Blinkit, the quick commerce arm of Zomato’s parent company Eternal, is poised for significant profitability gains as it transitions to an inventory-led model. Analysts suggest that this strategic shift is already showing signs of operational efficiency and could lead to Ebitda breakeven by March 2026. While the change is expected to tie up working capital for about 18 days, experts believe the move will streamline processes and improve margins over the coming quarters.

In the June quarter, Blinkit’s inventory-led model accounted for 3 per cent of its net order value (NOV), and its CEO Albinder Dhindsa indicated that near-term margins have stabilised. Analysts at Jefferies estimate the return on cash employed could exceed 40 per cent, thanks to better control over operations and order fulfillment. Brokerage firm Nuvama projected that Blinkit could gain as much as a 1 per cent margin expansion in the next two to three quarters as a result of this model.

The move to an inventory-led model mirrors the structure of traditional retailers like DMart and represents a shift from Blinkit’s earlier marketplace approach. Although this may affect the revenue reporting of B2C arm Hyperpure, which had served as Blinkit’s backend—the overall impact is viewed as a positive for Blinkit’s long-term health. According to Kotak Institutional Equities, the model change, along with a reduction in the proportion of new stores, should help drive profitability and balance costs.

Blinkit also continues to scale aggressively, adding 243 dark stores in the June quarter. It plans to open 2,000 stores by the end of 2025 and targets 3,000 by 2026. While analysts have trimmed projections for Zomato’s core food delivery segment due to a dip in consumer demand, they have upgraded Blinkit’s profitability outlook, recognizing it as a key growth engine for Eternal.

In the April-June quarter, Blinkit reported a 140 per cent year-on-year increase in gross order value to ₹11,821 crore, bringing its annualised run rate to approximately $5.5 billion. Net order value also surged by 127 per cent year-on-year and 25 per cent quarter-on-quarter to ₹9,203 crore. For the same period, Blinkit posted an adjusted operating loss of ₹162 crore, highlighting ongoing investments, but the growth in orders and revenue trajectory suggests a promising road to breakeven.

With this strategic model shift, Blinkit has not only emerged as a standout performer for Eternal’s Q1 results but also signaled a confident leap toward sustained profitability in India’s fast-evolving quick commerce sector.

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality firm, has announced the signing of a new hotel in Pune under its Gateway brand. The upcoming hotel will be developed as part of a greenfield mixed-use project in Bibvewadi, one of Pune’s rapidly emerging localities.

Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development at IHCL, noted that Pune plays a key role in Maharashtra’s economic fabric, driven by IT, pharma, and automotive industries. She highlighted Bibvewadi as a growing micro-market, benefitting from expanding infrastructure, new commercial developments, and proximity to educational and residential zones. The decision to establish a hotel here aligns with IHCL’s ongoing strategy to tap into high-growth urban clusters across the country.

The 180-key Gateway Bibvewadi Pune is set to be a modern and vibrant destination located close to the city centre. Guests can expect a well-rounded experience with an all-day dining venue, a specialty restaurant, and a bar, offering diverse culinary offerings. Recreational amenities will include a fully equipped gym and a swimming pool, while business and social gatherings will be well-supported with over 4,000 sq. ft. of banqueting space, in addition to smaller meeting rooms and pre-function areas.

Known as the ‘Oxford of the East’ due to its esteemed educational institutions, Pune continues to evolve as a major cultural, academic, and business hub. With this new signing, IHCL further reinforces its footprint in Maharashtra’s thriving hospitality landscape.

A powerful collaboration between Radisson Hotel Group, Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), and strategic partner The Job Plus, has helped launch careers in the hospitality industry for 308 underprivileged youth across India. Through focused training programs and industry partnerships, this initiative is changing lives—one placement at a time.

A standout success of the project is from Jammu & Kashmir, where 70 youth were trained by Arc Hospitality and Swale IT & Skills, and later placed in well-known hotel groups like Radisson, Park Inn, and The Svelte. Of these, 20 young individuals were awarded offer letters during a special ceremony held at Radisson Hotel, Srinagar, in the presence of Mr. K. B. Kachru, Chairman – South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, and Mr. Rajan Bahadur, CEO of THSC.

This event wasn’t just a celebration of job placements, it was a showcase of how collaboration between corporates, training partners, and skill councils can create real impact. Organizations like the Hotel Association of India (HAI) also play an important role by supporting industry-focused skilling efforts alongside THSC.

The broader placement drive has opened doors at renowned hospitality names including Hilton, Conrad, The Oberoi, Lemon Tree, Holiday Inn, Sarovar Ahuja Residency, Amritara, Park Plaza, and Svelte. A notable aspect of the initiative is its strong commitment to gender inclusion, with 155 female (51%) and 153 male (49%) candidates placed across the country.

This program stands as a real example of CSR-driven skilling leading to meaningful employment. It offers young individuals, especially from underserved regions like Jammu & Kashmir, the opportunity to join India’s growing hospitality sector with pride and purpose.

By combining the strengths of corporate support, strategic execution, and quality training, this model proves that large-scale, high-impact employment initiatives are possible. It sets a promising path for similar programs to take shape across more parts of the country.