Flipkart to open 100 dark stores before the big billion day sale. Click to know more
Flipkart to open 100 dark stores before the big billion day sale. Click to know more
Walmart-owned e-tailer gears up for Big Billion Days sale by enhancing fast delivery capabilities
Flipkart is set to intensify its presence in the quick commerce sector by opening nearly 100 dark stores. It aims to move across major cities ahead of its Big Billion Days sale. According to sources, this strategic move aims to bolster its fast delivery service. Flipkart Minutes is positioning it against competitors like Zepto, Zomato’s Blinkit, and Swiggy Instamart during the festive season.
Key Points
Flipkart aims to have around 100 dark stores operational and tested across various demand scenarios by the launch of Flipkart Minutes.
Flipkart Minutes is currently accessible to select users in certain pincodes. The service is expected to launch in a couple of weeks
Flipkart will compete with Zepto, Zomato’s Blinkit, and Swiggy Instamart this festive season.
Flipkart Minutes is currently available to select users in specific pin codes. Soon, it is expected to launch fully in a few weeks. An insider revealed, “The service will initially stabilize in targeted areas before scaling up extensively during the festive season.” This aggressive expansion reflects Flipkart’s commitment to enhancing consumer convenience through quick commerce.
Testing for Flipkart Minutes has already begun at the company’s Bengaluru headquarters. It is utilizing a nearby dark store. These dark stores function as mini warehouses, facilitating swift deliveries.
Flipkart secured nearly $1 billion in funding, reinforcing its financial position as it prepares for the festive season. The new dark stores are projected to be operational and optimized for various demand scenarios by the time the Big Billion Days sale commences.
Initially, Flipkart Minutes will offer a range of products including vegetables, fruits, groceries, and electronics. This entry into quick commerce is anticipated to heighten competition in major cities, where a price war is already underway.
Industry observers note that Flipkart’s move comes amid expansion efforts by rivals. Zepto, for instance, aims to double its dark stores to 700 by March 2025, while Blinkit targets 1,000 and Instamart currently operates over 500.
The festive season is expected to witness high-octane activity from the quick commerce segment. Earlier, these were dominated by big-ticket sales from Amazon India and Flipkart. A top executive from a new-age food brand indicated that discussions are underway with leading quick commerce players to ensure ample stock availability for fast deliveries during Diwali sales.
The rapid growth in quick commerce underscores the blurring lines between horizontal retailers like Flipkart and Amazon, and specialized platforms such as Zepto, Blinkit, and Instamart. With a substantial increase in stock-keeping unit (SKU) volumes, these platforms are now managing an average of 10,000 SKUs compared to the initial 2,000-3,000.
“All the investment and expansion into multiple categories will significantly impact festive sales,” noted a source. “Quick commerce can drastically reduce delivery times for many products during the festive season, making it a game-changer for certain SKUs.”
