Top 5 Quick Commerce Brands in India Disrupting E-Commerce in 2025
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The days of waiting 2–3 days for delivery are long gone. Today’s consumers don’t just want convenience—they expect it. And in urban India, where time is currency, quick commerce (Q-commerce) is emerging as the fastest-growing frontier in retail innovation.
Q-commerce platforms promise ultra-fast deliveries—within 10 to 30 minutes—for everything from groceries and personal care to electronics and daily essentials. This shift isn’t just a trend; it’s a transformation. With the rise of digital-first buyers, expanding smartphone usage, and growing urban density, India is quickly becoming a global hotspot for hyperfast retail.
Backed by deep-pocketed investors and powered by cutting-edge logistics, these platforms are rewriting the rules of e-commerce. Whether it’s enabling a last-minute dinner recipe or fulfilling urgent medicine orders, Q-commerce is blurring the line between online shopping and offline immediacy.
In this blog, we’ll explore the explosive rise of the Indian quick commerce industry, unpack the key drivers fueling its growth, and shine a spotlight on five trailblazing brands that are redefining speed, scale, and service in e-retail.
Quick Commerce Market: Future and Key Growth Factors
The quick commerce market in India is on an aggressive growth trajectory. What began with rapid grocery deliveries has transformed into a robust, tech-enabled retail segment.
According to RedSeer, the Indian Q-commerce sector is poised to touch $5.5 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of over 45%. This momentum is backed by increasing consumer demand for instant gratification, rise in nuclear families, and the changing urban lifestyle where convenience often trumps price.
India’s top metros are not alone in embracing Q-commerce. Tier II and Tier III cities are also showing rapid adoption due to improved last-mile logistics, smartphone penetration, and the demand for household essentials in real time.
What Are The Growth Drivers Of Quick Commerce?
1. Urbanization and Mobility: As more people move to cities and adopt fast-paced lifestyles, the need for instant delivery services has skyrocketed.
2. Millennial and Gen Z Preferences: The majority of India’s population is under 35, valuing time and convenience, leading to a preference for instant delivery services. These digital natives expect everything on-demand. Be it groceries, gadgets, or grooming kits—they want it all in minutes.
2. VC and Corporate Funding: Companies are heavily investing in infrastructure to ensure rapid deliveries, with Zepto operating over 250 dark stores across ten metropolitan areas. Startup like Blinkit also have attracted massive funding, which is being used to build dark stores, optimize logistics, and scale operations.
3. Dark Store Model: The rise of strategically placed micro-fulfillment centers helps brands deliver in under 30 minutes without compromising inventory control.
4. Smart Technology: From AI-driven demand forecasting to dynamic route planning, Q-commerce thrives on the backbone of real-time tech.
5 Quick Commerce Companies in India Disrupting Ecommerce via Quick Delivery
1. Zepto
Founded by two Stanford dropouts in 2021, Zepto offers 10-minute deliveries across major Indian metros and has quickly become a favorite for Gen Z and millennials.
What Sets Zepto Apart?
- Speed and Efficiency: Zepto promises deliveries within 10 minutes, leveraging its extensive network of dark stores.
- Technological Integration: Utilizes advanced algorithms for inventory management and delivery optimization.
Business Model Strategy
Zepto’s model focuses on hyperlocal deliveries, ensuring products are sourced and delivered within a specific radius, reducing delivery times and operational costs.
- Operates over 250 dark stores in 10+ cities.
- AI-based inventory prediction to reduce stockouts.
- Hyperlocal delivery ecosystem integrated with real-time order tracking.
ROI of Adopting Q-Commerce with Zepto’s Approach
By emphasizing speed and reliability, Zepto has built a loyal customer base, leading to increased order volumes and customer retention.
- Lower average delivery time = higher order volume.
- High user retention and app stickiness due to consistent reliability.
- Scalable fulfillment model aiding expansion to Tier II cities.
2. Blinkit (formerly Grofers)
Blinkit pivoted to Q-commerce in 2022 and is now backed by Zomato. Known for its 10–20 minute delivery promise, Blinkit is a key player in North and West India.
Brand Evolution: From Grofers to Blinkit
The rebranding marked a strategic shift towards Q-commerce, focusing on delivering a wide range of products within minutes.
Unique Tech & Delivery Model
- Infrastructure Expansion: Added 368 stores and 1.3 million square feet of warehousing space in the last two quarters.
Business Model Strategy
- Partnered with Zomato for last-mile delivery synergy.
- Added over 368 new stores and 1.3 million sq. ft. of warehousing.
- Focused heavily on dark stores and rider incentives.
ROI of Adopting Q-Commerce with Blinkit’s Approach
Blinkit’s aggressive expansion and integration with Zomato’s platform have enhanced its market reach, offering customers a seamless shopping experience and driving revenue growth.
