Ride-hailing firm inDrive forays into grocery delivery in Pak, launches in-app ads in top markets

Ride-hailing firm inDrive forays into grocery delivery in Pak, launches in-app ads in top markets



Bid-based ride-hailing platform inDrive has rolled out in-app ads across its top 20 markets and is expanding into grocery delivery in Pakistan, per a report by TechCrunch on Sunday.

The report added that the move is aimed at building new revenue streams and sustaining growth in price-sensitive markets.

Advertising on inDrive is being unveiled across Mexico, Colombia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Egypt, and Morocco. This will focus on in-app ads during the waiting period and while the passengers are en route, the company said. In-car and on-vehicle advertising is part of the broader roadmap, the report mentioned.

The development comes as the California-headquartered firm faces stiff competition from rivals such as Uber and other local commuting platforms.

Andries Smit, inDrive’s chief growth businesses officer, said the rollout follows tests conducted to understand the viability of the business, that delivered hundreds of millions of impressions and garnered the attention of global consumer brands and banks.

The ad business would reduce the company’s reliance on ride commissions, the report mentioned. It is backed by inDrive’s super app strategy to evolve beyond ride-hailing into a multi-service platform.