Zomato responds to Rs 100 water bottle complaint, says it wasn't the event organizer

A techie flagged a 10x MRP markup on water bottles (Rs 100 vs Rs 10 MRP) sold at a concert venue where Zomato was the ticketing partner. Zomato apologized, clarified it did not organize the event, and said it noted the feedback for its own events. Raises brand-trust questions for the food and quick-commerce major.

— FiledSat, 11 Jul, 2026, 12:16 IST·First seen Sat, 11 Jul, 2026, 12:16 IST·Source Times of India · Business

What happened

Zomato, acting as ticketing partner, faced a customer complaint over Rs 100 water bottles (10x MRP) sold at a concert venue. Zomato apologized, clarifying it

Key facts

  • Rs 10 MRP
  • Rs 100 price
  • 10x markup
  • Rs 200 for two bottles

Why this matters

The incident underscores the reputational exposure of lending the Zomato brand to third-party events without pricing controls, a governance gap worth closing before scaling ticketing and live-experience partnerships.

What to watch

  • Viral thread velocity and whether 'Zomato' stays in the headline framing
  • Legal Metrology / consumer forum statement on venue MRP violations
  • Repeat complaints tagging Zomato at other ticketed events
  • Any Zomato blinkit price-gouging complaint piggybacking on this narrative
  • Zomato issues a partner-vendor MRP compliance guideline for events it ticket-partners
  • PR reinforces the 'we don't organize / we noted feedback' line via founder or official handle
  • Competitors (District/BookMyShow-linked) quietly audit their own venue F&B pricing exposure
  • Concert organizer/venue named and shamed as the actual overcharging party