Blinkit’s quick food delivery service, Bistro, owned by Eternal, has started imposing a ₹5 convenience fee on orders. This fee only appears at the final checkout screen, catching many users by surprise due to the lack of prior notice or in-app alerts. As of now, Eternal has not responded to inquiries regarding this silent implementation.
This move aligns with a broader industry trend where food and quick-commerce platforms are introducing various additional charges to strengthen their revenue streams. Companies like Swiggy and Zomato have already added or increased fees such as delivery charges, small basket fees, packaging costs, and convenience charges, often ranging from ₹10 to ₹30 based on order value, location, or time. Zepto similarly applies handling charges, packaging fees, and surge pricing.
Launched in December 2023, Blinkit’s Bistro offers ready-to-eat meals, tea, coffee, and snacks delivered within 15 minutes. Initially piloted in Gurugram, the service is now slowly expanding. Its rivals include Zepto Cafe and Swiggy’s SNACC.
The update follows recent turbulence in the sector. Zepto Cafe paused operations in several North Indian cities like Agra, Mohali, and Amritsar, affecting around 400 workers due to supply issues. Meanwhile, BigBasket has entered the segment with a pilot in Bengaluru, planning to scale to 40 dark stores by July. Other players like Swish and Zing are also gaining traction in the fast-growing quick food delivery space.
