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Time of India
11-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
10-minute delivery boom fuels hyperlocal warehousing surge in urban and tier-2 cities
HighlightsThe demand for hyperlocal warehouses in India is outpacing supply, driven by quick-commerce platforms such as Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy Instamart, and BigBasket Now aiming to deliver products within 10-15 minutes. As quick-commerce companies expand, they are repurposing underutilized spaces like old neighborhood shops and defunct service apartments into efficient micro-fulfillment centers, which are essential for meeting the growing consumer demand for rapid delivery. Industry experts predict that India will require over 12 to 15 million square feet of small-format warehousing space in the next three years to support the projected growth of the quick-commerce sector, which is expected to reach $5.5 billion by 2025. The booming quick-commerce (Q-commerce) segment in India is fueling a rapid rise in demand for small, hyperlocal warehouses outstripping the supply. As platforms like Blinkit , Zepto , Swiggy Instamart , and BigBasket Now race to fulfill deliveries within 10-15 minutes, last-mile fulfillment centers—tucked into basements, small plots, and underutilized urban properties—are becoming critical infrastructure across metro cities and Tier-2 locations. According to experts, the demand is three times that of the new wave of hyperlocal warehouses—often no larger than 2,000 to 8,000 sq ft— located within dense residential neighborhoods. Additionally, underutilized spaces – such as old neighbourhood shops, defunct service apartments, and ground-floor office spaces – are being converted into highly efficient and profitable micro-fulfilment hubs. This 'The strategic repurposing allows the establishment of a dense network of hyper-local fulfilment centres, bringing inventory closer to the customer than ever before. This model not only optimizes delivery times to within minutes but also significantly reduces last-mile logistics costs, making quick commerce economically viable and scalable in densely populated urban environments,' said Anshuman Magazine, Chairman & CEO - India, South-East Asia, Middle East & Africa, CBRE The business model behind quick delivery is based on rapid inventory turnover and proximity to the customer base. As a result, companies are leasing multiple, small-format spaces instead of large centralized hubs. Each warehouse typically serves a radius of 2-3 km, enabling delivery within 10-12 micro-fulfillment centers stock fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), fresh produce, snacks, and beverages that can be delivered within minutes of order placement. Additionally lack of financial visibility for landlord and large corporates are making it difficult to attract a complaint property. According to J P Morgan, Zomato-owned Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart are accelerating the pace of dark store network expansion, while the IPO-bound Zepto is slowing down. It had earlier said in 2024 that the total count of dark stores will reach 700 March 2025. A recent research note from a global brokerage firm said that both Blinkit and Instamart added over 150 dark stores during the January-February period, while Zepto experienced a slowdown in its dark store additions. The brokerage estimates that Blinkit currently operates the largest dark store network in the country, with approximately 1,229 stores, surpassing Zepto, which has 1,147 dark stores. Additionally, these companies have reportedly reduced the average delivery time to under 10 minutes in over 70% of their active zones. 'Q-commerce companies are not just tenants anymore; they are now driving demand and influencing micro-markets,' says Vijay Ganesh, Managing Director, Industrial & Logistics Services, Colliers India . 'We are witnessing increased lease activity in areas like Andheri (Mumbai), Koramangala (Bengaluru), and Kukatpally (Hyderabad), where even ground-floor retail and idle parking spaces are being converted into dark stores.' While metros remain the hotbeds of Q-commerce activity, the next wave of growth is firmly taking root in Tier-2 cities such as Jaipur, Coimbatore, Nagpur, Lucknow, and Surat. Improved digital penetration, rising disposable income, and consumer demand for convenience are driving expansion beyond the traditional top six cities. Coimbatore and Indore are seeing a spike in short-term leases for 1,500–3,000 sq ft units. These aren't just warehousing deals—they are hybrid agreements with retail landlords looking for steady rentals in high-footfall areas. Local developers and real estate investors in these cities are increasingly converting underutilized properties into rentable dark store formats. In Jaipur, for example, a former banquet hall near Mansarovar was recently repurposed into a 24/7 fulfillment hub for a grocery delivery firm, generating a 20% higher rental yield than its previous use. As