On August 1, Zomato announced the launch of a new app named ‘District,’ designed to expand beyond its traditional food delivery services into a broader spectrum of lifestyle and entertainment offerings. This ambitious move aims to consolidate various “going-out” activities, including dining, movie and sports ticketing, live performances, shopping, and staycations, into a single platform.
CEO Deepinder Goyal introduced the app in a letter to shareholders, emphasizing Zomato’s strategic shift towards a more diverse range of lifestyle services. He highlighted the success of Zomato and Blinkit in catering to home-based needs and pointed out the significant potential in enhancing Zomato’s ‘going-out’ services.
The company’s going-out segment is already performing strongly, with a gross order value (GOV) surpassing $500 million annually and showing profitability. Goyal mentioned the plan to leverage this success to incorporate additional features such as movies, sports events, live shows, and shopping into the new app.
The launch positions Zomato in direct competition with established players like BookMyShow, which currently holds a dominant 60 percent share in the Indian market for online movie ticketing and events. Goyal expressed optimism that ‘District’ could revolutionize the going-out experience, potentially establishing it as Zomato’s third major business sector.
In the most recent quarter, Zomato’s going-out business experienced significant growth, with a 105 percent increase in gross order value and a 233 percent rise in adjusted EBITDA. The company is also reportedly in talks to acquire Paytm’s movie-ticketing and events arm, a move that could further solidify its position in the sector.
Furthermore, Zomato has reinstated senior executives Rahul Ganjoo and Pradyot Ghate to spearhead new initiatives for its going-out business. Despite the dynamic nature of the company’s projects, these moves underscore Zomato’s commitment to expanding its footprint in the lifestyle and entertainment arenas.
As the company continues to evolve, this latest initiative reflects Zomato’s ambition to redefine the consumer experience beyond food delivery, tapping into the broader lifestyle market.
