1. Opening Hook
Blinkit finally hit breakeven, and competitors responded the only way they know how—free deliveries, deep discounts, and vibes of pure chaos.
Management showed up calm, armed with spreadsheets, ROCE math, and a polite way of saying, “Yes, competition is irrational. No, we won’t cry about it.”
Margins expanded despite lower throughput, stores kept growing, and analysts kept trying to find the hidden landmine. Management’s answer? Multi-variable problem, no linear correlation, please stop oversimplifying.
If this sounds boring, relax. The fun part comes when Eternal admits growth depends on how crazy rivals get, not on demand.
Read on—because the real story is about discipline surviving in a market drunk on subsidies.
2. At a Glance
- Blinkit breakeven achieved – After years of cash burn, the toddler learned to walk unaided.
- Contribution margin +90 bps – Costs behaved, even when competitors didn’t.
- EBITDA margin +130 bps – Operating leverage finally did its job.
- Store throughput –6% QoQ – Assortment grew; velocity sulked briefly.
- 211 net store additions – Expansion continues, panic stays optional.
3. Management’s Key Commentary
“It’s very hard to predict the trajectory of margins in the near term.”
(Translation: Stop extrapolating one good quarter
forever. 😏)
“Competitive intensity is not steady.”
(Translation: Rivals wake up aggressive on alternate Tuesdays.)
“Assortment expansion can reduce throughput in the short term.”
(Translation: Long tail SKUs don’t fly off shelves like milk.)
“Margins should expand directionally.”
(Translation: Upwards, but don’t ask for a straight line.)
“We’re solving for ROCE north of 40%.”
(Translation: Profitable growth, not vanity GMV. 😌)
“We may take a margin hit if required.”
(Translation: Market share defense > quarterly optics.)
4. Numbers Decoded
| Metric | Q3FY26 Reality | What It Actually Means |
|---|---|---|
| Contribution Margin | +90 bps | Cost discipline beat price wars |
| EBITDA Margin | +130 bps | Scale finally showed up |
| Store Throughput | –6% QoQ | Assortment > speed, for now |
| Net Store Adds | 211 | Expansion still aggressive |
| Target ROCE | 40%+ | Capital efficiency obsession |
Lower throughput didn’t kill margins—mix and leverage saved the day.
5. Analyst
