Quick Summary
Up until a few years ago, buying something online and having it delivered in 10-15 minutes was unheard of. Now, a customer can order a packet of popcorn before starting a movie and have it delivered before even the pre-credits finish. That’s what Quick Commerce is.
This “10 minute delivery” model has fundamentally disrupted the eCommerce industry. People are getting their food orders in 30 minutes and groceries in 15 minutes. So all retailers are changing their entire supply chains to prioritize micro-fulfillment.
Let’s take a look at what quick commerce is, how it works, its benefits, challenges, and where it stands in the current and future market. So we begin.
Quick Commerce, also known as Q-commerce, is the latest eCommerce model with perks like on-demand, ultra-fast delivery through dark stores for rapid fulfillment. Speed and convenience is a priority with this model. Consumers can use it for small but urgent purchases rather than going to physical stores.
Around the Covid-19 pandemic era, people were looking for a way to satisfy their food cravings and get their daily household requirements conveniently, without leaving their house.
While giants like Amazon have already nailed the “Infinite shelf” model, people often have some immediate needs. Like, an ingredient missing from a recipe or maybe a sudden craving. That’s why Quick Commerce, despite existing for a while, gained traction a few years ago.
To ensure the consumers get their products as soon as possible, quick commerce operators set up a mesh of sorting hubs and dark stores. It makes the chain of logistics time and cost-efficient.
The long-term viability is fueled by the consumers’ desire for convenience and immediate needs. It’s the perfect bridge between physical retail stores and standard eCommerce.
Let’s compare this new, revered shopping model with its traditional counterpart.
| Feature | Quick Commerce | Traditional eCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery Speed | Within minutes to an hour (typically 15-30 minutes) | Days to weeks |
| Product Range | Limited, focused on essentials, frequently purchased items | Wide variety of products, often including niche items |
| Inventory | Held in strategically located micro-fulfillment centers (MFCs) | Stored in larger warehouses, often further from customers |
| Logistics | Hyperlocal, optimized routes, last-mile delivery focused | Regional/national, complex supply chains |
| Order Size | Typically smaller, individual items or small baskets | Can range from single items to large orders |
| Target Audience | Consumers seeking immediate gratification and convenience | Broader audience, including those planning purchases |
| Pricing | Often slightly higher due to delivery costs | Generally lower prices due to economies of scale |
| Technology | Real-time inventory, route optimization, delivery tracking | Order management systems, inventory databases |
| Focus | Speed and convenience | Selection and price |
While traditional eCommerce emphasizes selection and price, qCommerce prioritizes speed and convenience.
Whichever model you want to implement for your business, hire our dedicated eCommerce developers.
The most significant part of quick commerce is the network of micro fulfillment centers (dark stores) used to hold the inventory. Then advanced logistics are used to deliver the orders in record times.
Q-commerce is an evolution of traditional eCommerce, so it has all the key elements of the latter. You can see these elements and more in work in the following process.
The speed and efficiency of Quick Commerce is achieved through integrated technology. It includes a real-time inventory management and geospatial routine algorithm for efficient delivery.
There’s no single reason driving the growth of quick commerce. It’s a combination of supply, demand, and changing ecosystem. Let’s discuss them one-by-one.
Some years ago, Amazon introduced next day deliveries for customers’ convenience. But now, the next day feels too long and slow, especially when it comes to groceries and household essentials.
Quick commerce bridges the gap between traditional eCommerce and physical outlets. Consumers now get their orders delivered in 10-30 minutes, which has completely changed their expectations. It’s turned convenience into a critical purchase driver for the millennials and Gen-Z.
Most of the quick commerce retailers are set up on mobile applications. Frictionless apps allow for one-tap reordering, seamless payments, and real-time tracking. The integrated ecosystem creates habitual, impulse-driven purchases directly from the mobile. Anyone can shop at any time, be it while cooking or chilling mid-breaks while working.
For many, paying the convenience fee (like delivery fees and handling fees) lets you reclaim hours spent on errands. Quick commerce solves the time scarcity that comes with today’s on-demand lifestyle.
There are several other factors driving the growth of quick commerce, and the classic examples of these drivers in action can be seen in the next section.
