To the first part of your question, Rohan, the answer is no, We do not have any sort of partnership or relationship with Google.

Rohin Dharmakumar The Ken, CEO and Co-founder

My pleasure, Krishnan. And thank you for understanding.

Rohin Dharmakumar The Ken, CEO and Co-founder

Hello Krishnan, at The Ken we've always strived to push the envelopes of what our subscribers might appreciate, even if it isn't narrowly from their sector. For instance, why should a professional working in, say, FinTech, care for what's happening in Healthcare? Or Policy? Our answer has been because there are interconnections that matter. We operate at those intersections. Each of our stories is at the intersection of technology, business and people, at the least. Today's story is important for all our readers because it is about the challenges, opportunities and approaches faced by one of the largest developing economies in Southeast Asia - Indonesia. The problems mentioned are not really all that different from those we've chronicled in India. And we also felt it was doubly relevant because the Education Minister of Indonesia is the 36-year old co-founder of one of the region's largest unicorns, Gojek. We literally have the intersection of Big Tech, EdTech and Education Policy in a country with the largest population of school children in the world, after China and India. We don't publish SEA stories to our India subscribers often. But whenever we do, you can be sure it's because we really feel there is incredible relevance.

Rohin Dharmakumar The Ken, CEO and Co-founder

Thanks Rikin. I'll check on this.

Rohin Dharmakumar The Ken, CEO and Co-founder

A matter for a different story, Amrit :) Do you have a view? Write to me :)

Rohin Dharmakumar The Ken, CEO and Co-founder

The profit, as I've said in the story, seems to have been a one-off thing. I don't think it was a case of a business truly becoming profitable on an ongoing basis. Thus using a profit multiple to assess the sale valuation may not be accurate.

Rohin Dharmakumar The Ken, CEO and Co-founder

Not an easy test. Reliance Retail now needs to retain UL's leadership, invest in it to win back market share and vendor trust, and figure out how to make money in the process :)

Rohin Dharmakumar The Ken, CEO and Co-founder

It was either take a haircut, or face the possibility of UL shutting down and everyone getting zero. The profitability you're referring too was a one time thing. I'm not sure if it was sustainable enough.

Rohin Dharmakumar The Ken, CEO and Co-founder

At The Ken we tend to report and write on companies than sectors, Dinesh. While we do try and study leading players, it isn't to the same depth. That said, many sources believe Pepperfry was nimbler and faster at moving to both (a) a market place model, and (b) offline stores. Plus, it managed to convince investors and raise money a few times in the last few years, including from domestic strategics like Pidilite. So it's not in as dire a situation as UL. That said, it doesn't make profits. But then, who does?

Rohin Dharmakumar The Ken, CEO and Co-founder

Not weird at all, Varun, because the article is about Swiggy and Instamart. Not every story needs to also be about what Reliance or Jio are doing. We do those stories separately, as a search will tell you.

Rohin Dharmakumar The Ken, CEO and Co-founder

I hear you, Daljit. But India is a large enough market for there to be other customers for whom delayed deliveries don't work? I for one order multiple times a week from Swiggy and Dunzo, while still doing the bulk of our grocery shopping on weekends at Namdhari's stores. Swiggy is choosing to cater to a smaller segment of 10-20M people, as they say.

Rohin Dharmakumar The Ken, CEO and Co-founder

I think Swiggy is arguing that grocery delivery doesn't have to be a one-product-fits-all one. They're choosing to not cater to the average Big Basket shopper. And possibly to the customers who buy from physical kiranas regularly. There's enough of a market still left.

Rohin Dharmakumar The Ken, CEO and Co-founder