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From Unknown to Unforgettable: Effective Communication for Emerging Brands

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In a world inundated with brands vying for consumers’ attention, emerging brands face a formidable challenge. To rise above the noise and carve a lasting place in the hearts and minds of their target audience, effective communication is paramount. The journey from being an unknown entity to an unforgettable brand hinges on strategic and compelling communication. In this digital age, where information overload is the norm, emerging brands must harness the power of effective communication to captivate, connect, and ultimately convert potential customers into brand loyalists.

Understanding the Communication Landscape

Before delving into the intricacies of effective communication for emerging brands, it is essential to grasp the evolving communication landscape. Today, communication is no longer one-dimensional. It’s a multi-faceted realm where consumers are inundated with messages through various channels – social media, websites, email, advertising, and more. To navigate this complex landscape, emerging brands must approach communication strategically.

1. Define Your Brand’s Unique Story

The foundation of effective communication is a compelling brand story. Every brand has a story, and emerging brands must craft one that is authentic, relatable, and unique. This narrative should encapsulate the brand’s origin, purpose, and values. A well-defined story not only gives the brand an identity but also creates an emotional connection with the audience.

For example, consider the emergence of Airbnb. They didn’t merely advertise a service; they shared stories of homeowners and travelers, creating a sense of belonging and community. By focusing on their unique narrative, Airbnb effectively communicated their brand’s essence, making it unforgettable.

2. Know Your Audience

Effective communication hinges on understanding your target audience. Emerging brands should invest in thorough market research to identify their audience’s demographics, interests, and pain points. This knowledge enables tailoring messages and content that resonate with the intended consumers.

Take the example of Glossier, a beauty brand that caters to the millennial and Gen Z audience. They recognized the desire for authentic beauty products and used this insight to build a brand that promotes natural beauty. By knowing their audience, Glossier effectively communicated their brand’s values and gained a devoted following.

3. Consistency Across Channels

Emerging brands should maintain consistency in their communication across all channels, from social media to websites to packaging. Consistency builds brand recognition and trust. A logo, color scheme, and tone of voice should remain uniform, making the brand easily identifiable.

Consider Coca-Cola. The red and white color scheme, along with the iconic cursive font, has remained consistent for over a century. This consistency in visual and verbal communication is a significant factor in Coca-Cola’s status as an unforgettable brand.

4. Embrace Visual Storytelling

In a visually-driven world, images and videos often speak louder than words. Emerging brands should utilize visual storytelling to communicate their message effectively. Share engaging visuals that tell the brand’s story and evoke emotions. Visual content is more likely to be shared and remembered.

Dollar Shave Club, a subscription service for men’s grooming products, gained widespread recognition through a humorous and memorable promotional video. The video effectively communicated the brand’s message and value proposition, resulting in a massive increase in subscribers.

5. Provide Value through Content

Content marketing is a powerful tool for emerging brands to establish authority and trust. Create content that addresses your audience’s needs and concerns, positioning your brand as a valuable resource. This could include blog posts, videos, webinars, or podcasts.

For instance, HubSpot, an inbound marketing and sales software company, offers a wealth of free educational content, such as blogs and ebooks. By providing value through content, HubSpot effectively communicates its expertise and attracts a loyal customer base.

6. Engage in Two-Way Communication

In the age of social media, brands can no longer afford to be monologues. Two-way communication is essential. Respond to comments and messages, engage with your audience’s content, and encourage feedback. By fostering a dialogue, emerging brands can humanize their image and build strong relationships with customers.

An excellent example of this is Wendy’s, a fast-food chain that became renowned for its witty and humorous responses on Twitter. Their engagement with customers not only entertained but also effectively communicated the brand’s personality and values.

7. Monitor and Adapt

Effective communication is an evolving process. Emerging brands should continuously monitor their communication strategies and adapt to changing consumer preferences and market dynamics. Utilize analytics to assess the performance of various communication channels and make data-driven decisions.

Netflix, a once-emerging brand, has mastered the art of adaptability. They constantly analyze user data to recommend content, which not only keeps users engaged but also guides their content creation and acquisition strategy.

8. Tell a Story with Impact

Effective communication for emerging brands isn’t just about conveying information; it’s about telling a story with impact. Stories evoke emotions, and emotions create lasting memories. Share success stories, customer testimonials, and transformation narratives that showcase the brand’s value in a relatable and memorable way.

Tom’s Shoes is a brand that effectively communicates its impact. They tell the story of donating a pair of shoes for every pair sold, creating a compelling narrative of social responsibility that resonates with consumers.