- Enhanced operational efficiency and wider SKU availability.
- Growth in average order value post strategic partnerships.
- Higher market penetration across metro cities.
3. Swiggy Instamart
Building on Swiggy’s established logistics framework, Instamart delivers groceries and daily essentials in 15–30 minutes across 100+ cities.
Backed by Food Delivery Experience
Swiggy’s existing logistics network provided a solid foundation for Instamart’s operations, facilitating swift deliveries.
Smart Inventory and Logistics Models
- Expansion: Swiggy Instamart has expanded its quick commerce services to 100 cities across India, driven by increasing demand in tier 2 and tier 3 markets.
Business Model Strategy + Performance Snapshot
Instamart’s integration with Swiggy’s platform offers customers a unified experience, boosting order frequency and customer loyalty.
- Shares delivery fleet and data infrastructure with Swiggy.
- Offers over 3,000 products with frequent SKU updates.
- Expanded to tier II and III cities aggressively post-2023.
ROI Learnings
- Increased cross-sell opportunities with Swiggy Food.
- Higher customer LTV via subscriptions (Swiggy One).
- Efficient inventory turnover via smart stock replenishment.
4. BigBasket Now (part of Tata Digital)
BigBasket Now is Tata’s quick delivery play. BigBasket has leveraged its extensive experience in grocery delivery to enter the Q-commerce space with BigBasket Now.
Building on Grocery Delivery Leadership
BigBasket Now offers 10- to 20-minute delivery of groceries and everyday essentials in most urban cities.
Leveraging Tata Ecosystem
Access to Tata’s vast resources and infrastructure has enabled BigBasket to scale operations efficiently, ensuring a wide product assortment and reliable service.
Business Model Strategy
- Leverages Tata’s warehousing and sourcing capabilities.
- Centralized picking, local delivery approach.
- Offers curated baskets for faster checkouts.
ROI Learnings
- Lower churn due to brand trust.
- Strong B2B play via Tata’s existing network.
- Efficient resource utilization through parent ecosystem.
5. Amazon Fresh
Amazon Fresh has steadily scaled its quick grocery delivery operations in India, leveraging Amazon’s vast supply chain and tech infrastructure. With a strong presence in urban metros, it is expanding rapidly into suburban clusters, where competition is heating up. By integrating Q-commerce into its existing Prime ecosystem, Amazon aims to retain customers and offer bundled value.
Business Model Strategy
- Integrated into the Amazon app for wider access.
- Expanded into over 20 Indian cities with 2-hour delivery slots.
- Robust backend warehousing powered by AI.
ROI Learnings
- Seamless cross-sell with Amazon Prime.
- Customer loyalty driven by convenience and reliability.
- Synergistic fulfillment through Amazon’s delivery network.
Challenges With Quick Commerce Model and Their Solutions
1. Managing High Order Volumes
- Challenge: Order surges during peak hours or festivals overwhelm delivery systems.
- Solution: Deploy AI-based load balancing to reroute orders based on store capacity, and incentivize idle riders during non-peak hours.
2. Demand Forecasting Inaccuracies
- Challenge: Seasonal and regional variations make demand forecasting complex.
- Solution: Use machine learning algorithms trained on regional festivals, weather, and hyperlocal data to fine-tune inventory decisions.
3. Fulfilling Timely Deliveries
- Challenge: Urban traffic and last-mile congestion impact the 10-minute promise.
- Solution: Optimize micro-zone mapping and dynamic route assignments with traffic API integrations.
4. Technological Limitation
- Challenge: Legacy systems can’t support live updates and real-time coordination.
- Solution: Shift to headless, API-first architecture allowing seamless integration across POS, inventory, and logistics apps.
5. Inefficient Reporting Solutions
- Challenge: Most small vendors lack insight into sales or delivery KPIs.
- Solution: Build unified dashboards that visualize order data, rider behavior, inventory turnover, and customer trends.
6. Disjointed IT Architecture
- Challenge: Siloed systems hinder cross-functional coordination.
- Solution: Adopt ERP-integrated Q-commerce stacks with shared modules for order, stock, and vendor management.
How To Adopt Q-Commerce Model With Cutting-Edge Solutions From Codiant
Codiant is a full-suite digital transformation partner that helps you launch, scale, and optimize your quick commerce business with tailored tech solutions. Let’s dive into the key capabilities:
1. Smart Geo-Targeted Storefronts
Codiant enables you to build a hyperlocal marketplace that’s completely customized by region, city, or ZIP code. Whether you’re a startup or an enterprise brand, the solution is designed to support real-time local inventories and instant delivery.
With seamless store geofencing, real-time delivery ETAs, and location-based product visibility, your customers always see what’s available near them.
