# Zomato Hikes Platform Fee 20% to ₹12 Before Festive Season Rush

URL: https://technosports.co.in/zomato-hikes-platform-fee-to-12-festive-season/  
Published: 2025-09-05  
Updated: 2025-09-05  
Author: Hardik Dhamija

[Zomato](https://www.zomato.com/india)increased its platform fee from ₹10 to ₹12 per order on September 2, 2025, marking a 20% hike just ahead of the festive season. The move follows rival [Swiggy](https://technosports.co.in/?s=Swiggy)‘s similar strategy, signaling intensified competition in India’s food delivery market.

## **Table of Contents**

![Zomato](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Zomato-2.webp)

## **Platform Fee Wars: Zomato vs Swiggy Battle for Margins**

Shares of Eternal Ltd (Zomato) traded flat after hitting a day’s high of ₹328.75 following the fee announcement, suggesting investors expected the strategic price adjustment.

### **Fee Evolution Timeline**

| **Period** | **Zomato Fee** | **Market Context** | **Strategy** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| July 2024 | ₹6 | Metro expansion | Market testing |
| Festive 2024 | ₹10 | “Festive platform fee” | Seasonal surge |
| September 2025 | ₹12 | Pre-festive positioning | Margin optimization |

### **Impact on Customer Orders**

**Cost Breakdown for Typical Order:**

- Platform fee: ₹12 (up from ₹10)
- GST on platform fee: ₹2.16 additional
- Total extra cost: ₹4.16 more per order

The timing coincides with expected festive season demand surge, similar to rival Swiggy’s strategy of increasing fees to ₹14 in select pin codes.

![Zomato 1](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Zomato-1.webp)

## **Strategic Rationale Behind the Hike**

The increase represents the latest in a series of hikes aimed at bolstering margins as rival Swiggy follows a similar playbook. Both companies are prioritizing profitability over market share growth.

**Business Justifications:**

- **Festive demand surge**: Higher order volumes expected
- **Operational costs**: Increased delivery partner incentives
- **Margin improvement**: Path to sustainable profitability
- **Market positioning**: Competing with Swiggy’s pricing strategy

## **Customer Reaction and Market Impact**

The latest move sparked a wave of customer frustration online, with users questioning the value of premium subscriptions like Zomato Gold when platform fees continue rising.

**Consumer Concerns:**

- Recurring fee increases despite loyalty programs
- Additional GST burden on platform fees
- Timing during festive season when spending is already high
- Competition between platforms not benefiting consumers

## **Revenue Impact and Growth Projections**

The ₹2 increase could generate significant additional revenue for Zomato given its massive order volume. This marks exactly one year since Zomato last increased platform fees, indicating strategic timing for annual adjustments.

**Financial Implications:**

- Higher per-order revenue realization
- Improved unit economics for food delivery
- Enhanced investor confidence in profitability path
- Competitive positioning against Swiggy

## **What This Means for Indian Food Delivery Market**

The synchronized fee hikes by both Zomato and Swiggy indicate market maturity where profitability takes precedence over aggressive customer acquisition. This shift reflects the evolution of India’s food delivery ecosystem.

![Zomato 3](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Zomato-3-1.webp)

**Market Trends:**

- Price optimization over market share battles
- Festive season premium pricing strategies
- Focus on sustainable business models
- Consumer adaptation to higher delivery costs

For more insights on food delivery trends and stock market analysis, check our business updates and market analysis.

## **FAQs**

### **When did Zomato implement the new ₹12 platform fee?**

The fee hike became effective on September 2, 2025, increasing from ₹10 to ₹12 per order.

### **How does Zomato’s new fee compare to Swiggy’s charges?**

Swiggy charges ₹14 per order in select pin codes, making Zomato slightly cheaper at ₹12.