Swiggy pilots travel and lifestyle concierge app Crew
Swiggy has launched a travel and lifestyle concierge app, Crew, on a pilot basis, according to information about the app published on Google Play Store.
This marks the Bengaluru-based company's entry into a new business after food delivery, dining out, quick commerce and professional services.
The app, which involves human concierges in addition to generative artificial intelligence (AI), helps users plan trips, going beyond simply suggesting itineraries.A Swiggy spokesperson did not comment on the development.Last year, ahead of its initial public offering (IPO), the company had started testing Rare Life, a personalised concierge service focused on elite and exclusive experiences. However, this project was discontinued after Swiggy decided not to scale it up beyond a small cohort.
In January, the company rolled out professional services marketplace Pyng, signalling that it was following a house of apps strategy similar to Chinese tech giants Alibaba and Meituan, which have also had multiple apps for various services.
This is in contrast to the 'superapp' strategy, where consumers are expected to come for one basic use-case and transact across multiple services. Also, superapps are yet to see any noteworthy success at scale in India.Besides Crew and Pyng, Swiggy now has the main app, which houses food delivery, quick commerce, dining out and its events platform Scenes. The quick commerce unit, Instamart, also got a separate app in January.The launch of Crew was first reported by Entrackr.
Swiggy recently suspended its peer-to-peer parcel delivery service Genie, which was available in 70 cities. The company has also licenced its cloud kitchen brands to food service outfit Kouzina, with plans to fully transfer these businesses upon fulfilment of certain conditions.
On Friday, Swiggy shares ended 3.1% higher at Rs 385.90 on the BSE.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
13 minutes ago
- Time of India
Tata Motors working with govt, looking alternate sources for magnets: Chandrasekaran
Mumbai: Tata Motors is working with the government and is also taking steps to procure magnets from alternate sources in the wake of China restricting exports of rare earth elements , company Chairman N Chandrasekaran told its shareholders on Friday. Responding to queries from shareholders on the impact of China's move to restrict exports of rare earth elements and shortage of magnets, he said, "As of now, this is not a concern, but this is something that we are watching very carefully." "As of now, we are okay. We are not facing are able to source the magnets that we need, and also we have plans for having the right level of inventory. We are working with the government. Also, we are working on sourcing from alternate sources," Chandrasekaran noted. China's restrictions on the export of rare earth elements and related magnets are affecting the domestic auto and white goods sectors. The automobile industry had sought government support in expediting approvals from the Chinese government for importing rare earth magnets used in various applications, including passenger cars. Live Events To another query on the impact of the ongoing Iran-Israel war on the company's business, he said, "It is very difficult to answer what will be a war kind of situation look like." However, he said Tata Motors group's three firms -- commercial vehicle, passenger vehicles and JLR -- have a very strong platform. "They will be able to tide over any of these geopolitical issues in the short term but are completely ready and poised for excellent growth and leverage the opportunity that this industry has to offer," Chandrsekaran asserted. Earlier in opening address, he said that going forward, volatility will continue to mark economic cycles -- from widespread geopolitical conflicts, military escalations, the redrawing of supply chains and tariff regimes, to AI and energy transition. Nowhere are all these disruptions visible more than in the automotive sector . "Given the enormous amount of work we have done over the past few years -- from simplifying the businesses to making big strategic bets to strengthening our financial position -- our businesses are structured to not just handle this environment, but to thrive," he asserted. Responding to a query on passenger vehicle business expansion in international markets, he said, "This is something that we are always in discussions but we are waiting for the right geopolitical environment to be able to launch but we are getting prepared." To another query on the completion of demerger of Tata Motors' commercial and passenger vehicle verticals into separate entities, Chandrasekaran said, "We think the demerger will happen in the last quarter of this year. "First, the PV company will list and then the CV company will list a couple of months later. It will happen, in our estimate, sometime around October-November-December quarter." Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
16 minutes ago
- First Post
Trump creates tariff firewall against China, its companies turn attention to Brazil
