Zomato has introduced a new service called the "large order fleet" designed to efficiently handle substantial orders for gatherings, parties, and events. Deepinder Goyal, the CEO, announced this development on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting that this fleet exclusively consists of electric vehicles.
Goyal emphasised that this new fleet is tailored for gatherings hosting up to 50 people, addressing a gap in their services. He mentioned on the microblogging platform that these vehicles should resolve many issues faced by customers when placing large orders on Zomato.
Explaining the reasoning behind this initiative, Goyal noted that Zomato previously managed large orders through multiple delivery agents, leading to subpar customer experiences. However, he acknowledged that this new feature is still evolving and described it as a "work in progress." He also mentioned that Zomato is working on adding more features such as cooling compartments and hot boxes with temperature control.
In a post on X, Goyal mentioned that while they will continue to have a fleet for vegetarians, they decided to eliminate the on-ground segregation using the colour green, opting for all riders to wear red uniforms.
Zomato had previously launched 'Pure Veg Mode' and 'Pure Veg Fleet' to serve customers who exclusively adhered to a vegetarian diet. In 'Pure Veg Mode,' only restaurants serving vegetarian cuisine were listed, with non-vegetarian establishments excluded.
Shortly after the launch, Zomato began receiving feedback from a segment of users on social media. Many expressed concerns that delivery personnel wearing a specific colour uniform could face backlash in various areas, potentially reinforcing caste-based segregation.
Following the launch of its 'Pure Veg Mode' service, Zomato CEO rolled back the decision partially, stating that Zomato would not carry out on-ground segregation of the fleet "in terms of colour" to prevent discrimination.
Goyal mentioned that retracting the decision on the green dress would prevent any misassociation of their "red uniform delivery partners" with non-vegetarian food. This move aimed to avoid situations where residential welfare associations (RWAs) or societies might block them on special occasions, prioritising the physical safety of their riders as a top priority.
He mentioned that the company had come to the realisation that some of its customers could have faced issues with their landlords, which he expressed as being undesirable if it were to happen due to Zomato's actions.
Earlier in January, Zomato raised its mandatory platform fee from ₹3 to ₹4 in key markets, coinciding with a surge in order volumes on New Year's Eve, where the app recorded a record-breaking number of orders. This increase in fees occurred amidst expectations of significant revenue growth in the March 2024 quarter, with the company's stocks nearing ₹200 per share.
