Quick Commerce Market Outlook, 2029

The Global Quick Commerce Market refers to the online business model that involves ultra-fast delivery of products to customers in less than an hour. Quick commerce platforms use hyperlocal warehouses or dark stores to store the inventory of highly demanded items like groceries, fresh foods, snacks, beauty items, etc. Growing traction towards demand delivery of food, groceries, and household essentials coupled with growing per capita income, large-scale industrialization, and rapid urbanization are driving the market growth. The use of 5G and 4G technology for payment mode purposes is predicted to have a favorable impact on market growth because it offers the user an uninterrupted experience.

Furthermore, smartphone use is gaining traction in developing countries, proliferating the customer's reach to online purchasing. Therefore, the growing use of consumer devices such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets is expected to boost the market growth. The growing number of medium and small-scale businesses is further anticipated to augment the demand for quick commerce throughout the projection period. Medium and small-sized firms are expanding rapidly, particularly in South Africa, Russia, and India. Initiatives such as Start-up India and Make in India have aided in the development of a start-up ecosystem in the country that uses e-commerce for business, hence driving market growth.

The key to growing sales is to shape inventory so that it corresponds to the overlap between consumer interest and market opportunity. They can discover the best blend using assortment analytics. For instance, in June 2023, Getir, a quick commerce delivery service company, announced its exit from France. The company cited factors such as the high cost of maintaining dark stores, lower profitability in the country, and the complex legal environment in the country to cease its operation. The French government's decision to identify dark stores as warehouses enables the local government to decide whether to allow dark store setups in city centers.

According to the research report "Global Quick Commerce Market Outlook, 2029" the Global Quick Commerce market was valued at more than USD 81.86 Billion in 2023, and expected to reach a market size of more than USD 257.31 Billion by 2029 with the CAGR of 21.44%. The adoption of quick commerce is also creating new growth opportunities for the major market players to expand their operations from delivering food to electronics, pet care products, flowers, books, and stationery cosmetics.

According to Glovo, in 2022, the company had a 120% surge in non-food retail orders and a 76 % surge in orders from supermarkets, representing new growth opportunities for the quick commerce vendors to increase their service offering while presenting different vendors opportunities to establish their presence in the market space. The expansion of product folio is allowing quick commerce to expand its customer base more easily, resulting in essential exposure to the business. The growing prevalence of online marketing in the quick commerce space is further aiding the expanding reach of quick commerce in 2nd and 3rd tier cities.

Analytics is playing a pivotal role in providing efficient services and a seamless experience to quick commerce customers. With increasing competition, it's difficult for rapid commerce enterprises to get product assortment right, but it's vital to their success. To maximize assortment for rapid commerce retailers, they must first analyze how demand varies by demographic and store. Data analytics will assist Q-Commerce enterprises in determining which products are frequently purchased in each store. It also aids in the identification of high-demand holes in rivals' platforms. Assortment analytics assist in identifying shifts in consumer actions across various long- and short-term demands.

Market Drivers

• Busy Lifestyles and Growing Time Poverty: The busy modern lifestyles and rising time poverty, especially among urban professionals is a key driver of the quick commerce market. Long working hours coupled with commuting times leaves consumers with little time to shop for groceries and daily essentials. The quick commerce model solves this challenge by delivering products within 10-30 minutes. Working parents, students, and other time-strapped consumers embrace quick commerce for its sheer convenience and time-saving. For example, research shows that 40% of quick commerce users in London, U.K. stated lack of time for shopping as the main reason for using such services.
• Serving Business Customers: Quick commerce firms have an opportunity to serve business customers with their ultra-fast delivery capabilities. B2B quick commerce means supplying offices and businesses with perishable goods, stationery, equipment, etc. within 30-60 minutes. Busy startups and small businesses will be willing to pay a premium for urgent same-day delivery. Logistics platforms like Jumbotail and NinjaCart are disrupting B2B supply chains in India via quick commerce.

Market Challenges

• Low Margins and Lack of Profitability: The quick commerce model intrinsically has slim profit margins due to high operating and delivery costs. Many firms acquire customers through promotions and discounts, delaying path to profitability. While order volumes are surging, losses are mounting as companies prioritize expansion over economics. Labor, real estate, and logistics costs also weigh heavily. Unless efficiencies improve, low margins will hamper long term viability and squeeze investor funding.
• Intense Competition Risks: Frenzied competition is an overhang in this nascent market. Dozens of quick commerce startups are vying for dominance in top cities from New York and London to Istanbul and Manila. Ad blitzes and cash burns are being used to lure customers. Promiscuous users easily shift between apps to chase discounts. Consolidation will be inevitable as the market matures. Weaker firms will fold up or get acquired. Survivors will be those with the deepest pockets and sustainable economics.