Final Thoughts:

Emerging brands can transform from unknown entities to unforgettable names by mastering the art of effective communication. Crafting a unique brand story, understanding the audience, maintaining consistency, embracing visual storytelling, providing valuable content, engaging in two-way communication, monitoring and adapting, and telling impactful stories are the key components of this transformation.

In a world where countless brands are competing for attention, the ability to communicate effectively is the differentiator that sets emerging brands on the path to becoming unforgettable. By leveraging these strategies, emerging brands can cut through the noise and create a lasting impact in the minds of consumers, building a loyal customer base and securing a place in the annals of brand success.

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Creating Lifelong Fans: Building Ongoing User Engagement Beyond the Buy

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User Engagement

In today’s fast-paced and highly competitive business landscape, acquiring new customers is undoubtedly important, but it is equally crucial to keep them engaged and satisfied long after they make their initial purchase. Building ongoing user engagement beyond the buy is the key to creating lifelong fans and ensuring the long-term success of your business. This article explores the strategies and best practices for fostering lasting customer relationships that extend far beyond the transaction.

1. Understand the Customer Journey

To effectively engage customers beyond the buy, it is essential to understand the entire customer journey. This journey typically consists of various stages, from awareness and consideration to purchase and post-purchase. Each stage presents unique opportunities to connect with customers. Knowing where your customers are in their journey allows you to tailor your engagement efforts accordingly.

Start by creating customer personas to better understand your target audience. This will help you identify their pain points, preferences, and expectations. With this information, you can personalize your engagement strategies and content to meet their specific needs and interests.

2. Personalize and Segment

Personalization is a powerful tool for building ongoing user engagement. It involves tailoring your communication and offerings to individual customers based on their preferences and behavior. By personalizing your approach, you show your customers that you value their unique needs and interests, creating a stronger emotional connection.

Segmentation is closely related to personalization. It involves dividing your customer base into smaller, more manageable groups based on shared characteristics or behaviors. This allows you to send targeted messages and offers to each segment, increasing the relevance of your interactions and fostering ongoing engagement.

3. Maintain Consistent Communication

Consistent communication is the backbone of ongoing user engagement. Once a customer makes a purchase, it is crucial to stay in touch and provide value. Regular updates, newsletters, and relevant content can help keep your brand top-of-mind and encourage repeat purchases.

Additionally, social media platforms and email marketing are valuable channels for maintaining ongoing engagement. By sharing industry news, educational content, and updates about your products or services, you can keep customers informed and engaged.

4. Encourage Feedback and Reviews

Feedback and reviews play a significant role in building trust and fostering ongoing engagement. Encourage your customers to share their opinions and experiences with your products or services. Positive reviews can influence potential customers, while negative feedback provides opportunities for improvement.

Responding to customer reviews, whether positive or negative, demonstrates your commitment to customer satisfaction and can turn a negative experience into a positive one. Moreover, feedback can help you refine your offerings and better meet your customers’ needs.

5. Loyalty Programs and Rewards

Loyalty programs and rewards are effective tools for building ongoing engagement. These programs incentivize customers to return for future purchases and become lifelong fans. By offering discounts, exclusive access, or rewards for repeat business, you create a sense of loyalty and appreciation.

Additionally, these programs can serve as an opportunity for customers to feel like they are part of a community or exclusive club, strengthening their connection to your brand.

6. Provide Exceptional Customer Support

Outstanding customer support is a cornerstone of ongoing engagement. Customers who know they can rely on your brand for quick and effective assistance are more likely to remain loyal. Invest in well-trained customer service representatives who can address issues promptly and professionally.

Offer multiple channels for customer support, including phone, email, live chat, and social media, to cater to different preferences. This accessibility ensures that customers can reach out and receive assistance in a way that suits their needs.

7. Continuous Education and Value

Customers are more likely to engage with a brand that offers continuous education and value. Provide resources, tutorials, and guides that help customers make the most of your products or services. By educating them on how to solve problems or improve their lives, you position your brand as a valuable resource.

Hosting webinars, workshops, or online courses related to your industry or niche can also be an effective way to engage customers and position your brand as an industry leader.

8. Exclusive Content and Sneak Peeks

Offering exclusive content and sneak peeks can be a powerful engagement strategy. Give your customers a sense of belonging by providing them with content or access that others don’t have. This might include early access to new products, behind-the-scenes content, or exclusive promotions.

By making customers feel like insiders, you deepen their connection to your brand and make them more likely to stay engaged and make repeat purchases.

9. Social Responsibility and Sustainability

Many consumers today are passionate about social responsibility and sustainability. By aligning your brand with a cause or demonstrating your commitment to environmentally friendly practices, you can engage a segment of your customer base that shares these values.

