Flipkart's New Quick-Commerce Service: How It's Competing with Zepto, Blinkit, and Instamart
Flipkart Minutes, aiming to capture a share of the rapidly growing 10-minute delivery market. |
Image: Flipkart
Image Courtesy: Mint
As the quick-commerce landscape heats up, Flipkart, the Walmart-owned e-commerce giant, has launched its new service.
This strategic move puts Flipkart in direct competition with established players like Zepto, Swiggy’s Instamart, and Zomato’s Blinkit.
Here's an in-depth look at how Flipkart is positioning itself in this fierce competition and what it means for the industry.
Flipkart Enters the Quick-Commerce Arena
Flipkart has recently introduced Flipkart Minutes, a quick-commerce service designed to deliver items like electronics, smartphones, and other products within 10-15 minutes.
Initially, the service is available in select parts of Bengaluru, including HSR Layout, Gunjur, Bellandur, and Kadubeesanahalli—areas known for their high demand for quick delivery services.
“The service has gone live in select parts of Bengaluru,” a source revealed. “The idea is to keep perfecting it first and then expand.” Flipkart is preparing to set up around 100 fulfillment centers to support its quick-commerce operations, aiming to be ready for the festive season this year.
Competition and Market Dynamics
The quick-commerce sector is increasingly competitive, with firms like Zepto, Swiggy’s Instamart, and Zomato’s Blinkit already established in the space.
According to industry sources, these players' 15-20 minute delivery services are significantly impacting sales for Flipkart and Amazon.
Flipkart, however, is not new to fast deliveries. The company has already implemented same-day delivery across multiple categories, serving millions of customers in 20 cities, including both metro and non-metro regions.
While Flipkart is expanding its reach, it is also exploring quick-commerce options to meet rising consumer demands.
Strategic Moves and Investments
Flipkart’s efforts to enter the quick-commerce space come amid significant investments and competition.
Google recently invested $350 million in Flipkart as part of a larger $1 billion funding round. This investment is expected to bolster Flipkart’s capacity to compete with rivals like Amazon, Reliance Jio Mart, Tata Digital, and quick-commerce players such as Blinkit and Zepto.
Quick-Commerce Growth and Rival Strategies
Blinkit:
Zomato-owned Blinkit is aggressively expanding its dark store network, planning to increase its count from 639 to 2,000 by the end of 2026.
Blinkit’s quick-commerce segment has outpaced its food delivery business in terms of growth, with significant increases in both revenue and gross order value (GOV). The company’s GOV stood at Rs 4,923 crore in the June quarter, up from Rs 4,027 crore the previous quarter.
Image: Zepto & Blinkit
Image Courtesy: The Business Rule
Zepto:
Zepto is also expanding rapidly, with plans to double its dark store network to 700 by March 2025. The company recently raised $665 million in funding, which has doubled its valuation to $3.6 billion. This investment is a testament to the strong growth and potential of the quick-commerce sector.
Conclusion
The quick-commerce sector is evolving quickly, with major players like Flipkart, Zepto, Blinkit, and Instamart pushing the boundaries of fast delivery.
Flipkart's new service, Flipkart Minutes, is a strategic move to compete in this high-stakes market. As the industry grows and adapts, these companies' ability to innovate and scale will determine their success.
For now, Flipkart’s entry into quick-commerce highlights the intense competition and rapid evolution within the e-commerce and delivery sectors.
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