New Delhi. You feel like drinking tea with bread before going to office. When you reach the kitchen, you find that both tea leaves and bread are finished. You take out your phone and place an order on the online platform and go to the bathroom to take a bath. 

There may be a knock on the door before you even get out of the bath, sir... your orderThis is the magic of quick commerce. In this, the goods you need reach you in a very short time. Usually within half an hour. This service has made a deep penetration among urban digital consumers, it has become an important part of their lives. Now quick commerce companies are eyeing the consumers living in small cities and towns.

Big companies in quick commerce?

Currently, there are three major players in the quick commerce segment. Zomato's BlinkIt, Swiggy's Instamart and Zepto. All of them are competing to overtake each other, as there is no major difference in their market share right now.

News agency IANS quoted industry experts as saying that quick grocery commerce has been less successful in other countries of the world, but in India it is writing a new chapter of success.

However, Quick Commerce was successful to some extent in Pakistan. Airlift Express, which provides instant delivery of grocery items, was also on the verge of becoming the country's first unicorn. But, it too was ruined soon.

Why was Quick Commerce successful in India?

According to a report by Emkay Global Financial Services, the population density in India is quite high. Also, there are plenty of grocery stores on every street. In such a situation, companies like Blinkit and Zepto get an opportunity to provide their services at a very low cost.

The young generation (GenZ) is ordering the goods they need online every day. Initially, these platforms used to deliver only grocery items. But, soon they expanded their scope to all segments. This includes everything from flour-pulses to vegetables and soap-shampoo along with shaving products.

Customers are getting convenience in ordering goods from Quick Commerce. Many times things are available here at less than the market rate. You do not even have to go to the market. This saves your time and you also get the goods at your doorstep.

The Growing Value of Quick Commerce

Online food delivery platform Zomato had bought instant grocery delivery company Blinkit (Zomato-Blinkit Deal), formerly known as Grofers, for around Rs 4,500 crore in 2022. According to reputed brokerage Goldman Sachs, Zomato's food delivery business has a lower share in its total earnings, while Quick Commerce has a higher share.

Blinkit has high SKU (stock keeping unit) availability. Its order fulfillment rate is also better. It also has more customer data. Due to its excellent service, its average order value (AOV) is the highest in the industry. This has also helped Zomato to increase its profits.

Companies are increasing dark stores

Quick commerce companies are constantly increasing the number of their dark stores. Dark stores are actually like warehouses of companies. Companies store their products here, but you cannot go there directly and make purchases. You have to place an order online. Then the company will deliver it to the address you provide.

How big is the quick commerce market?

A report by market intelligence firm RedSeer shows that India's quick commerce market is growing rapidly. It grew 77 percent year-on-year to $2.8 billion in terms of gross merchandise value (GMV) last year.