Market Trends

• Quick Commerce 2.0 Business Models: Quick commerce operators are innovating with newer business models that offer more convenience and build loyalty. Providing complimentary ultrafast pick up for returns is an emerging value-added service. Some firms also enable consumers to drop off laundry and get it delivered back cleaned within hours. There is also a shift towards memberships and subscription packages. Jokr lets users opt for auto-recurring delivery as per customized schedules. Evolving to Quick Commerce 2.0 creates stickiness.
• Super App Integration: Major delivery and mobility platforms like Gojek, Grab, and Uber are adding quick grocery delivery into their super apps. Integrating quick commerce offers users the convenience of a one-stop shop. Swiggy's Instamart service is now baked into its main app which provides scale. Super apps leverage their geographic reach and massive user bases to swiftly expand into new verticals like quick commerce. DoorDash is even piloting 15-minute grocery delivery via its DashMart service.

Based on the report, the Food & Groceries, Stationary, Personal Care Items, Small Electronics & Accessories, Others. Food and groceries leads due to the rising consumer demand for instant gratification and convenience in everyday shopping experiences.

The quick commerce sector has seen a significant surge in the food and grocery segment, primarily driven by changing consumer behaviors and expectations. In today's fast-paced world, consumers are increasingly seeking immediate solutions to their daily needs, particularly when it comes to food and groceries. As people juggle multiple responsibilities, the traditional model of grocery shopping - characterized by time-consuming trips to physical stores - has become less appealing. Instead, consumers are gravitating towards services that offer rapid delivery of essential items directly to their doorsteps. The convenience of on-demand grocery delivery is further amplified by the integration of technology in the shopping experience.

Applications like Instacart, Amazon Fresh, and others have revolutionized how consumers interact with grocery shopping, allowing them to browse a wide selection of products, customize their orders, and receive real-time updates on their deliveries. These platforms utilize sophisticated logistics and data analytics to optimize inventory management and delivery routes, ensuring that customers receive their orders promptly. The user-friendly interfaces of these applications enhance the overall shopping experience, making it easier for consumers to access the products they need quickly and efficiently.

Another contributing factor to the dominance of food and groceries in quick commerce is the nature of the products themselves. Food items are often perishable and time-sensitive, which creates a heightened urgency for prompt delivery. Consumers are willing to pay a premium for the convenience of having fresh groceries delivered quickly, especially when compared to the longer wait times associated with traditional e-commerce.

Based on the report, the payment mode is segmented into Cash on Delivery and Online. Online segment is leading because of the unparalleled convenience and immediacy it offers consumers.

The rapid growth of the quick commerce industry is closely linked to the evolution of online shopping, which has transformed how consumers purchase goods and services. As lifestyles become increasingly busy, the demand for convenience has skyrocketed, making online platforms the preferred choice for many shoppers. Quick commerce leverages this trend by providing consumers with the ability to order a wide range of products - from groceries to personal care items - through user-friendly mobile applications and websites. This shift to online shopping is not merely a passing trend; it represents a fundamental change in consumer behavior driven by technological advancements and the need for instant gratification.

The convenience of online shopping is amplified by the accessibility of mobile devices, which allow consumers to place orders anytime and anywhere. The proliferation of smartphones and tablets has made it easier for consumers to browse products, compare prices, and complete transactions with just a few taps. This ease of access is further enhanced by the seamless navigation and user-friendly design of quick commerce applications, which are specifically tailored to meet the needs of busy consumers.

Features such as saved user locations, easy payment methods, and real-time order tracking contribute to a hassle-free shopping experience, making online platforms more appealing than traditional retail options. Companies are investing heavily in technology and logistics to enhance their service offerings and improve customer satisfaction. This includes the establishment of strategically located dark stores that enable rapid delivery and the use of advanced analytics to optimize inventory management and product assortment.

Based on the report, the technology types is segmented into Application Based Operation, Hybrid Operation, and Website Based Operation. Application Based Operation due to their ability to provide consumers with seamless.

The quick commerce market has witnessed a remarkable transformation, largely propelled by the rise of application-based operations. These mobile applications serve as the primary interface through which consumers engage with quick commerce services, enabling them to order food, groceries, and other essentials with just a few taps on their smartphones. One of the most compelling reasons for the dominance of application-based platforms in this sector is the unparalleled convenience they offer. In a world where consumers increasingly prioritize speed and efficiency, mobile applications provide a user-friendly and accessible solution that meets these demands.