Promote your social responsibility efforts through marketing and communication, and demonstrate how your brand is making a positive impact. Engaging in socially responsible practices can create a sense of purpose around your brand and make customers proud to support you.

10. Adapt and Evolve

Finally, it’s essential to continuously adapt and evolve your engagement strategies based on customer feedback and changing market conditions. The needs and preferences of your customers may change over time, and your strategies should evolve to meet these evolving demands.

Regularly analyze data, conduct surveys, and seek feedback from your customers to stay in tune with their expectations. Staying flexible and willing to adapt will help you maintain ongoing user engagement.

Final Thoughts:

Building lifelong fans by fostering ongoing user engagement beyond the buy is a vital strategy for long-term business success. By understanding the customer journey, personalizing and segmenting your communication, maintaining consistent contact, and implementing loyalty programs, you can create strong, lasting connections with your customers. Encouraging feedback, providing exceptional customer support, and offering continuous education and value all contribute to building ongoing engagement. Exclusive content and sneak peeks, social responsibility, and ongoing adaptation also play important roles in creating lifelong fans. By following these strategies and best practices, your business can build a loyal customer base that will support and advocate for your brand over the long term.

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The Power of Purpose: Converting Consumers by Aligning with Sustainable Values

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Sustainable storytelling

In an era where consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of the environmental and social impact of their choices, businesses are faced with a powerful opportunity to align with sustainable values and, in doing so, attract and retain a growing base of conscientious consumers. This shift towards purpose-driven marketing and sustainable practices is not just a passing trend; it is a fundamental transformation in the way companies operate and engage with their customers. This article will explore the power of purpose in converting consumers and how aligning with sustainable values can drive not only profitability but also positive societal change.

The Rise of Sustainable Consumerism

Consumer preferences are evolving rapidly, driven by growing concerns about climate change, resource depletion, social injustice, and the ethical treatment of workers. Today’s consumers are more informed and socially conscious than ever before. They are not merely interested in the products and services they purchase but also in the values and ethics of the companies behind those offerings. A study by Nielsen found that 73% of global consumers are willing to change their consumption habits to reduce their environmental impact, and 66% are willing to pay more for sustainable products.

This rise in sustainable consumerism is evident across industries. From fashion to food, and from electronics to energy, consumers are actively seeking products and brands that reflect their values. This presents a remarkable opportunity for businesses to align with these values and connect with a growing and increasingly influential consumer segment.

The Power of Purpose-Driven Marketing

Purpose-driven marketing involves going beyond traditional profit motives to engage with consumers on a deeper level. It means defining a clear and authentic purpose that extends beyond profit generation and reflects the company’s commitment to making a positive impact on society and the environment. When done correctly, purpose-driven marketing can be a powerful tool for converting consumers.

1. Building Brand Loyalty: Purpose-driven companies often cultivate strong brand loyalty. When consumers perceive a brand as genuinely committed to a meaningful cause, they are more likely to trust and remain loyal to that brand. Patagonia, for example, is known for its environmental advocacy, and its customers often become advocates themselves, promoting the brand’s values and products.

2. Attracting New Consumers: A purpose-driven approach can also attract new consumers who resonate with the brand’s mission and values. When consumers see a brand that aligns with their personal beliefs, they are more likely to give it a try, even if they were previously unfamiliar with the product or service.

3. Differentiation in a Crowded Market: As more businesses recognize the value of purpose-driven marketing, it becomes a way to differentiate from competitors. A strong and authentic commitment to sustainability and social responsibility can set a company apart in a crowded market, making it more attractive to conscious consumers.

4. Enhancing Employee Engagement: A clear corporate purpose can also inspire and engage employees. When employees believe in the company’s mission, they are more motivated and productive, which, in turn, positively affects the customer experience.

Sustainability as a Competitive Advantage

Sustainability is not just a marketing tool; it can also be a competitive advantage that leads to financial benefits for businesses. Sustainable practices can lead to cost savings, increased efficiency, and reduced risk. Here’s how:

1. Cost Reduction: Many sustainable practices, such as energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable sourcing, can lead to cost savings. For example, switching to renewable energy sources can reduce energy expenses, while implementing efficient supply chain processes can minimize transportation and inventory costs.

2. Innovation Opportunities: A commitment to sustainability can drive innovation. Businesses that prioritize sustainability are more likely to invest in research and development for eco-friendly products and solutions, which can create new revenue streams.

3. Mitigating Risks: Companies that address environmental and social issues are better positioned to mitigate risks associated with regulatory changes, resource scarcity, and consumer backlash. Proactive steps toward sustainability can protect a company’s reputation and financial stability.

4. Access to Capital: Investors and financial institutions are increasingly considering environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors when making investment decisions. Companies with strong sustainability practices may have easier access to capital and may even benefit from better lending terms.

