Ordering food online is set to become more expensive for consumers as food delivery platform Zomato, through its parent entity Eternal, has revised its fee structure. Following a six-month period without adjustments, the company raised its per-order platform fee from ₹12.50 to ₹14.90. In addition, customers selecting the cash on delivery (COD) payment option will now incur an extra fee of ₹5 per order.
Extra ₹5 Fee for Cash on Delivery Orders
Under the revised rules, users who choose to pay with cash upon delivery rather than through online payment channels will pay an additional ₹5 for every order. The extra charge comes on top of existing delivery fees and platform charges, as the company seeks to manage processing costs associated with physical cash collection.
19.2 Percent Surge in Platform Charges
The platform fee hike represents an increase of ₹2.40 per order, translating to a 19.2 percent rise as charges move to ₹14.90. This adjustment marks the first revision to the platform fee in six months. Estimates indicate that this increase alone could generate approximately ₹48 lakh in additional revenue daily for the company.
Impact on Tech Stocks and Markets
Following the announcement of increased operational fees, shares of parent firm Eternal as well as competitor Swiggy experienced upward momentum in stock market trading. Market analysts note that higher fee realization per order improves operating margins, driving positive sentiment across food delivery and technology stocks.
