As it is known that Zomato-owned Blinkit has been exploring other money making avenues for quite some time.
Following the same the food aggregator is launching handymen services on its platform soon, said the two sources aware of the details of the internal discussions.
How Did This Happen?
One of the sources said, “Blinkit is set to offer handyman services such as plumbing, electrician, beautician and air conditioner repairing etc on its platform in coming weeks,”.
This latest move from the online food delivery service provider will put Blinkit in direct competition with Tiger Global-backed Urban Company.
Interestingly, Zomato’s co-founder and chief executive officer Deepinder Goyal was appointed as an independent director on Urban Company’s board in March 2022.
It is noteworthy here that Mr Goyal resigned from the board on February 15, as per details sourced through the RoC.
Further adding, Goyal’s resignation from Urban Company’s board of directors is directly linked to Blinkit’s plan to enter Urban Company’s territory of home services.
The sources further quoted that Goyal resigned as the new vertical will compete with UC and there would be a direct conflict of interest,”.
Providing Prompt Services
In the meantime, Blinkit has set up a new team of existing group’s employees as well as hired workforce from other companies to launch this new vertical.
“It will try to ensure these services within 10-15 minutes similar to its core grocery play,” the sources noted, on the condition of not to be identified.
By the time this article was written, the queries sent to Urban Company, Goyal and Blinkit didn’t elicit any immediate response.
Earlier, Zomato added grocery and now it is coming up with home services in its offerings indicating its intention to emulate China’s Meituan, which is an investor in competitor Swiggy.
Meituan started with food delivery and further evolved into a wider platform over the years for entertainment, dining, grocery and travel.
This is something that even Swiggy has been aiming to do.
