Swiggy’s advertising spends surge 48% year-on-year
Swiggy’s revenue from operations rose nearly 11% quarter-on-quarter to Rs 6,148 crore
Pitch Feature
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Food and quick commerce giant Swiggy recorded a significant increase in advertising and sales promotion expenditure in the third quarter of FY26, highlighting its sustained focus on customer acquisition and brand presence as growth momentum accelerates.
Advertising and sales promotion spending climbed 6.6% quarter-on-quarter to Rs 1,108 crore in Q3 FY26 from Rs 1,039 crore in Q2 FY26. On a year-on-year basis, ad expenditure jumped 47.5% compared with Rs 751 crore in the same quarter last year.
The higher marketing investment coincided with a strong top-line performance. Swiggy’s revenue from operations rose 10.6% QoQ to Rs 6,148 crore in the December quarter, up from Rs 5,561 crore in Q2 FY26. On a YoY basis, revenue surged 53.9% from Rs 3,993 crore in Q3 FY25.
Total income for the quarter stood at Rs 6,244 crore, compared with Rs 5,620 crore in the previous quarter and Rs 4,096 crore a year earlier.
However, losses widened on a sequential basis. Swiggy reported a consolidated loss of Rs 1,065 crore in Q3 FY26, compared with a loss of Rs 1,092 crore in Q2 FY26 and Rs 799 crore in Q3 FY25. Loss before tax was also Rs 1,065 crore for the quarter, versus Rs 1,092 crore in the September quarter and Rs 799 crore a year ago.
Total expenses rose 8.7% QoQ to Rs 7,298 crore in Q3 FY26, driven by higher delivery-related costs, advertising outlays and employee expenses. Delivery and related charges increased to Rs 1,533 crore in Q3 FY26 from Rs 1,426 crore in Q2 FY26, while employee benefit expenses stood at Rs 673 crore compared with Rs 690 crore in the preceding quarter.
For the nine months ended December 31, 2025, Swiggy’s advertising and sales promotion expenses grew to Rs 3,183 crore, sharply higher than Rs 1,734 crore in the corresponding period last year. Revenue from operations for the nine-month period rose to Rs 16,670 crore, compared with Rs 10,817 crore in the same period last year. Commenting on the performance, Sriharsha Majety, MD and Group CEO, Swiggy, said the company continues to build momentum despite concerns about a sector slowdown.
“Swiggy continues to accelerate user growth and gross order value in food delivery, defying broader scepticism around a sector slowdown while significantly improving our operating margins. In quick commerce, where we believe we are only a quarter of the way through the opportunity, we are deepening wallet penetration and expanding differentiated assortment across categories to strengthen engagement and order value,” Majety said.
He added that the company’s confidence is bolstered by the successful qualified institutional placement and a stronger balance sheet.
“Our confidence in the roadmap is reinforced by the successful qualified institutional placement and the long-term capital it brings, which strengthens our balance sheet and supports sustained investment in growth and innovation. With robust cash reserves backing our strategic priorities, our long-term approach emphasizes disciplined fiscal prudence and a distinctive product offering to drive sustained momentum toward contribution margin breakeven,” he said.
