Flipkart to venture into the quick commerce space.

Flipkart, India’s leading e-commerce giant, is gearing up to enter the quick commerce sector, intensifying competition in the market. With plans to launch rapid delivery services within the next six to eight weeks, Flipkart aims to establish its presence in at least a dozen cities, including Bengaluru, Delhi (NCR), and Hyderabad, by building a network of dark stores.

This move by Flipkart comes amidst growing anticipation that quick commerce will soon dominate the Indian e-commerce landscape. A 2022 Redseer report estimates the total addressable market for short commerce in India to be worth approximately $45 billion. Recent successes of quick commerce startups like Zomato’s Blinkit, Swiggy’s Instamart, and Zepto have bolstered investor confidence in the viability of this model.

Flipkart’s recent strategic launches, including same-day delivery in 20 cities and the introduction of flower and cake delivery during the Valentine’s season in February 2024, hint at its entry into the quick commerce space. Analysts speculate that Flipkart’s extensive product catalogue, spanning FMCG, grocery, daily essentials, electronics, and fashion, will give it a competitive edge over existing players.

In response to inquiries, a Flipkart spokesperson highlighted the company’s commitment to enhancing delivery capabilities and meeting evolving customer expectations. Flipkart has made significant investments in enabling same-day delivery across various product categories, including mobiles, essential items, electronics, home appliances, fashion, books, and lifestyle products. The spokesperson hinted at further initiatives in the pipeline to ensure excellence in value, selection, and speed.

Quick commerce has witnessed rapid growth in India’s top 15 cities over the past three years, with Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto emerging as the dominant players. Blinkit processes approximately 6 lakh orders daily, while Swiggy Instamart and Zepto handle around 5 lakh and 3 lakh orders daily, respectively. These players have been expanding their offerings steadily to cater to diverse customer demands.

As Flipkart gears up to enter the quick commerce segment, the competition is expected to intensify, driving innovation and enhancing customer experiences. With its established brand presence and extensive infrastructure, Flipkart is poised to disrupt the quick commerce market and capture a significant share of the burgeoning e-commerce sector in India.