Blinkit will Now Deliver Apple Products in 10 Minutes

Blinkit, a Quick commerce player, has initiated the delivery of Apple products, such as the MacBook Air, iPad, and AirPods, within 10 minutes in specific cities in India, according to its founder and CEO, Albinder Dhindsa, on February 27. Customers can now receive MacBook Air, iPad, AirPods, Apple Watch, and other Apple accessories in 10 minutes, he wrote in a post on X. The Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Chennai, Jaipur, Bengaluru, and Kolkata are among the cities where the brand has begun to deliver, he added. Zomato's rapid commerce division lost INR 103 crore in the quarter that concluded on December 31, 2024, primarily as a result of deferring growth investments.

Zomato Pouring More Investment in Blinkit

Zomato has invested INR 4,300 crore into Blinkit since acquiring the online grocery delivery service, formerly known as Grofers, in an all-stock deal for INR 4,477 crore in August 2022. Zomato has been investing more in Blinkit, mostly to finance its rapid growth and offset operating losses in the fiercely competitive quick commerce market, according to reports published by various media houses. A media article indicates that Blinkit's revenues sufficiently cover its operational needs; yet, the burn rate remains elevated due to aggressive expansion and rising marketing expenditures.

This necessitates more capital infusions to stimulate expansion. In a recent interview, Blinkit CEO Albinder Dhindsa expressed a similar perspective, stating that the majority of the company's expenses arise from expansion efforts. Dhindsa stated that the expenses associated with expansion are inescapable, whether incurred through marketing or idle costs. Based on Blinkit's growth trends, the company may have managed to offset its expansion expenses, but heightened marketing expenditures have impeded progress.

Zepto Adds More than 20 Dark Stores in Tamil Nadu

Beyond Chennai, Zepto, a fast commerce startup based in Bengaluru, has already established itself throughout Tamil Nadu. Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai, Vellore, and Salem are just a few of the districts in the state where the company has started operations. With more than twenty dark stores open in Tamil Nadu, each one well situated to maximise delivery within two to three kilometres, enabling partners to transport purchases in ten minutes while staying safe, Zepto is poised to solidify its position in the state.

Zepto users and other clients can purchase delicate coconuts and green vegetables from over 100 farmers in Tamil Nadu, including Palacode and Pollachi. This provides Zepto with a much-needed local connection. With its vibrant cities and high desire for convenience, the state of Tamil Nadu is a crucial market for Zepto, according to Divesh Sawhney, Chief Growth Officer.

The Race for Quick Commerce is Heating Up

The rapid commerce industry has evolved into a high-cash-burn sector, with companies allocating billions towards expansion and client acquisition. Industry estimates indicate that the aggregate monthly cash burn of rapid commerce entities, including new entrants, ranges between INR 1,300 and 1,500 crore—more than double in recent months.

Despite nearing operational breakeven in Q2 FY25, Blinkit’s losses escalated in Q3 FY25, with operating losses rising to INR 103 crore from INR 8 crore in the preceding quarter. Swiggy reported a net loss of INR 799 crore, while Instamart had an adjusted EBITDA loss of INR 578 crore in Q3, compared to INR 358 crore in Q2.