Quick commerce isn't just a trendy new model—it's a revolution in how people shop, and it caters perfectly to the modern consumer's needs. If you're thinking about starting your own business, this blog will take you through what it is, how it works, and how you can get started with your own quick commerce venture.
What is Quick Commerce?
Simply put, quick commerce focuses on delivering products in an unbelievably short time—usually within 10, 15, or 30 minutes. Imagine needing milk at the last moment before breakfast, and it's on your doorstep before you even finish setting the table. That’s the powerful draw of q-commerce.
Compared to traditional e-commerce, where delivery could take days, quick commerce thrives on speed. Thanks to carefully located dark stores and efficient logistics, orders are processed and delivered at lightning speed. It’s a hit especially for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) like groceries, essentials, and even ready-to-eat meals.
Zepto: A Quick Commerce Success Story
Zepto, founded by Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra, two young entrepreneurs still in their early 20s, is one of the fastest-growing players in this space. They’ve managed to hit more than 1 crore orders monthly, with their company's valuation now skyrocketing to 1.4 billion dollars (over ₹10,000 crore). This kind of success is no accident—it's the result of strategically placed dark stores and a well-oiled logistical machine.
What sets Zepto apart is their promise (and often delivered promise) of 10-minute deliveries in Tier-1 cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru. Their rapid growth shows the potential of quick commerce not just in big cities but, eventually, in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities as well.
Why Quick Commerce is Growing Fast
When we look at growth statistics, quick commerce is outpacing traditional e-commerce. While e-commerce grows at about 30% annually, quick commerce is leaping ahead at nearly 70% every year. By 2025, the quick commerce market in India is expected to hit $5 billion, with companies like Blinkit delivering 900,000 orders a month and growing at over 150% year-on-year.
This impressive growth is driven by a demand for instant satisfaction. People don’t want to wait two or three days for delivery, especially for everyday essentials. They want things now. And businesses that can deliver that instantly are setting themselves up for massive success.
The Quick Commerce Business Model
So, how does quick commerce actually work? Take a product you’ve ordered. For that product to arrive at your home in under 15 minutes, everything from order acceptance to packaging to delivery has to work in a tightly coordinated dance.
To fulfil this 10-15 minute promise, companies rely on dark stores, which are essentially small fulfilment centres located within a 3 km radius of where customers live. This proximity is vital because it’s quite obvious that if a store is 50 km away, no matter how fast your delivery boy moves, it’ll take over two hours to complete the process. By spreading dark stores across cities, companies ensure fast delivery times without needing large warehouses.
The same strategy works in services like Blinkit, with their promise of fast deliveries backed up by these localised stores, serving urban areas first before gradually moving into Tier-2 cities.
How to Get Started with Your Own Quick Commerce Startup
Here’s where it gets exciting. You too can build your own quick commerce business in your local area—and no, you don’t need a billion-dollar budget to do it. But there are some essential steps to keep in mind to ensure success.
1. Pick a Niche and Start Small
Don’t try to compete with Zepto on day one. Pick a category that people in your local area will always need on short notice. Groceries are obviously in high demand, especially essentials like milk, vegetables, butter, or even long-lasting items like potatoes, onions, and garlic. These products are staples, guaranteeing a steady stream of repeat customers.
You could also choose something more specialised. For example, exotic vegetables like broccoli, zucchini, or baby corn can set you apart from competitors. These are premium products that attract higher margins, and customers are happy to pay for them.
2. Develop a Mobile App
You need a smooth, easy-to-use mobile app to power your q-commerce business. Features like ease of ordering, real-time tracking, and payment integration are non-negotiable. But don’t worry, you don’t have to create everything from scratch. Services like Social Seller Academy offer professional mobile app development, starting from as low as ₹2,50,000.
Pro Tip: If you want to cut down on costs, you can also opt for a pre-built solution and customise it to your needs.
3. Partner with Local Suppliers
A major part of your business will depend on who you’re sourcing your products from. Ideally, partner with a reliable distributor or wholesaler who can supply products at a lower cost. Skipping the middleman or the large retail chains will help you boost your margins significantly.
Try to negotiate terms that give you more control over pricing, and always focus on maintaining strong relationships with your suppliers. In quick commerce, consistent stock availability is key!
4. Set Up Dark Stores
The dark store system is what allows Zepto and Blinkit to promise such lightning-fast deliveries. The best way to start small is by launching your own dark store right in the centre of your target area. Each store should cover no more than a 3 km radius to ensure deliveries stay within the promised 15 minutes.
If you’re targeting a less densely populated area, you might need to tweak this model. Perhaps placing each store within a 10 km radius might work for Tier-2 or Tier-3 cities. Remember, flexibility and optimisation are key.
5. Hire and Train Delivery Personnel
Let’s face it—no matter how good your mobile app or your store placement is, your success will also depend on the delivery boys who bring those goods to the customer’s doorstep. The good news? Services like Zomato and Swiggy have already created a large talent pool of delivery workers, so finding skilled people shouldn’t be a huge struggle.
If you’re in a smaller city, you may need to spend a bit more time training your delivery personnel, but the investment will pay off. Offer them incentives, and make them feel part of a team. A skilled delivery staff saves you time and keeps your customers happy.
Marketing Your Quick Commerce Business
Even with a great service, you won’t get far if nobody knows about your business. Marketing needs to be one of your biggest priorities, especially in the early days.
One highly effective—and surprisingly low-cost—strategy is advertising in local newspapers. Include a QR code for app downloads, and you’ll see how quickly downloads start rolling in. You can also go the digital route by using social media and local influencers to spread the word about your app.
Do not underestimate the power of word-of-mouth marketing. People love talking about a service that gets them what they need in 10 minutes flat. The faster and more reliable your service, the more they’ll spread the word.
Managing Costs and Profit Margins
While margins per transaction may seem slim in quick commerce, they add up fast. To run a sustainable business, aim for a profit margin of at least 30% per transaction. But remember—volume is everything in this business.
Your average order value (AOV) should ideally sit around ₹600 or more. If it’s lower than ₹500, you may run into trouble covering operational costs. Small daily staples like milk and bread shouldn’t be discounted either. They serve as the bread and butter (pun intended) of your order flow, ensuring daily transactions.
Handling Competition and Scaling Up
With giants like Zepto and Blinkit already dominating the space in Tier-1 cities, you might feel intimidated, but competition can also work to your advantage. You don’t have to go head-to-head with these big names immediately. Instead, consider launching in Tier-2 or smaller cities, where these large players haven’t established themselves yet.
If you’re successful, larger companies may even look to buy you out, giving you a significant payday! On the other hand, if you scale effectively, there’s no reason why you couldn’t keep running a profitable business for years to come.
Conclusions: Is Now the Time to Dive into Quick Commerce?
Now is your perfect opportunity to get into quick commerce—while the market is still in its early stages. India is rapidly becoming more digital, and consumers are looking for convenience more than ever. With the right team, tools, and strategy, you could find yourself running a highly profitable business in no time.
Whether you're looking to launch your own mobile app, set up dark stores, or create a logistics network, quick commerce opens doors to immense growth. And remember—the earlier you start, the bigger your advantage will be over newer entrants.
If you're ready to take the plunge, Social Seller Academy can help you with everything from consultation to full mobile app development. Just reach out, and we’ll help you turn your business idea into reality.
So, what are you waiting for? Start today!