The Role of Transparency and Authenticity

In the age of information, consumers are more skeptical than ever. They can easily spot greenwashing – the practice of making false or exaggerated claims about a product’s environmental or social benefits. To truly convert consumers through sustainability, businesses must prioritize transparency and authenticity.

Transparency means being open and honest about a company’s environmental and social impact. It involves disclosing information about supply chains, carbon footprints, and social responsibility efforts. Authenticity, on the other hand, requires a genuine commitment to sustainable practices, not just for marketing purposes but as a core part of the company’s values and operations.

When consumers sense that a company is truly dedicated to its purpose, they are more likely to trust and support it. Conversely, when greenwashing is suspected, it can erode consumer trust and damage a brand’s reputation.

The Road Ahead

The power of purpose in converting consumers through sustainable values cannot be overstated. As the world faces pressing environmental and social challenges, consumers are looking to businesses to be part of the solution. By aligning with sustainable values, companies can not only drive profitability but also contribute to positive societal change.

The road ahead for businesses is clear: embrace sustainability, define a genuine purpose, and communicate it transparently. In doing so, they can connect with a growing base of conscious consumers, build brand loyalty, attract new customers, and differentiate themselves in the market. The power of purpose is not just a marketing strategy; it’s a transformation of business as usual, one that benefits both companies and the world at large.

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Omni-Channel Mastery: Achieving Consistency and Engagement Across All Touchpoints

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In today’s fast-paced and digital-centric world, consumers expect a seamless and consistent experience when interacting with brands. This demand has given rise to the concept of omni-channel marketing, which is all about creating a unified, consistent, and engaging experience across all touchpoints. From in-store experiences to online shopping, mobile apps to social media, and customer support to email marketing, omni-channel mastery is essential for businesses looking to thrive in the modern marketplace.

What is Omni-Channel Marketing?

Omni-channel marketing is a strategy that focuses on providing a consistent and integrated customer experience across all available channels and touchpoints. These touchpoints can include physical stores, websites, mobile apps, social media, email, phone, and more. The key objective of omni-channel marketing is to ensure that customers can transition seamlessly between channels without experiencing any disruption or inconsistency in their journey. Achieving this seamless experience requires a deep understanding of customer behavior and preferences, as well as the integration of technologies and systems to enable the flow of data and communication between channels.

Why Omni-Channel Mastery Matters

Omni-channel mastery is essential for several reasons. First and foremost, it meets the expectations of today’s tech-savvy consumers. Customers expect to have a consistent experience regardless of where and how they interact with a brand. If a customer browses a product online and later visits the physical store to make a purchase, they should expect a seamless transition, with their preferences and previous interactions recognized and carried over.

Consistency in omni-channel marketing builds trust and brand loyalty. When customers feel confident that a brand will provide a reliable and uniform experience across all touchpoints, they are more likely to become repeat customers. Inconsistencies, on the other hand, can lead to frustration and confusion, ultimately driving customers away.

Additionally, omni-channel marketing allows businesses to gather valuable data about customer behavior and preferences. By tracking interactions across various channels, businesses can gain insights into what works and what doesn’t, enabling them to make data-driven decisions for future marketing efforts.

Challenges of Omni-Channel Marketing

While omni-channel marketing offers numerous benefits, it comes with its own set of challenges. One of the most significant challenges is ensuring the seamless integration of data and technology across different channels. This often requires substantial investment in technology infrastructure and data analytics capabilities. Companies must also maintain data security and privacy standards to protect customer information.

Another challenge is the need for a unified and coordinated marketing strategy. To ensure a consistent experience, all marketing efforts must align across channels, from branding and messaging to promotions and customer service. This requires effective collaboration among different departments and teams within a company.

Moreover, maintaining consistent quality across all touchpoints can be challenging. For example, if a business has a high-quality website but poor in-store customer service, it can undermine the overall customer experience. Achieving excellence across all touchpoints is a complex task that requires constant monitoring and improvement.

Strategies for Omni-Channel Mastery

To achieve omni-channel mastery, businesses must adopt several strategies and best practices:

1. Customer-Centric Approach: Start by understanding your customers’ preferences and behaviors. Gather data on their interactions with your brand across all channels. This information will help you tailor your marketing efforts to meet their needs and expectations.

2. Integrated Technology: Invest in technology that allows data to flow seamlessly across channels. This includes customer relationship management (CRM) systems, marketing automation tools, and analytics platforms. These technologies enable you to track and analyze customer interactions and preferences in real time.