China's energy strategy faces disruption as Israel's strikes on Iran threaten key oil supply routes. With US trade tensions rising, Chinese firms are pivoting to Brazil while Beijing accelerates its push for energy self-sufficiency. Analysts warn the conflict could weaken China's regional influence and diplomatic ambitions. read more China's decades-long push to secure energy dominance through partnerships with Iran is facing a major test as the Israel-Iran war threatens to choke Beijing's oil supply lines and disrupt its regional ambitions. The fallout, combined with escalating trade tensions with Washington, is prompting a reorientation of Chinese corporate interests toward markets like Brazil, according to a report by the Financial Times. Chinese President Xi Jinping this week urged restraint from all sides in the escalating Middle East conflict, while also criticising US interference in China's trade with Iran. Yet, concerns in Beijing are mounting as Israel continues to target Iranian oil and nuclear facilities. Analysts say this not only jeopardises China's access to cheap Iranian crude but also threatens its broader diplomatic and energy strategy in the region. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'If this situation continues to escalate, then they lose quite a bit, both in terms of their energy security and Iran as a strategic card that China holds,' said Gedaliah Afterman of Israel's Abba Eban Institute, speaking to FT. Iran has become a vital energy partner for China, particularly since US-led sanctions intensified in 2018. China buys the bulk of Iran's oil exports—reaching as much as 1.6 million barrels a day at its peak in 2024—and supplies Tehran with essential goods, including electronics, vehicles, and even nuclear equipment. But Iranian shipments to China dropped to 740,000 barrels a day by April, driven by fears of further sanctions and intensifying regional instability. The risk of an Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—through which billions of dollars in Gulf oil flows to China adds to Beijing's anxiety. While some Chinese analysts say OPEC+ producers may fill the gap in a worst-case scenario, any broader disruption would drive up prices and hit China's energy security. China's reliance on Gulf suppliers is significant. Besides Iran, Saudi Arabia is its largest oil provider outside Russia. In natural gas, over a quarter of China's LNG imports last year came from Qatar and the UAE. Even with long-term contracts, Chinese importers may be forced to turn to the spot market at higher costs if the regional crisis widens. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The FT report also highlights that President Xi's broader strategy of energy self-sufficiency may now accelerate. China is already the world's top user of oil, but under Xi, it has embarked on a massive renewable push. Solar and wind now make up 56% of total electricity power plant capacity, up from a third ten years ago. 'This crisis will only make Beijing double down,' said Neil Beveridge of Bernstein Research. 'If it wasn't happening fast enough before, it will be happening even faster now.' At the same time, the US-China rivalry continues to simmer. Former President Donald Trump has moved to harden trade restrictions on Beijing, creating what analysts describe as a 'tariff firewall.' Facing mounting pressure, many Chinese firms are increasingly eyeing Brazil as an alternative trade partner and investment destination, particularly in sectors like agriculture, green energy, and critical minerals. Beijing's broader diplomatic ambitions in the Middle East have also taken a hit. China's influence surged with its mediation of the 2023 Saudi-Iran deal and its 25-year cooperation pact with Tehran. But analysts were quoted by FT as highlighting its role as a neutral broker has been diminished by the latest conflict and its cautious response. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The demise or the collapse of the Iranian system or the Iranian power as we knew it is not good news for China,' Yun Sun of the Stimson Center told FT. 'That indirectly means that American influence has expanded.' Experts echoed that for Beijing, the Israel-Iran war is a stark reminder of the vulnerability in its foreign energy bets and the geopolitical limits of its global aspirations.
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
Why China is fighting internet war with it 'friend' Russia
Despite public displays of strategic partnerships and mutual non-aggression in cyberspace, China has reportedly been engaged in hacking campaigns against Russia. As reported by the New York Times, some Beijing-backed hacking groups are targeting Russian government agencies and defense firms in order to extract military and defense secrets. This intelligence collecting drive aims to gather information about Russian military operations, particularly its ongoing war in Ukraine, as well as advancements in defense technology and broader geopolitical strategies. One noticeable breach involved a Chinese group posing as a Russian engineering firm to gather data on nuclear submarines. Another attack by Chinese hackers was on Russia's powerful state-owned defense conglomerate, seeking information on radar and electronic warfare systems. The revelations underscore a pragmatic and often ruthless approach to national interests, even among ostensible allies. While both nations have consistently presented a united front against Western influence and have pledged not to engage in cyber espionage against each other, China appears to view Russia as a vulnerable yet valuable target for intelligence acquisition . As per the report cyberanalysts suggest that China's aim is to collect information about Russia's capabilities and intentions, particularly in light of its military engagement in Ukraine. This kind of information will offer strategic advantages to Beijing and help it in enhancing its own defense planning, technological development and international relations. Along with this, the hacking activities also indicate clear prioritisation of national intelligence over the stated principles of their partnership. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esse novo alarme com câmera é quase gratuito em São Paulo (consulte o preço) Alarmes Undo This covert digital intrusion stands in contrast to the public narrative of a "no-limits" friendship between Beijing and Moscow, casting a shadow of distrust over their proclaimed solidarity. While there is no indication of a full-blown "internet war" between the two, the continuous efforts by China to penetrate Russian systems for espionage purposes reveal a hidden layer of competition and suspicion beneath the surface of their cooperative alliance.