Quick commerce has been a beneficial segment in the US market with a revenue of over $62 billion in 2025. The growth comes from a focus on ultra-fast delivery (< 1 hour) of groceries and household essentials, thanks to micro-fulfillment centers located close to the customers.
US labor laws introduce minimum wage and overtime for the delivery riders and workers at the fulfillment centers. That means higher operating costs and better worker classification, unlike the low-wage markets like India.
But still, quick commerce has been on a constant rise in the US and a few classic examples can be seen in the next section.
Quick commerce has gained tremendous momentum around the globe and the USA is among the top markets. The growth was fueled by the Covid-19 pandemic and Gen Z audience. Let’s discuss the top players offering Q-commerce in the USA.
Instacart is used by customers to connect with local retailers’s real-time inventory via personal shoppers. Rather than holding inventory in dark stores, it uses a network of local retailers (supermarkets, pharmacies, pet shops, etc.) to deliver the groceries and more. Instacart creates a digital layer over traditional grocery; ensuring deliveries in under an hour.
Amazon Fresh offers ultrafast, same-day delivery of fresh groceries through dedicated warehouses and Whole Foods stores as well. It leverages Amazon’s logistics as well as predictive analytics for local inventory. And it integrates with the Prime ecosystem to provide seamless grocery subscriptions for the members.
DoorDash, the food delivery giant, expanded into quick commerce with DashMart through its chain of dark stores. It holds a range of select items and also partners with national retailers like Albertsons for rapid grocery delivery via a massive driver fleet.
Postmates, acquired by Uber, is a pioneer of the on-demand delivery model. Under the Uber ecosystem, customers order through Postmates while the orders are fulfilled through Cornershop in major markets. It utilizes existing merchant partnerships and Uber’s vast driver network for speedy and convenient grocery deliveries.
Gorillas, a European player, emphasizes a curated selection of products alongside rapid delivery. They’ve built a strong brand identity and focus on providing a seamless customer experience. Their focus is on urban centers, where speed and convenience are highly valued.
Jokr differentiates itself by focusing on a hyperlocal approach and a curated assortment of frequently purchased items. They aim to become an essential part of the local community, providing quick access to daily needs. Their emphasis is on simplifying everyday life for their customers.
GoPuff, a US-based company, has expanded its offerings beyond just groceries to include snacks, drinks, household goods, and even over-the-counter medications. They’ve positioned themselves as a convenient solution for a wide range of immediate needs, catering to a broad customer base.
These are just a few examples of the many quick commerce companies that are popping up in the USA and around the world. You can hire dedicated eCommerce developers from BrainSpate to design custom logistics for your quick commerce operations.
Quick Commerce is undeniably an outstanding eCommerce model ensuring convenience, speed, and higher sales through impulse buys. But, of course, there are some limitations, like higher operational costs, thin profit margins, and more. Let’s discuss the benefits to start with.
So you see, quick commerce has both benefits and limitations. It excels at speed, convenience, and instant demand satisfaction. But the limitations of this eCommerce model involve profitability issues and limited product range.
Quick commerce has undeniably reshaped consumer expectations, demonstrating the power of on-demand delivery in our increasingly fast-paced world. While the allure of instant gratification fuels its growth, the industry faces significant hurdles, from profitability concerns to logistical complexities.
As technology advances and consumer preferences shift, qCommerce will likely play an increasingly prominent role in the retail landscape.
So, if you want to dive into this eCommerce model with the best product, let’s connect today!
qCommerce focuses on everyday essentials, frequently purchased items, and impulse buys. This often includes groceries, snacks, beverages, household goods, personal care products, over-the-counter medications, and sometimes even electronics or other convenience items.
Profitability is a major concern. The high costs of logistics, infrastructure, and marketing can make it difficult for q-commerce companies to turn a profit. Other challenges include managing inventory effectively, dealing with competition, and navigating regulatory hurdles.
These are small, strategically located warehouses used by q-commerce companies to store inventory close to customers. They’re called “dark stores” because they’re not open to the public; they function solely as fulfillment centers for online orders. MFCs are crucial for enabling rapid delivery.