3. Consistent Branding: Maintain a unified brand identity and messaging across all touchpoints. This consistency helps customers recognize and trust your brand. Your brand’s visual and written elements should remain consistent, and your messaging should align with your brand values.

4. Training and Development: Ensure that your employees are well-trained and empowered to provide consistent service and information across all channels. This includes in-store staff, customer service representatives, and online chat support. Training and development programs can help staff understand the importance of omni-channel consistency.

5. Data Security: Implement robust data security and privacy measures to protect customer information. Customers should feel safe and confident when interacting with your brand.

6. Continuous Improvement: Regularly review and analyze the performance of your omni-channel strategy. Identify areas for improvement and make data-driven changes to enhance the customer experience.

7. Personalization: Use the data you collect to personalize marketing messages and product recommendations. Personalization can significantly improve engagement and conversion rates.

8. Responsive Design: Ensure that your website and mobile apps are responsive and user-friendly on different devices. This is crucial for providing a positive online experience.

Final Thoughts:

Omni-channel marketing is not just a buzzword; it’s a critical strategy for businesses in today’s digital age. Achieving omni-channel mastery is essential for providing consistent and engaging experiences across all touchpoints, which can lead to increased customer loyalty and business success. While it comes with challenges, a customer-centric approach, integrated technology, and a commitment to consistency can help businesses master omni-channel marketing and stay competitive in the modern marketplace. By focusing on the customer’s journey and delivering a seamless and consistent experience, businesses can build trust, enhance engagement, and ultimately drive long-term success.

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Competitive Edge: Using Social Media Strategy to Stand Out in a Crowded Marketplace

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In today’s fast-paced and increasingly digital business landscape, having a competitive edge is essential for success. With businesses of all sizes vying for the attention of a global audience, it can be challenging to stand out in a crowded marketplace. However, by leveraging a well-crafted social media strategy, companies can not only survive but thrive in this competitive environment.

Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, with billions of people across the globe actively engaging on various platforms. As a result, it has evolved into a critical channel for businesses to reach and connect with their target audience. A well-executed social media strategy can provide several advantages that can help a company rise above the competition.

1. Building Brand Awareness

Brand awareness is a fundamental aspect of any marketing strategy. A strong social media presence allows a company to create and maintain brand visibility. Regularly posting engaging content, sharing updates, and interacting with the audience can significantly increase brand recognition.

In a crowded marketplace, the more familiar your brand is to consumers, the more likely they are to choose your product or service. Social media platforms provide an excellent opportunity to showcase your brand’s personality and values, helping you differentiate yourself from competitors.

2. Targeted Marketing

One of the most powerful features of social media is its ability to provide precise targeting options. Social media platforms collect vast amounts of data on user demographics, interests, and behaviors. This data can be harnessed to create highly targeted marketing campaigns.

By segmenting your audience based on their interests, location, age, and more, you can tailor your content and advertisements to reach the right people at the right time. This level of precision ensures that your marketing efforts are not wasted on an irrelevant audience, increasing your competitive edge.

3. Engaging Content

Content is king in the world of social media. High-quality, engaging content can captivate your audience’s attention, encourage interaction, and build a loyal following. Your content should reflect your brand’s voice, values, and mission, making it unique and memorable.

To stand out in a crowded marketplace, experiment with various content types, such as videos, infographics, blog posts, and user-generated content. Engaging content not only attracts new customers but also retains existing ones, helping you stay ahead of your competitors.

4. Customer Relationship Building

A strong social media presence also enables companies to build and maintain relationships with their customers. Responding to comments, messages, and inquiries in a timely and personalized manner can create a positive impression. It shows that you value your customers’ opinions and are dedicated to providing excellent service.

In a crowded marketplace, businesses that focus on nurturing customer relationships tend to stand out. People are more likely to choose a company that they feel connected to and trust. Social media facilitates this connection and builds customer loyalty.

5. Competitive Analysis

Monitoring your competitors’ social media activities can provide valuable insights. Analyzing their strategies, content, and engagement levels can help you identify gaps in the market and opportunities to differentiate your brand. You can learn from their successes and failures, allowing you to make informed decisions about your own social media strategy.

Moreover, by keeping a close eye on your competitors, you can identify trends and changes in customer preferences, enabling you to adjust your strategy accordingly. This adaptability is crucial in a dynamic and crowded marketplace.

6. Data-Driven Decision Making

Social media platforms offer robust analytics tools that provide data on the performance of your content and campaigns. By analyzing this data, you can gain a deeper understanding of what works and what doesn’t. This information allows you to refine your strategy, focusing on the tactics that yield the best results.

Data-driven decision making is a significant advantage in a crowded marketplace, as it ensures that your efforts are well-targeted and effective. It also allows you to quickly adapt to changes in consumer behavior or market trends.

