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Raymond Lifestyle sees 69.72% drop in Q2 FY25 net profit due to inflation

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Raymond Lifestyle sees 69.72% drop in Q2 FY25 net profit due to inflation

Raymond Lifestyle registered a 69.72% drop in consolidated net profit to INR 42.18 crore for the second quarter ending September 2024, due to weak demand and high inflation.

Raymond’s revenue from operations drops to INR 1,708.26 cr

According to ET Retail, Raymond Lifestyle, a Raymond Group firm, reported a net profit of INR 139.33 crore for the July-September quarter last year. This year, its revenue from operations dropped 5.27% to INR 1,708.26 crore in the September quarter, compared to INR 1,803.38 crore in the same period last year.

Continue Exploring: D2C brand Bummer introduces vending machines for innerwear

Meanwhile, the total expenses for the Singhania family-promoted firm decreased by 1.38% to INR 1,622.95 crore in Q2 FY’25. Raymond Lifestyle’s total income, including other income, was INR 1,735.21 crore, down 6.16%. “Raymond Lifestyle Ltd had a stable quarterly performance amidst subdued demand, weaker consumer sentiment and higher inflationary pressures,” stated Managing Director Sunil Kataria to ET retail.

In mid of the quarter, Raymond Lifestyle’s Textile segment revenue fell by 8.48% to INR 853.52 crore. The company attributed this decline to lower customer demand and the ‘Shraadh’ period in September. However, its ‘Shirting’ fabric segment, which caters to businesses, saw an 8.31% increase in revenue, reaching INR 228.35 crore.

Raymond Lifestyle to expand up to 1592 stores during quarter

Additionally, the apparel segment saw a slight increase of about 1% to INR 441.02 crore in the September quarter. This segment, which includes branded readymade garments, grew due to new store openings, despite weak consumer demand and tough market conditions. Meanwhile, revenue from ‘Garmenting’ dropped 9.28% to INR 259.60 crore. The garment manufacturing business in Q2 FY25 was “impacted by certain delays in shipment dispatches due to logistic challenges,” the company said.

Continue Exploring: Reliance Retail partners with Californian brand YTTP to introduce vegan skincare items

Looking ahead, Raymond Lifestyle continued to expand its retail presence during the quarter, running 1,592 stores, including 129 Ethnix by Raymond outlets.

“Recent buoyancy has been witnessed at the start of a festive & wedding season. Going forward, we are strategically positioned to capture demand through our retail expansion plans, new product launches and marketing campaigns,” said Kataria. This is the company’s first quarter result since it demerged from Raymond Ltd and listed on the stock exchanges on September 5 this year.

Notably the brands include Park Avenue, ColorPlus, Parx, Raymond Made to Measure, Raymond Ready to Wear, Sleepz by Raymond, and Ethnix by Raymond.

On Wednesday morning, its shares were trading at INR 2,030 each on the BSE, down 7.67% from the previous close.

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Brigade Hotel ltd seeks to raise INR 900 Cr via IPO, files DRHP to SEBI

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Brigade Hotel ltd seeks to raise INR 900 Cr via IPO, files DRHP to SEBI

Brigade Hotel Ventures Limited, a major private hotel asset owner in South India, has submitted its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for its IPO. This IPO aims to raise up to INR 900 crore by issuing new equity shares valued at INR 10 each.

Brigade Hotel owns 500 rooms nationwide

As of June 30, 2024, the company is the second-largest private owner of chain-affiliated hotels and rooms in South India, for owners with portfolios of 500 or more rooms across India. Their properties are mainly in South Indian states like Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Telangana, as well as in the Union territories of Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Pondicherry.

Continue Exploring: D2C brand Bummer introduces vending machines for innerwear

Notably, Brigade Hotel Ventures Limited is a fully-owned subsidiary of Brigade Enterprises Limited (BEL), a big Indian real estate developer that started in hospitality in 2004. BEL opened its first property, Grand Mercure Bangalore, in 2009. Now, Brigade Hotel Ventures runs nine hotels in Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Mysuru, and GIFT City (Gujarat), with a total of 1,604 rooms.

Brigade Hotel partners with Marriott and others for expansion

Furthermore, the company’s hotels are partnered with well-known brands like Marriott, Accor, and InterContinental Hotels Group, offering upscale to midscale options. These hotels feature dining options, MICE venues, lounges, pools, outdoor spaces, spas, and gyms. They are located in busy and important commercial areas.

Meanwhile, JM Financial Limited and ICICI Securities Limited are the main managers for the IPO.

