audiences and curate the best offerings for them. We are certain that our reformed packages will appeal to the smaller group sizes visiting cinemas on weekdays, and the larger groups, including families, who prefer watching films on weekends, ensuring their needs are met.”

Tim Hortons celebrates grand opening of 700th store in China, expanding into Northwest region

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July 13, 2023

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TH International Limited, the sole operator of Tim Hortons coffee shops and Popeyes restaurants in China, recently achieved a significant milestone by inaugurating its 700th coffee shop. This expansion also includes venturing into China’s Northwest region, aligning with the company’s overarching strategy for expansion and growth.

Tims’ ongoing geographical expansion across China is led by its 700th store, which marks a significant milestone as the first one to open in the northwest city of Yinchuan.

“Our development team did an amazing job with our 700th store in Yinchuan. We designed this location to capture the unique culture and contrasts of this special part of China, and we hope both local guests and tourists feel that when they visit us. We look forward to opening more stores in the region as we continue to expand,” shared Yongchen Lu, CEO of Tims China.

As part of Tims China’s disciplined growth strategy, the Yinchuan store is among the many franchised stores being opened in June and July. This expansion plan aims to extend Tims’ geographic reach to surpass 1,000 locations by the end of 2023. By utilizing franchising, Tims can establish stores in desirable locations, collaborate with excellent local partners, and achieve greater capital efficiency.

To fuel its growth, Tims intends to open additional stores in other cities with untapped potential in the coming months. This strategy is reinforced by the impressive monthly same-store sales growth of over 16% recorded from February to May of the current year.

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