The difference between planned and instant shopping will be erased in 2025: From grocery to electronics, everything at home in minutes.

New Delhi. The country’s retail landscape has fundamentally changed by 2025 and the integration of traditional e-commerce and quick commerce has almost blurred the lines between planned purchases and immediate needs. What initially started as an experimental initiative to deliver groceries in 10 minutes has today transformed into a multi-billion dollar infrastructure that now delivers everything from high-end electronic products to home appliances in a matter of minutes. In just one calendar year, the perception of the Indian consumer has changed to one who no longer thinks ‘will it arrive?’, but instead thinks ‘in how many minutes will it arrive?’.

The figures available towards the end of the year show that this sector is growing at a very fast pace. According to the annual report of RedSeer Strategy Consultants, quick commerce has become India’s fastest growing retail format. It has 3.3 crore monthly subscribers in more than 150 cities. Its share in total branded retail sales is estimated to be around 10 percent by the year 2030. With rising household incomes and increasing preference for convenience, quick commerce has become the preferred purchasing medium for a large section of urban consumers.

In order not to be left out of the huge potential of the quick commerce market, e-commerce giants Amazon and Flipkart also had to launch their own quick commerce platforms. ‘Amazon Now’ and ‘Flipkart Minutes’ have been launched. Through these, the facility of supply is being provided in less than 30 minutes. This is an indication that fast delivery is no longer a special feature but has become the new standard of the entire industry. ‘Dark stores’ have evolved from small mohalla-level centers to huge ‘megapods’. These large units, typically having an area of ​​10,000 to 12,000 square feet, now have the capacity to store more than 50,000 items, allowing platforms to supply milk and bread as well as iPhones and air conditioners (ACs) in a very short time.

A ‘dark store’ is a retail warehouse that is built solely for the fulfillment of online orders and not for customers. With this digital boom, a lot of attention was also paid to the human aspect. In the year 2025, the debate regarding the welfare of ‘gig’ workers reached its peak. At the same time, road safety concerns related to supply pressure also came to the fore in 10 minutes. ‘Gig’ workers are workers who are paid on a work-based basis. Often they work for online delivery services. The government finally addressed these problems with four labor codes being notified in November. This brought a large section of ‘gig’ workers under the ambit of formal regulatory recognition and social protection. For grocery delivery workers or drivers plying city roads, the move signals an end to legal invisibility, moving them from the fringes of the ‘unorganized’ sector into the formal social security net. The introduction of equal employment rights, compulsory appointment letter and access to benefits like provident fund, Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) and insurance has provided stability for millions of ‘gig’ and online platform workers across the country.

The outlook towards 2026 indicates that the coming year will be defined by market consolidation and expansion of categories. The industry is entering a phase where the top three companies will further consolidate their market position. Additionally, the scope of items to be delivered in less than 30 minutes will also be expanded. The coming year will require a more balanced approach towards regulatory compliance, especially in the context of labor welfare and competition with traditional business.