2. Dealer-Powered Marketplaces
Enable local retailers and dealers to list and manage their stock with smart vendor logins, inventory syncing, and dynamic pricing features.
Looking to empower local dealers and vendors under your Q-commerce umbrella? Codiant offers a dealer-powered marketplace framework that enables sellers to manage their own stock, prices, and delivery preferences.
From smart vendor dashboards to auto-synced inventories and custom pricing models, every element is built for efficiency and scalability.
3. Complete Vendor Control Center
Manage hundreds of sellers from a single admin dashboard. Codiant’s vendor management system suite is built for operational transparency and control.
Onboard, verify, and monitor vendor performance with built-in document upload, commission rules, payout scheduling, and multi-role access.
Benefits of Codiant’s Vendor Management:
- Real-time SKU and inventory visibility
- Sales performance analytics for vendors
- Easy onboarding/offboarding workflows
4. Region-Specific Store Management
Running operations across cities or states? Codiant gives you a centralized platform to manage multiple Q-commerce stores while maintaining local flavor.
You can control pricing, inventory, visibility, and promotions for each store, all under one backend CMS.
Benefits:
- Regional control with affiliate-based setups
- Zip code-specific promotions and shipping logic
- Separate tax settings and product catalogs
5. Experience-Rich Mobile Apps
Your customers expect convenience—and Codiant delivers it through high-performance Android and iOS apps that are feature-rich and fully customizable.
From voice-based product search to cart reordering and digital wallet integration, every feature is optimized for one-tap shopping.
Other Features to Add:
- Push notifications for flash deals
- QR code-enabled loyalty systems
- Live order tracking with ETA countdown timers
6. Optimized Delivery Crew Operations
Codiant’s delivery partner app helps your fleet deliver faster and smarter. Riders get optimized delivery routes, in-app support, and secure OTP-based drop-off verification.
Perfectly suited for high-order volume cities and dynamic delivery networks.
7. LiveSync Inventory Management
Get complete control over your inventory across multiple stores and warehouses. Codiant helps you avoid stockouts, reduce wastage, and forecast demand more accurately.
With real-time syncing and batch tracking, you’re always a step ahead in fulfillment planning.
Benefits:
- FIFO stock movement
- Auto-alerts for low or expired items
- Higher inventory turnover
8. Agile Fulfillment & Warehouse Management System
Need to streamline operations at the backend? Codiant’s warehouse management system offers barcode-based picking, AI-driven restocking, and real-time order batching.
This system ensures faster fulfillment, minimal errors, and a truly agile backend.
9. Conversion-Boosting Marketing Toolkit
Driving repeat purchases is key in Q-commerce. Codiant’s marketing suite gives you all the tools to build engagement and conversions.
You can run geo-segmented campaigns, offer digital coupons, push instant alerts, and analyze campaign performance in real-time.
Cost to Develop a Quick E-commerce App
Creating a quick commerce platform with a professional app development partner requires investment in both technology and operational infrastructure. Whether you choose to hire individual developers or partner with a specialized company like Codiant, it’s essential to understand the full cost breakdown involved. Here’s a detailed look:
Quick commerce demands more than just speed—it requires intelligent technology, frictionless UX, and robust backend systems. If you’re planning to enter the Q-commerce race, here’s what goes into building a platform like Zepto or Blinkit.
App Development (iOS and Android)
The complexity of a quick commerce app—featuring live tracking, smart filters, push notifications, and multi-payment integration—impacts cost. For customer and delivery agent apps built for both Android and iOS, the development typically ranges from $35,000 to $200,000.
Backend Development
A robust backend system is essential to support inventory management, logistics coordination, order flows, and admin controls. The development cost for such a system ranges from $45,000 to $90,000.
Logistics & Delivery Network Setup
Building your delivery fleet and setting up dark stores or hyperlocal fulfillment centers significantly influences startup costs. Depending on city size and scale, initial logistics setup can range from $600,000 to $1,200,000.
Technology Integrations
Advanced features like AI-driven route optimization, demand forecasting, and inventory automation require significant tech investment. This cost typically ranges from $140,000 to $300,000.
Marketing & Customer Acquisition
In a competitive space, a dedicated marketing budget is necessary to drive downloads, engagement, and brand visibility. Digital ads, influencer campaigns, and app store optimization services can push costs between $145,000 to $600,000.
Total Cost Range
Depending on your business model and region of operation, the complete cost to develop a quick commerce app can range from $900,000 to $3,000,000.
Pro Tip: Building from scratch isn’t the only route. At Codiant, we offer customizable Q-commerce starter kits that save time and budget—while giving you full flexibility.
Want a personalized estimate or demo?