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TreeHouse Hotels introduces hi-way MOTELS, eyes growth

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TreeHouse Hotels introduces hi-way MOTELS, eyes growth

TreeHouse Hotels & Resorts, part of Karma Hospitality LLP, has introduced hi-way MOTELS. This new addition expands their brand portfolio, which already includes The Luxury Villa Collection, TreeHouse Exotic, TreeHouse, and Nest by TreeHouse.

Hi-way MOTELS at expressways, major city bypasses

This new brand aims to meet the growing need for affordable lodging in India’s busy road travel market. With the second-largest road network in the world, India offers great connectivity. The expanding automotive industry provides a big chance for budget-friendly accommodation options for travellers.

Continue Exploring: Reliance Retail partners with Californian brand YTTP to introduce vegan skincare items

Notably, hi-way MOTELS will be conveniently located along highways and expressways, near smaller towns or major city bypasses. They will have comfortable rooms with premium bedding, modern bathrooms, and relaxation spaces for long drive breaks. Family rooms with bunk beds for kids and free parking for guests will also be available. These motels are designed to offer good returns for investors.

hi-way MOTELS to offer “hi-way Dhaba”

According to India Retailing, Ajay Mehtani, Partner, TreeHouse Hotels & Resorts released a statement regarding launch, saying, “TreeHouse Hotels & Resorts’ decision to enter the motel space is a strategic move that capitalises on a significant gap in the Indian hospitality sector. hi-way MOTELS by TreeHouse Hotels focuses on affordability, convenience, and modern amenities positioning it to cater to the growing demand for comfortable and budget-friendly road trip accommodations. We are currently in discussions with potential partners who have land parcels of anywhere between one to three acres near the expressways.”

Continue Exploring: Swiggy Instamart’s Karthik Gurumurthy debuts cricket activewear brand Ten X You

Furthermore, hi-way MOTELS will offer amenities for modern travellers, including EV charging stations, “hi-way Dhaba” restaurants, partnerships with retail stores, and ATMs. They will also provide paid parking, car wash services, and rental banquet spaces.

Moving forward, TreeHouse Hotels & Resorts has launched to transform road travel in India, offering comfortable and convenient accommodations tailored to modern travellers’ needs.

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Godrej refuses to cut palm oil content despite Unilever’s move

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Godrej refuses to cut palm oil content despite Unilever’s move

Godrej Consumer Products announced it will not lower soap quality by reducing palm oil, responding to Hindustan Unilever’s (HUL) move to cut palm oil content in its soaps by 25% to manage price fluctuations in commodities.

Will not compromise on the quality of our products – Godrej

In India, soap quality is often judged by the total fatty matter (TFM), which is the amount of oils and fats in the soap. Soap makers use palm oil for its fatty acids. High TFM is usually seen as better quality, but HUL says that the type of fatty matter is more important for a soap’s performance than just the TFM.

Continue Exploring: Swiggy Instamart’s Karthik Gurumurthy debuts cricket activewear brand Ten X You

According to Economic Times, Godrej stated that the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) permits reducing TFM if synthetic surfactants or fillers are added. However, while fillers might enhance some aspects, if TFM drops below 75%, the soap won’t be considered grade 1 anymore.

“In normal conditions, consumers may not notice when you reduce total fatty matter (TFM) and add structurants, but in tough situations like hard water, they do notice. For 30 years, we have known about structuring technologies, but we have avoided using them in the bathing bar category,” said Sudhir Sitapati, MD at GCPL. He added that they will not change their strategy despite high palm oil prices. “We will not compromise on the quality of our products by reducing TFM in soaps.”

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Unilever reduces 25% TFM in shop to manage prices

Previously, in July this year, HUL developed a technology called Stratos. This was also introduced in other countries by its parent company, Unilever. Since India is one of the biggest soap markets, Stratos replaced palm oil with a special mix of plant-derived polysaccharides, vitamin blends, and natural fatty acids. HUL claimed this improved the product and used 25% less palm oil than a typical grade 1 soap.

“A bathing bar reduces not just insoluble fatty matter, which is used for structuring and not for cleaning, but also good soluble fatty matter. When the total math on surfactancy is done, a bathing bar cannot technically equal a grade 1 soap in cleaning, lather and sog mush,” Sitapati commented further.

Notably, HUL leads India’s soap market with over 38% share and brands like Lux and Lifebuoy. The market is worth Rs 24,000 crore. GCPL is next with about 13% share and brands like Cinthol and Godrej No 1. HUL said using less palm oil saved a lot of money, which they can use to improve other ingredients in their products.