India's first integrated supply chain infrastructure platform, IndoSpace has set up its first such format–INLOGIS Chembur—a 150,000 sq. ft in-city warehousing hub in Mumbai. IndoSpace is scaling this model across major metros to unlock proximity, reduce delivery times, support hyperlocal fulfilment, and power the future of last-mile logistics. ' 'Designed for high-efficiency delivery with features like cargo elevators, EV charging, and solar panels, it caters to the surging quick commerce market projected to triple by 2027. With unit sizes from 5,000 to 35,000 sq. ft, INLOGIS enables rapid service to over half of Mumbai', said a source. The rise of hyperlocal warehousing is also subtly impacting rental dynamics in urban pockets. Rents for ground-floor spaces in residential-commercial mixed-use zones have jumped by 10-18% in key micromarkets since 2023, according to Knight Frank. 'We believe the future of urban logistics lies in Grade-A in-city warehousing and micro fulfillment centers,' said Vamsi from Sumadhura. 'With the Q-commerce boom driving demand for over over 10 dark stores per cluster in some metros, there's a clear need for optimized, compliant, and scalable urban logistics hubs. We are seeing strong traction for shared 3PL platforms, and our goal is to build flexible, multi-tenant spaces that enable this shift. By embedding hygiene, safety, and automation-readiness from day one, we aim to offer long-term value to operators. Our investment case shows these hubs can deliver returns on par with top-tier commercial assets,' Vamshi Karangula Vice President Sumadhura Group According to experts, demand for hyperlocal warehouses is poised to grow in tandem with the Q-commerce sector, which is projected to reach $5.5 billion by 2025, according to RedSeer Consulting. Industry estimates suggest that India may require over 12–15 million sq ft of small-format warehousing space in the next three years to meet delivery demand from urban and Tier-2 consumers. For developers, especially in land-constrained metros, this opens up a new monetization avenue. Even older commercial buildings, retail stores, and standalone houses can be repositioned as revenue-generating micro-hubs. 'Dark stores thrive on speed and efficiency, typically holding just 2–3 days of inventory to meet rapid order turnover. Their ability to pay higher rentals is driven by location—delivery time and household reach matter more than size. With limited organized supply, many are set up in repurposed residential, retail, or workshop spaces across cities,' said Chandranath Dey , India Head - Operation & Business Development, Logistics & Industrial, JLL. As the 10-minute delivery race heats up, India's real estate sector is not just enabling the change—it's being transformed by it. Quick-commerce platforms initially focused on groceries, fresh produce, and essentials are now diversifying their offerings to include electronics and personal care items, among other products."
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
AI Becoming the New Gorden Ramsey?: How AI is Sneaking into Your Kitchen.
A relationship that is beyond just personal assistants: Startups' involvement in the AI Food Revolution: Live Events AI is crammed into places you could never guess it could be: AI's contribution to health and sustainability: AI is silently revolutionizing a domain that nobody saw coming: the kitchen. It made its mark with sneak attacks in e-grocery apps like Swiggy Instamart , Big Basket, Blinkit, and Zepto via the quick little 'suggested for you' and 'you may also like' sections. Today, AI has been 'hard launching' itself as a private chef, creating a niche in food management, cooking, and diet planning by suggesting recipes based on leftovers in the fridge. This development is particularly beneficial for single professionals who live alone in today's fast-paced work-life integration in household appliances is no longer limited to personal assistants like 'Alexa' or 'Google Home.' Industry leaders such as 'Samsung' and 'LG' are etching AI into the kitchen appliances to deliver personalized food experiences. 'Samsung's Bespoke AI fridge,' for instance, not only keeps track of the content stored inside the fridge but also integrates with its fitness applications and dietary preferences to suggest meals tailored to the user's the same way, LG's ThinQ products communicate with one another, optimizing the time required to cook and the energy required, in accordance with the user's routine. AI's integration into kitchen appliances aims to de-complexify meal prep, reduce potential food waste, and promote healthy eating habits when the users aren't able to on their own. Like the urban dweller, balancing work and wellness on a startup segment of the industry is buzzing with innovative AI-driven solutions targeting meal prep and lessened food wastage. Companies such as DishGen use AI to curate recipe suggestions from leftovers readily available in the refrigerator, helping single professionals make the most out of what they have in a