From Convenience to Necessity: The Evolution of Quick Commerce in India
India’s quick commerce sector is experiencing rapid growth, with projections indicating a significant increase in its Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) by 2026. It expected to reach a GMV of $10 billion by FY26, with the potential to surpass $78 billion within a decade as per the report from CLSA.
This growth is driven by the sector’s expansion beyond groceries into new categories and cities, particularly Tier-2 and smaller cities, which are embracing the model due to its proximity, competitive pricing, and wide selection of products.
As of March 2025, India’s quick commerce sector employed approx. 4 lakh individuals, including both delivery partners and under-the-roof staff.
The sector is experiencing rapid growth, with projections indicating that employment will increase to 5 lakh people approx. by the end of 2025. This expansion is driven by the proliferation of dark stores and the sector’s entry into new product categories.
The growth in employment is also contributing to a surge in gig worker hiring, particularly in smaller cities where quick commerce operations are being established from scratch. While Quick commerce sector offers flexible, gig-based roles, it also presents opportunities for formal employment and skill development. Companies are investing in workforce training and retention strategies to ensure sustainable growth and job quality.
Some initiatives by the government have also contributed to the growth of quick commerce in the country like:
• Digital India which has transformed India’s digital infrastructure, increased digital literacy, and promoted e-services.
• Start-up India which has created a favourable environment to encourage innovation from new-age start-ups.
• Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and RuPay which have made payments convenient and hassle-free by providing customers with banking services at their fingertips.
• Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) which has increased the reach of India’s quick commerce and e-commerce ecosystem by on-boarding smaller vendors onto digital platforms and promoting fair competition within the industry.
• Permitting 100% FDI through the automatic route in entities engaging in B2B models to encourage the participation of foreign players.
“Quick commerce in India is no longer a niche convenience—it’s becoming a core part of how urban and semi-urban India shops. The market is expanding beyond metros, and the model is adapting fast to meet the needs of Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. The pace of this evolution demands strong operational planning—from tech and delivery infrastructure to vendor networks and manpower readiness. Workforce planning, in particular, must evolve alongside this growth, balancing the flexibility of gig roles with the structure of formal employment. Companies that succeed will be those that integrate technology, local insights, and scalable systems across every layer of their operations.” – Sumit Sarabhai, Chief Business Officer (General Staffing)
India’s quick commerce sector is set for significant growth, offering diverse employment opportunities and reshaping the retail and employment landscape over the next five years. As the industry evolves, the success of quick commerce companies will depend on their ability to efficiently manage delivery infrastructure in a cost-effective manner by using innovative technology and artificial intelligence.