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D2C brand Bummer introduces vending machines for innerwear

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D2C brand Bummer introduces vending machines for innerwear

In a move to make shopping easier for its customers, Indian D2C innerwear brand Bummer has launched India’s first vending machines for innerwear. This initiative aims to make buying innerwear as easy as buying a bottle of water.

Bummer’s vending machines for effortless shopping

The brand’s new initiative aims to make it easy for shoppers to buy innerwear while on the go. The vending machines have a simple interface, allowing customers to quickly select and purchase their innerwear with just a tap. The products are packed for easy travel, so busy travellers can easily fit them into their luggage. The machines also offer UPI payment options, making transactions fast and easy.

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According to Indian Retailing, Sulay Lavsi, Founder and CEO, Bummer shared, “At Bummer, we believe shopping for innerwear should be as effortless as grabbing a bottle of water. With our vending machines, we are making quality innerwear accessible for everyone on the go. Ahmedabad is just the beginning; we are looking to expand our footprint across India, transforming how people shop for their essentials.”

Bummer’s best-selling items at vending machines

Additionally, the vending machines will feature a selection of Bummer’s best-selling items like boxers, trunks, and boyshorts. All products are made from ultra-soft, Lenzing-certified micro-modal fabric with the brand’s bold prints. These items offer a mix of luxury, comfort, and sustainability, giving customers a high-quality experience.

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Notably, the first Bummer vending machine is now at Ahmedabad Airport. Plans are in place to expand to cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore soon. This move helps Bummer increase its presence in busy travel areas and offers a unique shopping experience to travellers.

Established by Sulay Lavsi in 2020, Bummer has quickly become known for making innerwear fun and stylish. Their ultra-soft, breathable, and eco-friendly products challenge traditional innerwear norms, making people feel good inside and out.

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Reliance Retail partners with Californian brand YTTP to introduce vegan skincare items

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Reliance Retail partners with Californian brand YTTP to introduce vegan skincare items

Reliance Retail’s Tira has announced the exclusive launch of California-based skincare brand Youth To The People (YTTP) in India. As the sole distributor, Reliance Retail will bring the popular pro-grade, vegan skincare products to Indian consumers through Tira.

YTTP products to be available on Reliance retail in India

Notably, YTTP, famous for mixing powerful superfoods with scientific formulas, has gained a huge global following, especially on TikTok, where fans love its effective results. The launch of Youth To The People in India is a big step for the brand, expanding its reach to more beauty-conscious consumers.

Continue Exploring: India’s Textile Industry to see 6-8% growth in FY25 driven by US demand

This exclusive deal with Reliance Retail will bring YTTP’s unique products to Indian consumers who want vegan, cruelty-free, and effective skincare.

Meanwhile, Youth To The People is not just a skincare brand; it also focuses on social change. Through its Good To The People fund, it supports projects for climate action, gender and racial equity, and human rights. The partnership with Tira fits well with YTTP’s mission of purpose-driven business and global community-building.

YTTP’s Superfood Cleanser in India

Established by Greg Gonzalez and Joe Cloyes in 2015, Youth To The People blends skincare expertise with a focus on conscious innovation. The brand is famous for products like the Superfood Cleanser, a top choice for consumers who value ethical and science-based skincare.

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Furthermore, the launch of Youth To The People in India marks a significant step for Tira and the beauty industry, as consumers increasingly seek more from their brands. With an emphasis on superfoods, scientific formulations, and ethical practices, YTTP aims to attract a new generation of beauty enthusiasts in India, starting a new era of conscious skincare.

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Swiggy Instamart’s Karthik Gurumurthy debuts cricket activewear brand Ten X You

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Swiggy Instamart's Karthik Gurumurthy debuts cricket activewear brand Ten X You

Karthik Gurumurthy, the former architect of Swiggy Instamart, has unveiled his new venture, Ten X You, an activewear brand he founded in July. He made the announcement on LinkedIn, marking his entry into the sports and fitness industry.

Ten X You offers cricket accessories, footwear, apparel

Through this platform, Gurumurthy aims to provide a range of products, including cricket accessories, equipment, footwear, and apparel.

Continue Exploring: Swiggy secures INR 5,085 Cr before IPO, issues 13.03 Cr shares

“We want to build a large business in every sport, starting with the largest sport of our country, cricket.  We want to build something very similar to what Nike did in basketball, Li Ning did in badminton – expert in technical sport and build a great performance brand in sports,” Gurumurthy wrote in the post. 

