Indian foodtech players have transitioned beyond simple food deliveries. From groceries to fast delivery of essentials, companies like Zomato and Swiggy have evolved to cater to the growing demand for instant gratification in accessing everyday necessities.

Last year marked a significant milestone in Swiggy’s journey. Following the footsteps of its rival Zomato, which had gone public in July 2021, Swiggy made its long-anticipated market debut with a blockbuster $1.3 Bn IPO — one of the largest public listings by a new-age tech company in India.

While Swiggy remained loss-making according to its last financial statement, it achieved profitability in its core food delivery business on the back of measures such as the introduction of a platform fee.

In addition, the company also increased its focus on growth avenues such as Dineout and other revenue streams, to further solidify its position. Though Swiggy paused experimenting with new verticals before its IPO, the company has resumed diversifying after its listing.

In December 2024, the company expanded its Dineout vertical by introducing Swiggy Scenes, a new feature enabling users to book parties, events, and live music experiences at partner restaurants. This move also underpinned Swiggy’s intent to not only deliver convenience but also curate experiences, further strengthening its position as a comprehensive lifestyle platform.

However, what’s interesting is that Swiggy Scenes took shape after Zomato announced the launch of District, a dedicated app for the ‘going-out’ business, in July. The app was finally launched in November last year after Zomato completed the acquisition of Paytm Insider in August.

While Zomato launched District as a separate app, Scenes is currently available on the main Swiggy platform and is only limited to a few locations, including Bengaluru and Delhi.

Notably, Zomato’s District app allows users to book tickets and make reservations for dining, movies, sports, and........

© Inc42