Customers can place orders from virtually anywhere, whether they are at home, at work, or on the go, allowing for a level of flexibility that traditional shopping methods simply cannot match. The design and functionality of these applications play a crucial role in their success. For instance, applications often incorporate features such as saved user locations, which enable customers to order products even when they are in different places, further enhancing the convenience factor. Additionally, the ability to save payment methods and track orders in real-time ads to the overall user experience, making the process of shopping quick and hassle-free.

Technological advancements have also significantly contributed to the effectiveness of application-based operations in quick commerce. Many of these platforms leverage sophisticated logistics and data analytics to optimize their delivery processes. By utilizing algorithms that analyze consumer behavior and order patterns, these applications can predict demand and ensure that popular items are readily available in local warehouses or dark stores.

The Asia-Pacific region is leading the quick commerce industry primarily due to its massive population base, rapid urbanization, and increasing smartphone penetration, which together create a fertile ground for the growth of on-demand delivery services.

The quick commerce sector in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by several interrelated factors that cater to the unique demands of its diverse consumer base. One of the most significant aspects contributing to this growth is the sheer size of the population in countries like India, China, Indonesia, and others. With billions of people living in densely populated urban areas, the demand for quick and efficient delivery services is skyrocketing. This demographic advantage is complemented by a burgeoning middle class that is increasingly adopting digital technologies and seeking convenience in their shopping experiences.

As urban lifestyles evolve, consumers are looking for ways to save time and effort, which quick commerce platforms readily provide by delivering groceries, food, and other essentials within minutes. Rapid urbanization in the APAC region is another critical factor fueling the quick commerce boom. As more people migrate to cities, the density of potential customers’ increases, making it economically viable for quick commerce companies to establish localized distribution networks. The increasing penetration of smartphones and the internet across the region has revolutionized how consumers shop.

With mobile devices becoming ubiquitous, consumers are now able to access quick commerce platforms at their convenience, whether at home, at work, or on the go. The rise of mobile applications tailored for quick commerce has made it easier for consumers to browse products, place orders, and track deliveries in real-time. This technological advancement is particularly appealing to younger demographics, who are more inclined to embrace digital solutions for their shopping needs.

• In August 2022, Quiet Platforms, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Eagle Outfitters Inc, and Fanatics, a leading provider of licensed sports merchandise and global digital sports platform, announced the expansion of their partnership, which began in May 2022, to enable same-day and next-day delivery of Fanatics orders to customers in 11 additional U.S. markets.
• In March 2022, DoorDash announced the launch of an ultra-fast grocery delivery service DashMart in New York City, U.S., providing thousands of grocery items from localized dark stores in less than 15 minutes. This expanded DoorDash's quick commerce footprint in a key metro market.
• In January 2022, Uber announced the launch of Uber Freight platform in Spain, allowing shippers to tap into thousands of trucking companies to move goods quickly across the country. This supports Uber's expansion into the European on-demand logistics market.
• In December 2021, Instacart announced the launch of a new 30-minute delivery option for groceries called Instacart Plus, available to members in certain metro areas for a monthly or annual fee. It enhanced Instacart's competitiveness in the quick commerce space.
• In November 2021, DoorDash acquired Wolt and GoPuff bought Dija in an attempt to internationalize their footprint. The deal is the largest in the food delivery industry, and it expands DoorDash's footprint to European countries such as Germany and Poland. With the acquisition of Wolt, the company will enter 23 new European countries, including Germany, Poland, and Czechia, as well as Kazakhstan and Cyprus.

Considered in this report

• Historic year: 2018
• Base year: 2023
• Estimated year: 2024
• Forecast year: 2029

Aspects covered in this report

• Quick Commerce market Outlook with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product Type

• Food & Groceries
• Stationary
• Personal Care Items
• Small Electronics & Accessories
• Others (Pets, alcohol, gifts & flowers, Medicines)

By Payment Mode

• Cash on Delivery
• Online

By Technology

• Application Based Operation
• Hybrid Operation
• Website Based Operation

The approach of the report:

This report consists of a combined approach of primary and secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list the companies that are present in it. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual reports of companies, and government-generated reports and databases.

After gathering the data from secondary sources, primary research was conducted by conducting telephone interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this; we have started making primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting them in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us, we can start verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations, and organizations related to the Quick Commerce industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing and presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.


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