cost-effective and time-efficient also exist other AIs, such as 'FridgeAI' and 'LeftoverAI,' that focus on promoting food waste management by analyzing the leftover ingredients and suggesting creative recipes to satiate the user's cravings in a cost-efficient manner. These AI platforms dive into extensive recipe databases and nutrition sciences, making them valuable tools for diet- and budget-conscious users looking for convenience without taking a strike at their is fascinating to realize that this is just one part of AI's integration into our daily lives. Beyond fridges and ovens, startups have begun to explore AI's incorporation into blenders, rice cookers, spice organizers, and even grocery lists that sync conveniently with smart kitchens. This AI-everywhere approach re-writes home cooking as an effortless and customized promoting food waste management, healthy eating habits, and raising awareness about the significance of nutritional knowledge, AI-driven kitchen appliances and startups associated with meal prep aren't just extending convenience. Rather, they contribute to sustainability goals and improve public that notion doesn't exempt it from raising serious concerns about data privacy and user trust. Should AI really be entrusted with sensitive information like a user's diet and lifestyle preferences? As advancements in such technologies accelerate, it's crucial to strike a balance between innovation, transparency, and security.
Mint
10-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
‘One small mistake, and you're told to leave': Part-time worker reveals brutal reality behind 10-minute delivery
India's quick commerce industry is witnessing a boom, where companies such as Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, Flipkart Minutes, and Zepto are racing against time to deliver goods ordered online. However, people working in these companies face extreme physical and mental challenges, and many have shed light on the brutal reality behind the 10-minute delivery model. In a Reddit post, a social media user shared their 'part-time' experience working for Blinkit, an Indian quick commerce giant. 'I worked at Blinkit as a part-time picker and packer while studying, and the experience really opened my eyes,' said the Reddit user in their post. The user further alleged that people love the idea of getting groceries or snacks delivered to their doorstep in 10 minutes, without having an idea of what actually goes behind the 'ultrafast' service. 'The pressure on workers is next-level — and honestly, kind of scary,' said the Reddit user in the post. The warehouses of these quick commerce companies are also popularly known as 'dark stores' in the industry. The social media user highlighted how these warehouses are super small, packed with racks and items, and expected to operate nonstop. 'We're expected to run non-stop while picking orders. Like actually run, not walk fast. You're dodging other pickers, turning sharp corners, and racing against a timer,' said the user in the post. They also shared their experience of how once the user allegedly collided with a guy and broke their phone due to the constant rush and 'no safety'. 'We had to follow a timer called PPI (Per Picking Item). If it takes even a few extra seconds to find an item (maybe it's misplaced or out of stock), the manager tells you to log out and go home. The pressure from higher-ups is crazy, and managers just pass it on to the workers,' said the user in the post on Reddit. According to the social media post, this process is even harder for a full-time employee as they are allegedly unloading two to three trucks daily with manual labour, and working longer hours than scheduled. The Reddit user also claimed that the full-time staff often work without proper overtime, even in the 'stock cold rooms', which is physically tough, and when the part-timers don't work, all the workload comes down on the full-time staff members. 'These guys are constantly on their feet and barely get proper breaks. And if anything goes wrong, they get blamed,' the poster claimed. The Reddit post also alleged that there is no time for staff to breathe as the work puts 'nonstop pressure' on them for a pay that 'isn't worth it'. 'It's not safe. Workers run through tight spaces all day. Accidents are common. It messes with your head. There's nonstop pressure, no time to breathe. Zero tolerance for delays. One small mistake, and you're told to leave. The pay isn't worth it. The risk, stress, and treatment don't match what you earn,' said the social media user in the post. The Reddit user also alleged that the system of '10-minute delivery' is not built on efficiency, but rather on 'pushing workers to their limits'. 'Maybe it's time we care more about worker wellbeing than ultra-fast convenience,' they said in the post. Sharing the post based on real experiences, the user accepted that they used the help of AI to write the post 'clearly.' Queries sent to Blinkit's parent company, Eternal (formerly known as Zomato), remain unanswered. We will update the story when we get a response from the company. Queries were also sent to other 10-minute delivery service providers, including Swiggy Instamart, Zepto, and Flipkart, for their official response. Disclaimer: All the views and claims in this story are from the Reddit post. This story does not represent LiveMint's views on the subject.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
