Page 26 - ITLN January - February 2025

Special Report
Quick-commerce

to 3,000 square feet in size, they
stock between 1,500 and 5,000 high-
frequency items based on hyper-local
demand patterns.
According to the latest data, top
quick-commerce platforms such as
Swiggy Instamart, Blinkit, and Zepto
operate a combined total of around 2,000
dark stores across key cities in India.
The technology driving this system is
equally sophisticated. Machine learning
algorithms predict demand patterns
at the neighbourhood level, while AI-
powered, GPS-enabled routing systems A Blinkit dark store in
Ranchi, Jharkhand
optimise delivery paths in real time.
Roadcast, an Indian logistics tech quick commerce networks. Zomato has
company, offers a platform to optimise recently invested 500 crore into Blinkit.
delivery operations. Rahul Mehra, Co- The company is also expanding its
founder, highlights how the platform electronics range to include laptops,
supports dark store management, monitors, and printers, all delivered
“Roadcast supports dark store within 10 minutes. However, this service
management, optimising operations is currently available only in cities
through inventory integration, such as Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune,
automated order processing, and Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Lucknow.
seamless dispatch coordination. Similar to Zepto Café, Blinkit has
By offering real-time updates and launched Bistro, a new food delivery app.
predictive analytics, the platform helps However, Albinder Dhindsa, founder
businesses maintain inventory levels of Blinkit, announced on Twitter that
and reduce turnaround times.” this service is currently live in select
Leading platforms report that their Quick commerce's locations in Gurugram to evaluate its
dark stores can process an order within future is about speed, product market fit.
seconds to a few minutes of receipt, with convenience, and Taking it a step further, the company
delivery partners completing the last sustainability. With rising has recently launched an innovative
mile in under 10 minutes. ambulance service in Gurugram,
Siwanshu Mishra, Area Head of technologies like AI, providing emergency assistance within
Jharkhand at Blinkit, where the company robotics, and autonomous 10 minutes.
started its operations last year mentions delivery systems, logistics Swiggy Instamart has recently
that “the average order preparation time, is set for a significant announced its expansion to over 75
from picking the product in the dark transformation. cities and will soon launch a separate
store to handing it over to the delivery standalone app.
personnel, is about 2 minutes.” Ravi Goel BigBasket, owned by Tata Digital,
RapidShyp has also emerged as a prominent
The key players driving quick online quick commerce platform in
commerce in India announced plans to expand Zepto's India. The company, which rebranded
India's quick commerce market is operations to more than 50 cities. its quick commerce service as BBNow,
dominated by several key players, The company also has plans to launch is expected to launch the service in the
each with a unique approach. Zepto, a dedicated app for Zepto Café, focusing next three to four months.
founded in 2021, has grown rapidly, on the quick delivery of snacks and other
securing significant funding through its food products. The infrastructure challenge
exclusive focus on the quick commerce Blinkit (formerly Grofers), acquired Despite the sector's rapid growth,
model. The company reportedly by Zomato, leverages its parent infrastructure remains the most
operates over 300 dark stores across company's extensive delivery network significant hurdle in India's quick
India and plans to file for an initial and restaurant partnerships to offer both commerce landscape. While technology
public offering (IPO) in early 2025. groceries and ready-to-eat meals. The and consumer adoption have surged
Co-founder Aadit Palicha has also acquisition created one of India's largest forward, the physical challenges of
24
January - February 2025 www.itln.in