As Gurumurthy has taken on the role of CEO at his new startup, Ten X You. It’s expected that cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar will join as cofounder and also serve as the CEO. According to the startup’s LinkedIn page, they’ve combined Tendulkar’s years of cricket experience with his passion to create high-quality products for the sport.

Peak XV Partners and Whiteboard Capital backs Ten X You

Meanwhile, the startup is backed by investors like Peak XV Partners and Whiteboard Capital. Its website isn’t live yet. This comes nearly a year after Gurumurthy left Swiggy to start his own venture. At Swiggy, he was in charge of Swiggy Mall and played a key role in creating Swiggy Instamart during his three and a half years there.

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After quitting, he initially worked on an offline retail venture called Convenio in secret. He reportedly raised $3 million from Matrix Partners India and several angel investors for this project. However, despite getting the funds in January, he decided to end the venture in March and returned the money to investors in June.

Furthermore, he has also launched SRT10 Athleisure in April, with Sachin Tendulkar among its directors, along with Anshu Prasher of Whiteboard Capital and Karan Arora, former vice-president of Swiggy Instamart. However, it remains unclear if SRT10 Athleisure serves as the parent entity of Ten X You, Gurumurthy’s activewear brand.

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India’s Textile Industry to see 6-8% growth in FY25 driven by US demand

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India's Textile Industry to see 6-8% growth in FY25 driven by US demand

India’s home textiles industry is likely to see revenue growth of 6-8% for the fiscal year, with significant expansion coming from the domestic market and resilient demand from key export destinations, particularly the US, according to a recent report released on Tuesday, November 5.

Textile industry witness 9-10% revenue growth in 2023

After seeing a 9-10% revenue growth last year, India’s home textile industry is expected to grow by 6-8% this year. This growth is driven by strong demand from the US and expansion in the domestic market, despite some ongoing logistical challenges, as per a report by Crisil Ratings.

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Due to healthy cash flow, controlled spending on expansion and upgrades, and reduced debt, India’s home textile companies are expected to maintain financial stability. The industry relies heavily on exports, which account for 70-75% of its revenue, with the US being the largest market, contributing 60% of export revenue. The remaining 25-30% comes from the domestic market, providing a stable foundation for the sector’s growth.

Home textiles exported by India to US remain steady- Crisil Ratings Senior Director 

According to India Retailing, Crisil Ratings Senior Director Mohit Makhija stated, “Three factors will drive growth of the home textiles industry this fiscal. One, resilient consumer spending and normalised inventory levels at major retailers in the US will spur exports, though container availability bears watching. Two, the industry’s continued focus on expanding domestic presence will aid growth.”

Further, he mentioned that domestic cotton prices, which are the main raw material, are expected to stay close to international prices, keeping Indian companies competitive. “Therefore, for the home textiles exported by India, the country’s share in US imports will remain steady this fiscal – in January-August 2024, it was 30 per cent, same as in calendar year 2023,” he added.

Continue Exploring: Swiggy IPO receives bids for 98.87 lakh shares, starts off slowly

Meanwhile, as per the report, international cotton prices fell below domestic prices between June and September 2024 due to increased supply from Brazil and the US. However, with India’s cotton season starting, the gap between domestic and international prices is expected to close, helping maintain India’s export competitiveness.

With domestic raw material prices on a par with international prices, operating margins are expected to be stable at 14-15% in the year, just like last year. Home textile companies have invested Rs 8,500 crore for capacity building from 2019 to 2024.

As revenues gradually increase, the industry is expected to use 60-70% of its capacity this year. Most companies aim to optimise this utilisation, though a few large ones are planning capital expenditures with reduced debt levels, the report added.

“With steady operating performance and moderate capex in fiscal 2025, the interest coverage for home textile companies should remain stable at 5-6 times. Healthy cash accrual is likely to reduce dependence on external debt for working capital, which will keep the total outside liabilities to tangible net worth ratio low at 0.6-0.7 times this fiscal (0.7 times last fiscal),” Crisil Ratings Associate Director Pranav Shandil told.

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Everstone Capital pauses plan to divest 13.17% stake in Restaurant Brands Asia

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Everstone Capital pauses plan to divest 13.17% stake in Restaurant Brands Asia

Everstone Capital has paused its plans to sell its 13.17% stake in Restaurant Brands Asia (formerly Burger King India). This decision came after talks with Advent International and General Atlantic fell through, and no new buyers showed interest amid ongoing challenges in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) sector.

We look to building RBA into India’s largest QSR – Everstone

According to ET, a private equity firm spokesperson clarified its stance on Restaurant Brands Asia (RBA), saying, “We do not have any intent to sell any further stake in the near future in RBA.” Additionally, the spokesperson expressed optimism about RBA’s potential, “We look forward to building RBA into India’s largest and most profitable listed QSR [Quick Service Restaurant] in India.”