10-minute delivery boom fuels hyperlocal warehousing surge in urban and tier-2 India
The booming quick-commerce (Q-commerce) segment in India is fueling a rapid rise in demand for small, hyperlocal warehouses outstripping the supply. As platforms like Blinkit , Zepto , Swiggy Instamart , and BigBasket Now race to fulfill deliveries within 10-15 minutes, last-mile fulfillment centers—tucked into basements, small plots, and underutilized urban properties—are becoming critical infrastructure across metro cities and Tier-2 locations. According to experts, the demand is three times that of the new wave of hyperlocal warehouses—often no larger than 2,000 to 8,000 sq ft— located within dense residential neighborhoods. Additionally, underutilized spaces – such as old neighbourhood shops, defunct service apartments, and ground-floor office spaces – are being converted into highly efficient and profitable micro-fulfilment hubs. This 'The strategic repurposing allows the establishment of a dense network of hyper-local fulfilment centres, bringing inventory closer to the customer than ever before. This model not only optimizes delivery times to within minutes but also significantly reduces last-mile logistics costs, making quick commerce economically viable and scalable in densely populated urban environments,' said Anshuman Magazine, Chairman & CEO - India, South-East Asia, Middle East & Africa, CBRE The business model behind quick delivery is based on rapid inventory turnover and proximity to the customer base. As a result, companies are leasing multiple, small-format spaces instead of large centralized hubs. Each warehouse typically serves a radius of 2-3 km, enabling delivery within 10-12 micro-fulfillment centers stock fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), fresh produce, snacks, and beverages that can be delivered within minutes of order placement. Additionally lack of financial visibility for landlord and large corporates are making it difficult to attract a complaint property. According to J P Morgan, Zomato-owned Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart are accelerating the pace of dark store network expansion, while the IPO-bound Zepto is slowing down. It had earlier said in 2024 that the total count of dark stores will reach 700 March 2025. Live Events A recent research note from a global brokerage firm said that both Blinkit and Instamart added over 150 dark stores during the January-February period, while Zepto experienced a slowdown in its dark store additions. The brokerage estimates that Blinkit currently operates the largest dark store network in the country, with approximately 1,229 stores, surpassing Zepto, which has 1,147 dark stores. Additionally, these companies have reportedly reduced the average delivery time to under 10 minutes in over 70% of their active zones. 'Q-commerce companies are not just tenants anymore; they are now driving demand and influencing micro-markets,' says Vijay Ganesh, Managing Director, Industrial & Logistics Services, Colliers India . 'We are witnessing increased lease activity in areas like Andheri (Mumbai), Koramangala (Bengaluru), and Kukatpally (Hyderabad), where even ground-floor retail and idle parking spaces are being converted into dark stores.' While metros remain the hotbeds of Q-commerce activity, the next wave of growth is firmly taking root in Tier-2 cities such as Jaipur, Coimbatore, Nagpur, Lucknow, and Surat. Improved digital penetration, rising disposable income, and consumer demand for convenience are driving expansion beyond the traditional top six cities. Coimbatore and Indore are seeing a spike in short-term leases for 1,500–3,000 sq ft units. These aren't just warehousing deals—they are hybrid agreements with retail landlords looking for steady rentals in high-footfall areas. Local developers and real estate investors in these cities are increasingly converting underutilized properties into rentable dark store formats. In Jaipur, for example, a former banquet hall near Mansarovar was recently repurposed into a 24/7 fulfillment hub for a grocery delivery firm, generating a 20% higher rental yield than its previous use. As India's first integrated supply chain infrastructure platform, IndoSpace has set up its first such format–INLOGIS Chembur—a 150,000 sq. ft in-city warehousing hub in Mumbai. IndoSpace is scaling this model across major metros to unlock proximity, reduce delivery times, support hyperlocal fulfilment, and power the future of last-mile logistics. ' 'Designed for high-efficiency delivery with features like cargo elevators, EV charging, and solar panels, it caters to the surging quick commerce market projected to triple by 2027. With unit sizes from 5,000 to 35,000 sq. ft, INLOGIS enables rapid service to over half of Mumbai', said a source. The rise of hyperlocal warehousing is also subtly impacting rental dynamics in urban pockets. Rents for ground-floor spaces in residential-commercial mixed-use zones have jumped by 10-18% in key micromarkets since 2023, according to Knight Frank. 