7. Paid Advertising

Social media platforms offer a range of paid advertising options that can help you reach a larger and more specific audience. With options like Facebook ads, Instagram sponsored posts, and LinkedIn sponsored content, you can promote your products or services directly to potential customers.

Paid advertising on social media is a cost-effective way to stand out in a crowded marketplace. It allows you to reach a highly targeted audience without the need for a massive advertising budget, leveling the playing field for businesses of all sizes.

8. Influencer Partnerships

Influencer marketing has become a powerful tool for businesses looking to increase their reach and credibility. Collaborating with influencers who align with your brand can help you tap into their engaged and loyal following. These partnerships can introduce your products or services to a whole new audience.

In a crowded marketplace, influencers can provide a valuable edge by lending their credibility and authenticity to your brand. They can showcase your offerings in a relatable and persuasive manner, helping you gain a competitive advantage.

Final Thoughts:

The business world is more competitive than ever, and standing out in a crowded marketplace is a constant challenge. However, a well-executed social media strategy can provide a significant competitive edge. By building brand awareness, leveraging targeted marketing, creating engaging content, nurturing customer relationships, analyzing competitors, making data-driven decisions, utilizing paid advertising, and exploring influencer partnerships, businesses can not only survive but thrive in the digital age. Social media has the power to level the playing field and give companies of all sizes the opportunity to make a lasting impression and capture the attention of their target audience. So, whether you’re a startup or an established business, harness the power of social media to rise above the competition and secure your place in the crowded marketplace.

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Bull Agritech secures $100K in pre-seed funding led by PedalStart accelerator for agri-supply chain expansion

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Bull Agritech

Bull Agritech, an agritech firm, has secured $100K in a pre-seed round, with startup accelerator PedalStart leading the way. Bull Agritech is a member of PedalStart’s current cohort, known as One-to-N, which enjoys the backing of venture capital funds.

In a press release, Bull Agritech announced that the funds will be directed towards the company’s expansion efforts, operational enhancements, and team development.

Founded in 2021 by Hit Desai and Divyajeet Chauhan, Bull Agritech plays a pivotal role in the agricultural supply chain market by facilitating direct connections between farmers and agri-commodity processors, offering comprehensive supply chain solutions.

Bull Agritech asserts that it has facilitated INR 25 crore worth of trades and digitally onboarded 15,000 farmers, underscoring their substantial growth and influence within just 18 months.

PedalStart specializes in nurturing founders as they develop their startup concepts, harnessing the expertise of former entrepreneurs, accomplished startup leaders, subject matter experts, and angel investors. With a portfolio encompassing over 10,000 startups, a network of more than 300 mentors, 800 founders actively shaping their ideas, and participation in over 1,200 house discussions, PedalStart asserts its track record in transforming ideas into high-potential businesses since 2021.

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Blinkit records first positive contribution, anchoring Zomato’s quick commerce success

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blinkit
blinkit

Blinkit, the quick commerce arm of the foodtech giant Zomato, marked a significant milestone during the quarter ending on September 30, 2023 (Q2 FY24) by achieving a positive contribution for the first time.

In the shareholder letter accompanying its Q2 FY24 financial statements, Zomato announced that Blinkit’s contribution margin, as a percentage of the gross order value (GOV) within the overall business, demonstrated a noteworthy transformation. It progressed from a negative figure of -7.3% in Q2 FY23 to a positive +1.3% in the quarter concluding on September 30, 2023.

The company determines its contribution by deducting various expenses, including store costs, warehouse expenditures, packaging and handling expenses, and recruitment costs related to delivery agents, among other factors, from its total revenue.

It’s worth highlighting that this marks the first full quarter in which Blinkit achieved a positive contribution, following its initial contribution-positive status in June 2023. This significant milestone has firmly placed the quick commerce division of Zomato in the spotlight in this quarter’s shareholder letter.

In Q2 FY24, Blinkit processed a total of 45.5 million orders, reflecting a robust quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) increase of almost 24% compared to the 36.8 million orders in the preceding quarter. Furthermore, this also marked a substantial year-on-year (YoY) surge of 74.3% in comparison to Q1 FY23, during which it handled 26.1 million orders.

The significant surge is likewise evident in the Gross Order Value (GOV), which escalated by 29% in the quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) comparison and a remarkable 86% in the year-on-year (YoY) comparison, reaching INR 2,760 crore in Q2 FY24.

“Part of the reason for high growth was the low base effect, given the temporary disruption in the business in the previous quarter (as mentioned in our last letter),” said Blinkit cofounder and CEO Albinder Dhindsa.

