MAM
Uber rolls out rewards program for drivers in Mumbai
Mumbai: Uber has launched ‘Uber Pro’ – a rewards program inspired by drivers and designed to help them reach their goals – both on and off the road. Uber Pro provides drivers with new ways to earn, more options and support, and deeper discounts on what keeps them moving. It has been launched with exciting rewards, perks, and exclusive features across 12 Indian cities, including Mumbai. By rewarding drivers with good customer rating (above 4.8) and low trip cancellations, this program aims to elevate overall platform experience by making every trip magical for riders and drivers alike.
Commenting on the launch of Uber Pro in India, Uber India & South Asia director – operations Shiva Shailendran said, “Drivers are at the heart of what we do at Uber. We are committed to providing a great ride experience for a rider and driver each time they choose Uber. Uber Pro rewards drivers who provide a great service to riders by maintaining a high app rating and low trip cancellations. It will go a long way in promoting the adaptation and continued use of the Uber platform by top-rated drivers who have made us #IndiaKiRide over the last 10 years, and will improve the overall experience on the Uber app.”
Uber Pro has four tiers: Blue, Gold, Platinum and Diamond, with Diamond being the highest possible tier. A driver who is new on the platform starts with a Blue tier status and moves upwards by earning ‘points’ on every completed trip and meeting other criteria. The points reset every 3 months, so the drivers’ tier status is determined on a rolling period of 3 months. As drivers move towards a higher tier status, they get access to exclusive perks and experiential rewards offered by third parties, such as discounted vehicle maintenance and motor insurance, and microcredit offerings etc.
Uber Pro benefits
Drivers who were able to maintain the top rating ‘Diamond’ for a full quarter were given a cash reward of Rs 10,000/-. Top-tier drivers from diamond and platinum tiers also got access to exclusive experiential rewards including those mentioned below.
Area Preference: For two hours every day, drivers were able to choose to get trips from an area of their choice. This gave them flexibility to drive in their preferred area.
Priority support: In case they needed support, these drivers could skip the queue at Uber greenlight centers and received special attention from top support agents on priority.
Automatic Premier Eligibility: Eligible drivers also got upgraded to get ‘Premier’ trips on the Uber app. With a combination of Go and Premier trips, drivers not only had a chance to receive more trip requests, but also received more high-value trip requests with premier.
Along with drivers in Platinum and Diamond tiers, Gold tier drivers also received a 30 per cent extra discount vs. market price on Castrol vehicle PMS. Drivers from all tiers were eligible to access differential enhanced microcredit limits (up to Rs 20k, Rs 15k, Rs 10k, and Rs 8k, for Diamond, Platinum, Gold, and Blue tiers respectively). These microcredits are cash credits provided by a third party, facilitated by Uber, that help drivers achieve life goals such as supporting their children’s education or contributing to house expenses, etc. All Uber Pro drivers were also eligible for discounted premiums for life, health, and motor insurance.
Riders will be able to see the tier status of a driver on booking an Uber and drivers will be able to track their progress on the Uber app. The program is currently live in 12 cities including Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Delhi NCR, Kolkata, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Guwahati and Jaipur. Uber plans to roll this out to more cities in the near future.
Disclaimer: Rewards vary by location and Uber Pro status of the driver, and are subject to change. Rewards described here may not be available in all cities where Uber Pro is available. Additional limitations and exclusions apply. See terms and conditions for complete details.
Brands
Kwality Wall’s reports standalone losses following strategic HUL demerger
Ice cream major faces Rs 64 crore Ebitda loss amid commodity inflation and muted Q3 sales
MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited (KWIL) has released its first set of financial results as a standalone entity, revealing a challenging start to its independent journey. Following its successful demerger from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) on 1st December 2025 and its subsequent listing on 16th February 2026, the company is navigating a transition period marked by structural changes and high input costs.
For the quarter ended 31st December 2025, the company reported revenue of Rs 222 crores. Despite the revenue base, the bottom line was impacted by several factors, resulting in an Ebitda loss of Rs 64.2 crores. When calculated on a Pre-IND AS 116 basis, the Ebitda loss stood at Rs 83.8 crores.
Organic Sales Growth (OSG) declined by 6.5 per cent year-on-year during the quarter. Volume growth, however, saw a marginal increase of 1.2 per cent. The company reported a gross margin of 41.5 per cent. Additionally, exceptional expenses amounting to Rs 94 crores were recorded, primarily linked to non-recurring costs during the transition phase.
Performance across portfolios and channels was mixed. Within the impulse portfolio, brands such as Magnum and Cornetto recorded mid-single digit volume growth, indicating steady demand in on-the-go consumption. However, the in-home portfolio, which includes take-home packs, experienced muted consumption. The company is planning a relaunch of this category with improved offerings ahead of the 2026 season.
Quick commerce (Q-Com) continued to emerge as a strong growth driver, delivering robust double-digit growth during the quarter. Meanwhile, the company also expanded its physical distribution network by increasing the number of company-owned cabinets across markets.
Margin pressure during the quarter was driven by a combination of one-off factors and broader cost inflation. Gross margins were impacted by around 600 basis points due to trade investments made for stock liquidation. Additionally, cocoa price inflation contributed to another 400 basis points of pressure on margins.
Deputy managing director Chitrank Goel attributed the muted performance partly to prolonged monsoons and transitional challenges linked to the GST framework. Operating expenses also increased as the company invested in establishing its standalone supply chain, operational systems and corporate infrastructure following the demerger.
Looking ahead, the management remains focused on a volume-driven growth strategy. To restore profitability, the company has initiated a cost productivity programme aimed at reducing non-consumer-facing costs. It is also working on building regional manufacturing networks to optimise logistics expenses and improve operational efficiency.
The commodity outlook for the near term remains mixed. Dairy prices are expected to remain firm due to tight supply conditions and rising fodder costs. Sugar prices may also move higher following increases in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP). While cocoa prices have moderated recently, currency depreciation has offset some of the potential cost relief for the company.