'We believe the future of urban logistics lies in Grade-A in-city warehousing and micro fulfillment centers,' said Vamsi from Sumadhura. 'With the Q-commerce boom driving demand for over over 10 dark stores per cluster in some metros, there's a clear need for optimized, compliant, and scalable urban logistics hubs. We are seeing strong traction for shared 3PL platforms, and our goal is to build flexible, multi-tenant spaces that enable this shift. By embedding hygiene, safety, and automation-readiness from day one, we aim to offer long-term value to operators. Our investment case shows these hubs can deliver returns on par with top-tier commercial assets,' Vamshi Karangula Vice President Sumadhura Group According to experts, demand for hyperlocal warehouses is poised to grow in tandem with the Q-commerce sector, which is projected to reach $5.5 billion by 2025, according to RedSeer Consulting. Industry estimates suggest that India may require over 12–15 million sq ft of small-format warehousing space in the next three years to meet delivery demand from urban and Tier-2 consumers. For developers, especially in land-constrained metros, this opens up a new monetization avenue. Even older commercial buildings, retail stores, and standalone houses can be repositioned as revenue-generating micro-hubs. 'Dark stores thrive on speed and efficiency, typically holding just 2–3 days of inventory to meet rapid order turnover. Their ability to pay higher rentals is driven by location—delivery time and household reach matter more than size. With limited organized supply, many are set up in repurposed residential, retail, or workshop spaces across cities,' said Chandranath Dey , India Head - Operation & Business Development, Logistics & Industrial, JLL. As the 10-minute delivery race heats up, India's real estate sector is not just enabling the change—it's being transformed by platforms initially focused on groceries, fresh produce, and essentials are now diversifying their offerings to include electronics and personal care items, among other products." Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Indian Express
10-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
‘Accidents are common': former Blinkit employee reveals harsh ‘reality' of 10-minute delivery service
In today's fast-paced life, 10-minute grocery delivery services are nothing short of a boon. However, the functioning of delivery platforms like Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto has often ignited conversations about the safety of their workers, who face intense pressure to deliver each order as quickly as possible. A former Blinkit employee, who worked as a part-time picker and packer at the company's dark stores, recently highlighted the harsh 'reality' faced by delivery agents. In a now-viral Reddit post, the user claimed that the delivery agents do not walk but run as fast as they can to pick up their orders, revealing that he even had a few accidents. 'The warehouses (called dark stores) are super small, packed with racks and items, and we're expected to run non-stop while picking orders. Like actually run, not walk fast,' the post read. 'You're dodging other pickers, turning sharp corners, and racing against a timer. I've had a few accidents. Once I collided with another guy and broke my phone. These kinds of things happen almost daily because it's all rush and no safety,' it added. The user further explained that the workers follow a timer called PPI (per picking item). When they fail to find an ordered item, the managers ask them to log out and leave. 'We had to follow a timer called PPI (Per Picking Item). If it takes even a few extra seconds to find an item (maybe it's misplaced or out of stock), the manager tells you to log out and go home. The pressure from higher-ups is crazy, and managers just pass it on to the workers,' the post said. Drawing attention to the hardships faced by full-time staff at Blinkit, the user claimed that workers are expected to manually unload two to three trucks each day. They also pointed out that full-time employees often work long hours and are responsible for tasks such as stocking the cold room. 'These guys are constantly on their feet and barely get proper breaks. And if anything goes wrong, they get blamed,' the post added. See the post here: Worked part-time at Blinkit — 10-minute delivery sounds cool, but the reality for workers is brutal byu/Automatic_Demand_802 inindia The company has not yet responded to the allegations. Last year, Aadit Palicha's company Zepto came under scrutiny after an employee highlighted its toxic work culture.
