In a surprising move, food delivery giant Swiggy has quietly discontinued its Swiggy Genie service, which offered intra-city pickup and drop-off of packages. The shutdown came without any formal announcement, leaving many users confused and disappointed.
Launched in 2020, Swiggy Genie allowed users to send parcels, documents, and even groceries from one location to another within the same city. At its peak, the service was operational in over 70 cities across India. However, recent reports indicate that the service has been silently pulled back, with no prior notification issued to customers. This abrupt termination has come as a shock to many regular users who relied on Genie for quick and convenient local deliveries.
It is worth noting that Swiggy had temporarily suspended the Genie service in 2022, citing operational challenges. Post-pandemic, the demand for core food delivery services surged, potentially diverting resources away from Genie. According to sources, the shift in consumer behavior following the COVID-19 pandemic made it more viable for Swiggy to double down on food delivery rather than parcel logistics.
Swiggy appears to be concentrating its efforts on its rapid delivery platform, Swiggy Bolt, which promises food delivery in as little as 10 minutes. Analysts believe that the decision to shut down Genie could be a strategic move to streamline operations and focus on high-demand, time-sensitive services like Bolt.
While Swiggy pivots toward ultra-fast food delivery, its chief competitor Zomato has also made notable changes. Zomato recently shut down its Quick and Everyday services, which offered 15-minute deliveries of food and daily essentials. These changes highlight a broader industry trend toward reevaluating the sustainability and profitability of express delivery models.