“On a YoY basis, the GOV growth was 86%, as expected and in line with the past. GOV growth was largely driven by same-store sales growth as we continue to focus on serving more customer needs and ensuring consistency of service levels,” Dhindsa added.

Zomato’s Chief Financial Officer, Akshant Goyal, anticipates that Blinkit is poised to achieve yet another quarter of record-breaking performance in Q3, primarily attributed to the festive season.

During the reviewed quarter, Blinkit added 28 new stores, bringing the total store count to 411. Dhindsa elaborated on the geographical expansion, stating that the quick commerce platform targets a minimum of 100 additional stores by the end of FY24. Anticipating an estimated total of 480 stores by March 2024, the company aims for substantial growth.

Regarding the effects of geographic expansion, Dhindsa expressed optimism that Blinkit’s adjusted EBITDA margin would see improvement, leading the platform toward a break-even point by the first quarter of FY25.

“Having said that, what we really care about is that our existing stores increasingly make more contribution profit and at the same time the new stores that we open ramp-up at a pace that we expect them to (or better),” added the Blinkit CEO.

“…even if the aggregate margin falls as an outcome, we would not worry about that because the underlying business is solid and the fall in margin is then more a function of rapid good quality expansion in the business,” Dhindsa said.

The average order value (AOV) at Blinkit increased to INR 607 in the second quarter of FY24, up from INR 582 in the first quarter of FY24. Additionally, it saw a year-over-year growth of 7%.

“…part of the recent uptick in AOV was also driven by the improving assortment and GOV mix in favour of high ASP (average selling price) categories such as electronics, toys, books, beauty products, home décor, festive needs, among others. While the ordering frequency of these categories is lower, their ASP tends to be 3-4x higher than other categories, thereby driving up AOV,” the Blinkit CEO explained.

Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal reaffirmed his optimistic outlook for the quick commerce business, stating that it has the potential to outperform the food delivery business.

Goyal said Blinkit is seeing profitable economics not just at a store level but also at a city level and some of the cities are now operating at similar contribution per order as the food delivery business in those cities. “So even from a potential profit pool perspective, we think quick commerce is a larger opportunity than food delivery,” he said.

Zomato, during the second quarter of FY24, achieved its second profitable quarter, reporting a Profit After Tax (PAT) of INR 36 crore.

Read More: Zomato reports remarkable surge in profit, achieving second consecutive profitable quarter in FY24

The company’s shares concluded Friday’s trading session with an 8.3% increase, closing at INR 116.40 on the BSE.

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Zomato Gold Loyalty program sees remarkable success with 38 Lakh members in just three quarters

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Zomato Gold

Zomato, the foodtech giant, reported that its customer loyalty program, Zomato Gold, has attracted 3.8 million members in just three quarters since its launch in January this year.

In its shareholder letter, which accompanied the Q2 financial reports, Zomato further stated that Gold members are playing a pivotal role in propelling the expansion of its food delivery operations. The company disclosed that Zomato Gold orders currently account for approximately 40% of the gross order value (GOV) within the food delivery sector.

During the quarter ending in September 2023, Zomato’s gross order value (GOV) for food delivery amounted to INR 7,980 crore, with Gold members contributing INR 3,192 crore to this total.

Nonetheless, the company emphasized that a Gold order tends to be less profitable than a non-Gold order, primarily because of the influence of program perks. Zomato pointed out that the fees paid by Gold members are nearly negligible, largely owing to the complimentary delivery benefits.

The startup explained that the expenses associated with the Zomato Gold program are elevated, primarily due to increased delivery costs stemming from longer average delivery distances, the provision of priority service to members during peak hours, and the expenses incurred to honor the no-delay guarantee. The subscription fees collected from members only partially offset these additional costs.

“All of this results in Gold orders being meaningfully worse-off on contribution margin vis-à-vis non-Gold orders. However, that gap is starting to (and should continue to) narrow, driven by efficiencies across both pricing and cost of the program,” the company stated.

In the same period, food delivery gross order value (GOV) saw a 9% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) increase and a 20% year-on-year (YoY) growth. The company noted that demand for the service is rebounding effectively after the previous two quarters of FY23 experienced a slowdown.

The contribution margin for food delivery increased to 6.6% in the current quarter, up from 5.1% in Q3 FY23 (prior to the Gold relaunch).

Regarding platform fees, Zomato explained that it is implementing a fee ranging from INR 2 to INR 5 for each food delivery order with the aim of enhancing the sustainability and long-term viability of their economics.

Overall, in Q2, Zomato reported its second consecutive profitable quarter, demonstrating a PAT of INR 36 Cr. This followed its maiden profitable quarter in Q1 FY24, where its PAT stood at INR 2 Cr.

