Meesho’s Q2: Slimmer Losses, Bolder Moves
Here’s something you don’t see every quarter: Meesho cutting its net loss by a whopping 68% year-on-year, bringing it down to ₹132.4 crore. This isn’t just some fancy accounting trick; their operating revenue jumped 34% to ₹4,131.6 crore in Q2 FY27. For an Indian ecommerce player still battling big boys, that’s not trivial progress.
Is Meesho out of the woods? Not quite. But they’re moving in the right direction by tightening costs and boosting revenue at the same time. The core marketplace is still their money maker, thanks to more people actually buying (not just browsing) and existing users ordering more often, especially in Tier II and Tier III cities, where growth means something. The company’s gotten better at logistics, kept customers coming back, and started using AI to automate boring ops work. It’s not magic, but it’s starting to show up in the numbers.
But let’s not pretend it’s all rosy. Meesho is spending heavily on new bets: hyperlocal deliveries, digital finance products, and even building AI tools. These projects are burning cash right now, and it’s anybody’s guess when they’ll turn the corner. Management seems upbeat, hoping faster deliveries and smarter logistics will eventually pay for themselves. Maybe, maybe not. Still, it beats sitting still while others experiment.
The ₹75 crore pumped into their grocery segment is a clear signal. Online grocery in India is messy, tiny margins, tough competition, tricky delivery, but Meesho clearly sees potential. If it works, they grab a bigger slice of what could be a massive market. If it flops, it stings, but they’re apparently betting the upside is worth the pain.
The Festive Quarter and High Stakes
Q3 always brings extra drama, since the Diwali cycle can make or break an ecommerce player’s year. Meesho’s flagship sale, the ‘Mega Blockbuster Sale’, is moving from Q2 to Q3, so everyone’s expecting a spike in growth numbers. But it’s not a free lunch. To cash in on the festive season, companies have to spend big, on ads, discounts, supply chain, you name it. The next results will show whether these bets translate into real profit, or just more red ink dressed up with temporary sales.
Info Edge: Long-time CEO Steps Down
Meanwhile, over at Info Edge, the startup world just saw a pretty big shift. Hitesh Oberoi, who’s been running the show for nearly 27 years, is stepping down as CEO. The founder, Sanjeev Bikhchandani, will take over as executive vice chairman, managing director, and group CEO starting December 3, 2026. Oberoi isn’t vanishing though, he’ll stick around on the board, with more time for other interests like education, investing, and family. Under Oberoi, Info Edge didn’t just coast: consolidated net profit soared 87% year-on-year in Q2 FY27, hitting ₹649.8 crore. That’s a tough act to follow, and the transition could mean new priorities for Info Edge as competition heats up in India’s internet sector.
Why This Matters For Startups
Both stories, Meesho’s push for profits and Info Edge’s leadership shakeup, echo what’s happening across Indian startups. The days of endless losses and growth-at-all-costs are shifting. Whether you’re launching groceries or passing the CEO’s chair, choices now come with sharper consequences. Meesho is doubling down on expansion, even if it means bleeding a bit longer. Info Edge is betting that fresh leadership will keep its mojo going.
The real test isn’t just who survives, but who adapts when the script flips. As consumers change habits and bigger fish circle the pond, will bold bets and sharp pivots actually pay off? Or is there a ceiling for even the most ambitious players?
Source: https://inc42.com/buzz/meeshos-q2-report-card-info-edge-ceo-quits-more/
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