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Article Timeline - Zomato vs Restaurant bodies
Restaurant aggregator Zomato has been accused by restaurant bodies for deep discounting, exorbitant commissions and working in self interest at the cost of restaurant partners. Read the developments below to see how it all began and what has been brewing
Nov 2018
Kerala Hotels and Restaurants Association calls for a 10-day strike against food aggregators over high commission. Restaurants will not take orders from Zomato, Swiggy, Uber Eats & Foodpanda. KHRA says it plans to set up its own alternative platform.
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Sources: Newsclick, Quartz India
Jan 2019
A restaurants’ body with 5 lakh members asks food aggregators to stop deep discounting & predatory practices. Writes petition to Competition Commission of India.
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Sources: Inc 42, Business Insider
Aug 2019
NRAI starts #logoutcampaign against food aggregators urging them to logout of all such apps. Zomato's loyalty program Zomato Gold, launched in 2018, was at the centre of debate. Gold on delivery offers 1+1 or similar offers.
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Sources: The Quint, Livemint
Aug 2019
Zomato changes Gold loyalty program. Only two users per table can use Zomato Gold and each user can use it only once per day. The subscription now costs at least ₹1,800 per year and plans below ₹1000 are not available.
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Sources: Livemint, Financial Express
Oct 2019
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal asks for the NRAI's list of grievances against food aggregators. Says both parties should sort out the issues or he is happy to intervene.
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Sources: New Indian Express, Inc42
Nov 2019
The Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR), a 8,000-restaurant body, boycotts Zomato Gold. Asks Zomato to discontinue Zomato Gold on deliveries.
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Sources Moneycontrol, Financial Express
May 2020
NRAI announces plans to build its own app to take on Zomato, Swiggy. The announcement doesn't lead anywhere and NRAI revives this plan later in Jun 2021.
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Sources: Livemint, Hindu Businessline
Jun 2020
NRAI, Swiggy launch campaign #AtYourService, urging customers to order support restaurants by ordering food as lockdown disrupts restaurant business.
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Sources Livemint, Moneycontrol
Jun 2021
NRAI moves Competition Commission of India (CCI) against Zomato, Swiggy over lack of transparency. It highlights issues of data masking, exorbitant commision, deep discounting & exclusive agreements with restaurants.
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Sources: Business Standard, Economic Times
Apr 2022
CCI orders probe into food aggregators over unfair pricing and issues raised by NRAI in its Jun 2021 complaint. Demands report in 60 days.
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Source: Economic Times, Business Today