In a remarkable ascent, food delivery giant Zomato has transformed into a consumer titan, securing its position as India's 21st most valuable brand. According to the latest 'BrandZ' report from research firm Kantar, Zomato's brand value skyrocketed by an impressive 69% year-on-year.
From Food Delivery to Lifestyle Leader
This meteoric rise is not attributed to its quick commerce arm, Blinkit, which was excluded from the valuation. Instead, Zomato's estimated brand value of over $6 billion for 2025 reflects its successful pivot from a simple food-delivery app to a comprehensive lifestyle platform. This strategic shift has allowed it to leapfrog legacy giants like Maggi, Bajaj Auto, Surf Excel, and Paytm on the prestigious list.
Soumya Mohanty, managing director and chief solutions officer for South Asia at Kantar, highlighted the key drivers. "They have District pushing out events. The main app is also active with people-centric customizations like veg mode, protein indicators, and so on," she said, emphasizing that these features integrate seamlessly into a consumer's daily lifestyle choices, from ordering-in to going out for concerts.
Rivalry and Sectoral Shifts in the Top 100
Zomato's primary competitor, Swiggy, also featured in the rankings but trailed behind. It secured the 27th spot with a brand value of $4.8 billion, which saw a more modest growth of 4% over the past year. The aggregate brand value of India's top 100 brands grew by 6% to surpass $523.5 billion.
The top three brands remained unchanged, with HDFC Bank, TCS, and Airtel holding their dominant positions. The report also noted strong performances from brands associated with travel and experiences, mirroring a post-pandemic surge. Taj Hotels saw a 55% increase, Indigo Airlines rose 42%, and MakeMyTrip grew by 45%. Quick-commerce newcomer Zepto made its debut on the list at rank 83.
The K-Shaped Recovery and Its Impact
Kantar's report sheds light on a critical economic trend affecting brand growth: the 'K-shaped' recovery. While wealthy Indians are spending more on luxury items, the middle class is facing significant financial stress. This is impacting sectors like Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), where urban demand is slowing.
"You see signs of this 'softening middle' everywhere," the report stated, pointing to trends like a shift towards unbranded goods in urban FMCG sales and a rise in unsecured loans. Despite this, financial services and tech/services platforms dominated the top 100, contributing 28% and 21% of the total brand value, respectively.
The findings are based on extensive research, including interviews with 4.5 million consumers and an analysis of 22,000 brands across 538 categories in 54 markets, providing a robust snapshot of the global and Indian brand landscape.