Continue Exploring: Swiggy IPO receives bids for 98.87 lakh shares, starts off slowly

“Everstone Capital, which has been in the market to sell its entire stake in Burger King for well over two years, found no takers at the valuation it was asking; hence they have withdrawn a stake sale for the near immediate term at least,” a source close to the matter said.

Burger King India sees 9% YoY revenue growth

Restaurant Brands Asia (RBA), which runs Burger King outlets in India, saw a 9% year-on-year revenue increase in the July-September quarter. However, same-store sales, an important measure of customer retention, dropped by 3% due to low demand, according to the chain’s investor presentation. In addition, Motilal Oswal commented in a report, “The QSR industry is seeing demand challenges; hence, near-term growth metrics for India business will see a slow recovery.”

Continue Exploring: FSSAI plans discussions with quick commerce firms on sale of near-expiry food items

After announcing the company’s quarterly results, RBA’s chief executive, Rajeev Varman, said, “We know the environment has been tough in India, and the traffic numbers have been kind of subdued and so forth. We have seen SSSG (same store sales growth) coming in negative in the industry… but we are steadfast on our progress.” 

As of September, RBA operated 464 stores in India.

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Swiggy’s IPO receives 11% subscription on opening day, sluggish start

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Swiggy IPO receives bids for 98.87 lakh shares, starts off slowly

[Updated] Swiggy’s initial public offering (IPO) had a slow start on November 6, the first day of bidding, with only 11% of the shares subscribed. The IPO received bids for 1.77 crore shares out of the 16.01 crore shares available, according to exchange data.

According to BSE data, retail investors led the way, purchasing 52% of the shares reserved for them. Non-institutional investors only bought 0.05 times their allotted shares, while employees subscribed to 70% of their portion. Meanwhile, Qualified institutional buyers (QIBs) showed the least interest in Swiggy’s INR 11,324 crore IPO, with their shares still unsubscribed.

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Swiggy‘s IPO started quietly today, even though the primary market was buzzing with benchmark equity indices opening in green. By 12 PM on the first day of bidding, Swiggy received bids for 98.87 lakh shares out of 16.01 crore shares on offer.

Employee reserved portion sees 0.44X subscription, retail 0.29%

Notably, the highest interest seen in Swiggy’s IPO came from its employees where the employee reserved portion fetched 0.44 times subscription. They received bids for 3.27 lakh shares out of 7.50 lakh reserved for them. The retail investor saw 85.37 lakh shares being placed at the counter for 2.89 crore shares it offered, thus getting a subscription of 0.29 times.

Continue Exploring: Swiggy secures INR 5,085 Cr before IPO, issues 13.03 Cr shares

On the first day, non-institutional investors (NIIs) showed little interest, bidding for only 10.22 lakh shares out of the 4.34 crore shares reserved for them, resulting in just 2% subscription. The shares reserved for qualified institutional buyers (QIBs) have not yet been booked.

Swiggy secures INR 5,085 Cr before IPO

Before its IPO, the company led by Sriharsha Majety raised INR 5,085 Cr from anchor investors on November 5. Swiggy has priced its public issue between INR 371 and INR 390 per share. At the higher end, it aims to raise INR 11,324 Cr from the IPO. Swiggy’s shares are currently trading at a grey market premium (GMP) of INR 12, which is 3% above the issue price.

Continue Exploring: Swiggy’s $11.3 Bn IPO Opens on November 6

Furthermore the company has increased the fresh issue part of its IPO to INR 4,999 Cr, while slightly reducing the offer for sale (OFS) to 17.5 Cr shares. Early investors, Accel India and Elevation Capital, are expected to gain over 34 times their investment by selling some of their shares in Swiggy. The company is now aiming for a valuation of $11.3 billion for its IPO, which is 26% less than the $15 billion it had initially targeted. Swiggy’s shares are set to be listed on the BSE and NSE on November 13.

Meanwhile, the analysts of SBI Securities and Bajaj Broking have given a ‘subscribe’ rating to Swiggy’s IPO for long-term investment. Bajaj Broking said in its IPO note, “While comparing with Zomato, the issue appears to be fairly priced on all these parameters. We recommend investors to subscribe to the issue for a long term investment perspective.”

Interestingly, Swiggy is going public even though it is still losing money. Meanwhile, its main competitor Zomato is already profitable and surpasses Swiggy in most metrics in food delivery, quick commerce, and going-out services.

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