How Codiant Helps with Quick Commerce App Development
The landscape of quick commerce app development demands more than just standard coding—it requires a strategic partner who understands the unique operational, technical, and scalability challenges of ultra-fast delivery. That’s where Codiant comes in.
With over a decade of experience in crafting enterprise-grade mobile and web applications, Codiant supports startups and large enterprises with tailored Q-commerce solutions—designed for rapid scaling, frictionless user journeys, and future-ready innovation. From design to delivery, we work closely with clients to align app architecture with real-world logistics and business goals.
Why Brands Choose Codiant for Q-Commerce
- Custom App Development: End-to-end design and development of user-friendly mobile apps for buyers, delivery partners, and business admins.
- Technology Infrastructure: Backend platforms that support real-time order processing, multi-location inventory sync, and advanced analytics dashboards.
- Delivery Integration: Built-in or third-party logistics integration for live tracking, smart routing, and OTP-verified deliveries.
- Marketing & User Engagement: In-app promotions, loyalty rewards, and personalized notifications that increase app retention and customer LTV.
- Innovation Stack: Adoption of next-gen technologies including AI/ML, voice search, chatbots, and predictive analytics.
- Scalability & Support: Modular architecture that evolves with your business. Plus, 24/7 support and SLA-backed maintenance.
Ready to build a Q-commerce solution that delivers more than just speed?
Let’s build something powerful together.
Final Takeaway
Q-commerce is no longer a trend—it’s the new foundation of ecommerce in India. With the right tech stack, optimized delivery systems, and a customer-first approach, retailers can scale rapidly and sustainably.
Partner with a technology provider like Codiant to build your Q-commerce infrastructure from the ground up—designed to be fast, flexible, and future-proof.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick commerce (or Q-commerce) is the next evolutionary leap in e-commerce that focuses on ultra-fast deliveries—typically within 10 to 30 minutes. Unlike traditional e-commerce, which offers 1- to 3-day delivery timelines, Q-commerce leverages hyperlocal logistics, dark stores, and real-time inventory management to fulfill immediate needs—groceries, daily essentials, medicine, etc.,—almost instantly.
While traditional e-commerce excels in variety and planned purchases, quick commerce caters to the “need-it-now” moments—offering fewer SKUs, but delivering with remarkable speed and convenience.
The future of quick commerce in India is incredibly promising, backed by shifting consumer behavior, rising urban density, and advancements in last-mile delivery technology. According to market forecasts, the Indian Q-commerce market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 45% and surpass $5.5 billion by 2025.
As tech enablers like AI-driven logistics, predictive inventory, and route optimization mature, Q-commerce will go beyond just grocery delivery—expanding into healthcare, personal care, electronics, and even B2B fulfillment. For businesses, now is the ideal time to adopt scalable Q-commerce architectures to stay ahead in this high-velocity market.
Yes, but with a strategic approach. While operational costs are high in the early stages due to infrastructure, rider management, and inventory setup, Q-commerce becomes profitable through unit economics and smart automation.
Startups that invest in:
- Technology-first operations (AI-based demand planning, real-time tracking),
- Lean delivery models (dark stores, cluster-based dispatch),
- Customer retention (subscriptions, loyalty rewards)
…are seeing significant repeat orders and improved margins. The key is to build for scale with efficiency, rather than rushing to expand without backend optimization.
Q-commerce platforms follow a multi-pronged revenue model:
- Product Markups: Charging slightly more than retail for urgent deliveries.
- Delivery Fees: Especially during peak hours or for low-value orders.
- Commission from Sellers: If the platform operates as a marketplace, vendors are charged a service fee or commission per sale.
- Subscription Plans: Offering benefits like free delivery or early access to discounts for a recurring fee (e.g., Zepto Pass, Swiggy One).
- Ad Placement and Sponsored Listings: Promoting certain products or vendors on the app.
Well-structured platforms focus on improving AOV (Average Order Value) and LTV (Lifetime Value) through intelligent personalization and user engagement.
Launching a Q-commerce business involves more than just building an app. It requires end-to-end operational, technological, and logistical planning. Here’s a step-by-step framework:
- Market Research & Category Focus – Identify your niche: grocery, pharma, essentials, etc.
- Tech Stack Selection – Build a robust platform with features like GPS, real-time inventory, order batching, etc.
- Partner with Fulfillment & Delivery Teams – Set up dark stores or partner with local retailers and a reliable rider fleet.
- Inventory & Demand Forecasting – Use AI to predict popular SKUs and minimize stockouts.
- Launch with Local Campaigns – Target early adopters with city-specific promotions.
- Iterate Fast – Optimize your model based on real-time insights and customer behavior.
Partnering with an experienced digital product company like Codiant can help you launch fast with ready-to-deploy Q-commerce solutions, scalable tech, and post-launch support.
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