Indian Consumer Brands Can Deliver in Minutes Too Now - Here's How :

Today, if you're not delivering fast, you're not converting. In India's top metro cities, instant and same day delivery isn't just a nice-to-have; it's the customer expectation. With over 70% of online shoppers prioritising fast delivery over discounts, brands that fail to meet the speed benchmark are bleeding revenue.

Grocery delivery platforms like Blinkit and Zepto have reset the baseline, but their influence goes far beyond perishables. Personal care, electronics accessories, and even fashion are seeing surges in 1-2 hour delivery demand. Brands like Tira (Reliance), Epigamia, and Blue Tokai now promise delivery within 24 hours in major cities.

Failing to offer fast delivery means:

1. Lower conversion rates at checkout
2. Higher cart abandonment
3. Poor repeat purchase behaviour
4. Increased RTOs

To meet these demands, traditional 3-5 day ecommerce shipping solutions just don’t cut it anymore.

Related: How to Reduce RTO Rates & Boost First Attempt Deliveries

What Blinkit & Zepto Got Right — and Where They Struggle

Blinkit and Zepto have cracked hyperlocal delivery using tightly packed dark store networks and dedicated gig fleets. Their algorithms optimise for last-mile density and route efficiency. This allows them to offer sub-30-minute delivery in key areas, with real-time tracking that reassures customers.

But there's a catch:

1. Ultra-thin margins: Built on investor capital, not profitability
2. No brand ownership: Products become commodities on their platforms
3. High pressure on operations: Returns, delays, and rider dissatisfaction
4. Regulatory risks: Zepto has already faced scrutiny over pricing and delivery practices

For D2C brands, listing on these platforms often means:

1. Lower per-order revenue
2. Zero access to end-user data
3. Compromised brand experience

Instead, many are now exploring a smarter alternative: owning their own express delivery stack, powered by infrastructure like Zippee.

“With Zippee, we launched same day delivery in under a week. RTOs dropped by over 80%, and our repeat orders grew 2.5x.” — Clinikally Team

Emerging as India's #1 quick commerce logistics partner and b2b platform for delivery, Zippee partners with 100+ brands, offering:

1. 50+ dark stores across India
2. 98.5% Same day delivery accuracy
3. Up to 90% reduction in RTOs
4. 25 %+ fulfilment cost savings, making it easier for D2C brands to compete on delivery speed without platform dependency.

Read: Top Quick Commerce Logistics Partners for D2C Brands

News: Zippee Partners with GetVantage to Help D2C Brands Scale Quick Commerce

How to Add Quick Commerce to Your Strategy — Without Losing Margin

If you’re a fast-growing e-commerce brand, the path to offering Blinkit-level delivery doesn’t require re-inventing your operations. Here’s how to start:

1. Prioritise Your Fast-Moving SKUs

Identify your top 50 sellers by volume or urgency and make them available for 60-minute, 120-minute or same day delivery.

2. Start with Key Cities

Focus on metros or high-density demand zones. Zippee offers infrastructure across Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, and more.

3. Choose the Right Fulfilment Partner

Look for partners that offer:

1. Dark store coverage
2. Real-time tracking
3. WhatsApp/SMS updates
4. Easy integration with Shopify/other platforms

4. Track Meaningful Metrics

Move beyond shipping costs. Track:

1. First-attempt delivery rate
2. RTO %
3. Delivery SLA adherence
4. Customer feedback & NPS

5. Communicate Speed Upfront

Show delivery timelines on product pages, in the cart, and via post-purchase communication.

Whether you're looking to improve d2c shipping reliability or add express options to your ecommerce shipping stack, aligning with a b2b platform for delivery like Zippee helps avoid over-reliance on traditional carriers.

Brands that follow this framework have seen:

1. 3x conversion uplift
2. 2x repeat purchase rate
3. Up to 25% increase in customer lifetime value (LTV)

Explore: Ecommerce vs Quick Commerce — How Zippee Helps Brands Sell Faster

Conclusion

Speed sells. But unless it's paired with brand control, it also burns margin. Blinkit and Zepto have shown what’s possible, but D2C brands don’t need to copy their playbook. With partners like Zippee, you can own the delivery experience, from checkout to doorstep. That means faster conversions, lower returns, and better retention through smarter ecommerce shipping solutions and strategic D2C shipping planning.

Ready to unlock faster deliveries for your brand? Sign up for our waitlist, and let's reach your customers faster, together!