Read More: Zomato reports remarkable surge in profit, achieving second consecutive profitable quarter in FY24

Also Read: Zomato turns profitable in Q1 FY24, reports INR 2 Cr consolidated PAT

During the quarter being reviewed, Blinkit, the quick commerce platform, achieved a positive contribution for the first time.

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Zomato reports remarkable surge in profit, achieving second consecutive profitable quarter in FY24

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Zomato
Zomato (Representative Image)

Foodtech giant Zomato has unveiled its second consecutive profitable quarter today, experiencing a remarkable surge in profit after tax, reaching INR 36 Crore during the September quarter of the financial year 2023-24 (FY24). This outstanding performance represents an 18-fold increase from the INR 2 Crore PAT in the preceding quarter.

It is important to highlight that Zomato achieved its first-ever profitable quarter in Q1 of FY24. In Q2 of FY23, the company incurred a net loss of INR 251 Crore.

Read More: Zomato turns profitable in Q1 FY24, reports INR 2 Cr consolidated PAT

Notably, Zomato recorded a profit before tax (PBT) of INR 21 Crore in Q2 of FY24, a significant turnaround from the INR 15 Crore loss in the preceding quarter.

Meanwhile, in Q2 FY24, Zomato announced a significant milestone with its quick commerce business Blinkit achieving positive contribution for the first time. This quarter, Blinkit marked a 1.3% contribution, a remarkable shift from the negative 7.3% recorded in Q2 FY23.

Zomato’s operating revenue surged to INR 2,848 Crore in the quarter under consideration, a significant increase from the INR 1,661 Crore reported in the corresponding quarter from the previous year.

Operating revenue also experienced an 18% increase, rising from INR 2,416 Crore in Q1 of FY24.

Zomato reported a significant year-on-year (YoY) increase of 47% in its gross order value (GOV), which reached INR 11,422 Crore in Q2 of FY24, reflecting positive growth across its various business verticals.

The company reported that the gross order value (GOV) for food delivery increased by 9% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) and 20% year-on-year (YoY) to INR 7,980 Crore. Zomato mentioned that the food delivery sector is steadily recovering from the demand slowdown observed during the last two quarters of FY23.

Zomato explained that the growth in gross order value (GOV) within its core food delivery vertical was primarily driven by an increase in order volumes, with minimal fluctuations in the average order value.

“Order volume growth is typically negatively impacted in this quarter due to lower delivery partner availability during rains. However, this year we were able to improve on that through better all-round execution,” Zomato said in its statement.

Another significant factor contributing to the growth of the gross order value (GOV) during the quarter was the expanding adoption of its Gold program.

The company reported a total of 3.8 million Gold members by the end of the September quarter, and these members accounted for nearly 40% of the gross order value (GOV) in its food delivery business. The platform had 2 million active Gold members as of June 2023.

Nevertheless, the contribution margin for its food delivery business increased from 6.4% in Q1 of FY24 to 6.6% in Q2 of FY24.

Zomato witnessed a positive shift in its consolidated adjusted EBITDA, which improved to INR 41 Crore in the current quarter, marking a significant turnaround from the INR 192 Crore loss in Q2 of FY23.

Zomato experienced a substantial year-on-year increase of over 45% and a sequential growth of 16.3% in its total expenses, reaching INR 3,039 Crore in Q2 of FY24.

In the current quarter, Zomato’s expenditure on purchasing stock-in-trade nearly doubled, reaching INR 685 Crore. Additionally, the company’s employee benefit expenses increased by 9.4% year-on-year, totaling INR 417 Crore.

During the preceding quarter, Q1 of FY24, Zomato allocated INR 338 Crore to employee benefit expenses.

At the same time, the company continued to allocate more funds to advertising and sales promotions, resulting in an 18.3% year-on-year increase, reaching INR 355 Crore.

Zomato witnessed a significant increase in its delivery and related expenses, more than doubling to INR 919 Crore in Q2 of FY24 compared to the previous year.

Zomato has observed that festivals have a more pronounced impact on driving growth in its quick commerce subsidiary, Blinkit, compared to its food delivery business. With significant festivals such as Navratri, Dussehra, and Diwali on the horizon in the December quarter, Zomato anticipates another robust growth period for Blinkit.

“The festive period in Q3 FY24 is usually a mixed bag for the food delivery business. While people order more around the festivals, at the same time, they also travel and eat-out more in this quarter,” it said.

Nevertheless, the company added that the ICC World Cup is likely to generate increased order volumes, although the surge in demand is anticipated to be concentrated on a few select match days.

Zomato’s shares closed today’s trading session at INR 116.4 on the BSE, marking an 8.3% increase.

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