How to Start a Quick Commerce Business in India?

In this digital-first world, names like Zepto and Blinkit are so common these days that even kids know about them. Are you thinking of stepping into the world of quick commerce but don’t have the right guidance? We've got your back. Be sure to read this article till the end.

In this quick commerce selling guide, you will learn about:

• What is quick commerce, or q-commerce?

• Why is quick commerce booming in India?

• The types of business model in quick commerce business

• Steps to start quick commerce business in India

• Tips to make your quick commerce business successful

• Conclusion

• FAQs

What is Quick Commerce?

Quick commerce, also known as Q commerce, is a type of e-commerce focused on providing daily essentials and other goods in under 10 to 30 minutes. At first quick commerce started with delivering food only, but gradually it expanded to other product categories.

In the quick commerce business model, the order is delivered within an hour. Quick commerce focuses on limited or essential products and operates on dark stores or micro-warehouses. Some platforms charge high costs because of quick delivery. Examples of quick commerce businesses include Zepto, Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, BigBasket, and more.

Related: How to Sell on Blinkit – A Step-by-Step Guide

Why is Quick Commerce Trending in India?

After the Covid-19 pandemic, more people started relying on UPI payments. With the introduction of quick commerce apps, there is a drastic shift in consumer behaviour, as many people are ordering the products at the last minute. The young and tech-savvy generation plays a major role in the sudden shift of buying behaviour.

With the increasing urbanisation, the craze for quick commerce was so visible that big e-commerce companies like Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Swiggy, and more also participated in the competition with their own quick commerce services.

What Are the Types of Business Model in Quick Commerce Business?

Quick commerce companies mainly operate on three business models. These are dark stores, aggregator models, and hybrid models. Let’s know more about these models in detail:

Dark Stores: The dark stores are also known as micro-warehouses, or ghost stores, where the products are stored. These stores are owned by various quick commerce platforms like Zepto, Blinkit, etc. These small warehouses are the backbone of q-commerce growth.

These stores are built to fulfil online orders; customers cannot directly visit and buy items from these stores like local shops. These stores are smartly located in the densely urban populated area to deliver products on time and in an organised way.

Aggregator Models: In the aggregator model, you list your products on quick commerce platforms without storing your products in the dark stores. When a customer places your order, the platform notifies you, and you need to pack it within 5 to 10 minutes and hand it over to the delivery partner assigned by the platform quickly.

Hybrid Model: In the hybrid quick commerce business model, both dark stores and aggregators are combined to fulfil the customer’s urgent need by delivering the goods instantly.

This business model provides a comprehensive customer experience and fulfils different types of customer needs and demands at once.

Step-by-step Guide to Start a Quick Commerce Business in India

If you want to start your own business in quick commerce, below are the steps you should follow to get started the right way.

Step 1: Choose Your Niche and Q-commerce Platform

You need to know about your targeted customers to understand their needs and wants, which will help you to identify your product niche. When you have decided on your products, after that you can decide on the right platform to sell your goods.

Step 2: Register Your Business With Right Documents

Every quick commerce platform requires different documents and has a different onboarding process. So you need to arrange documents according to those requirements. Some common documents include GSTIN, FSSAI licence, PAN card, address proof, and more.

Step 3: Plan Your Inventory

In the next step, you need to set up your inventory, as quick commerce demands high stock availability. Ensure to keep your products pickup ready and maintain SKUs that are fast moving. Partner with wholesalers and distributors to maintain a smooth product supply and avoid stockouts.

Step 4: Understand The Platform’s Fee and Margins

Before finally choosing a platform, ensure you know about the commission and other fees the platform deducts and profit margins you can earn from that platform to determine if selling on that specific platform will be worth it or not.

Step 5: List Your Products and Start Selling

Now, you need to list your products with clear images, SEO-optimised titles, descriptions in bullet points, the exact weight and quantity of the goods, and competitive prices to attract customers. Once your listings are published, your goods will become visible to shoppers, and they can start placing orders.

Related: Zepto Seller Onboarding: Requirement, Process and More

Effective Tips to Make Your Quick Commerce Business Successful

Mentioned below are some tips which can help sellers to boost the visibility and sales of their quick commerce business:

Follow Performance Metrics: Quick commerce is dependent on speed; you need to pack accurate products quickly, mark products as out of stock, and mention positive product ratings to increase your sales.

Develop a Business Plan: Create a business plan, including your business model, target market, revenue, marketing strategies, and more, to know how to move forward.

Focus on Customer Service: Provide excellent services to your customers to keep them returning and build a loyal customer base who buy products only from your store.

Run Flash Sales: When you run flash sales or time-limited discounts on trending items, it influences shoppers into buying your products before the discount ends.

Conclusion

Starting a quick commerce business is exciting, but with passing time you may feel tired or overwhelmed, which is because you manage everything on your own. So what’s the solution for this? At Ecomarray, we provide expert quick commerce account management services.

We offer account management services for various platforms, which include Zepto, Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and more. You are just a call away from availing the benefits of professionals.

So don't wait any longer; visit our website at www.ecomarray.com or call us at +91-9599668577 to onboard and boost your sales on these platforms.