10-minute delivery has emerged as a game-changer in quick commerce, revolutionizing the e-commerce ecosystem. As the demand for faster deliveries continues to rise, the quick commerce market is projected to reach $5.5 billion by 2025.
Today’s consumers expect products to be available at a single click, and that’s what encourages businesses towards innovative solutions like hyperlocal logistics, AI-driven inventory management, and dark stores to meet these evolving expectations. But how exactly does 10-minute delivery work, and which companies are leading the charge in 2025?
In this blog, we’ll delve into the concept of 10-minute delivery, the technology behind it, its challenges, and the top players revolutionizing quick commerce.
What is 10-Minute Delivery?
10-minute delivery is an ultra-fast order fulfillment model designed to deliver household groceries, essentials, and select retail products within 10 minutes of order placement. But how? This is made possible by:
- Dark Stores & Micro Warehouses: Small, strategically located fulfillment centers stocked with high-demand products. According to industry estimates, the number of dark stores in India has grown by 80% in the last two years (ET Retail).
- AI-Driven Inventory Optimization: Predictive analytics ensure stock availability and reduce order processing time.
- Hyperlocal Logistics & Fleet Management: AI-optimized routing minimizes delivery time.
- Automated Order Processing: Real-time order allocation to the nearest fulfillment center.
Why is 10-Minute Delivery Growing in India?
Several factors have fueled the rise of Quick commerce in India (Q-commerce) and instant delivery services:
- Consumer Expectations: Customers now prioritize speed over price.
- Intense Market Competition: Players like BigBasket, Zepto, Blinkit, and Swiggy Instamart are pushing faster deliveries.
- Advancements in AI & Automation: Smart inventory and logistics optimization enable efficiency.
- Urbanization & High-Density Markets: Metro cities are ideal for quick commerce due to proximity-based logistics. Due to mid- and high-income households, over 90 percent of the current Quick Commerce contribution comes from the top eight cities (metros and tier-1 cities).
- Investor Confidence: Heavy funding from venture capitalists is accelerating the expansion of Q-commerce startups. From 2024 until December 2024, Quick Commerce companies have raised $1.73B in equity funding across 13 rounds. In the same period last year (i.e., till November 2023), Quick Commerce companies had raised $1.13B across 11 rounds. So, 2024 has seen a 53.91% rise in funding in Quick Commerce companies as compared to 2023.
India’s 5 Fastest Companies Revolutionizing 10-Minute Delivery in 2025
1. Zepto
- Owned by Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra
- Offers – via Zepto Cash, Coupons, Refer and Earn Scheme
- Delivery Mode – instant delivery
A pioneer in India’s 10-minute grocery delivery, Zepto has expanded its footprint across metros, leveraging micro-fulfillment centers and AI-driven inventory allocation. As of 2024, Zepto operates more than 200 dark stores across major cities.
2. Blinkit (formerly Grofers)
- Backed by – Zomato
- Offers – via Deals and Coupons
- Delivery Mode – instant delivery
Acquired by Zomato, Blinkit has streamlined its ultra-fast grocery and essentials delivery network, benefiting from Zomato’s logistics infrastructure. The company claims an average delivery time of 8 minutes in key cities (Economic Times).
3. Swiggy Instamart
- Operated by – Swiggy
- Offers – via Coupons, Wallet Cashback, Bank Offers
- Membership – Swiggy One membership for unlimited free delivery
- Delivery Mode – instant delivery
Swiggy’s quick commerce division integrates with its existing delivery fleet to provide seamless 10-minute grocery fulfillment. Swiggy Instamart reportedly processes over 1.5 million orders per month.
4. Dunzo Daily
- Founded by – Kabeer Biswas along with co-founders Ankur Agarwal, Dalvir Suri and Mukund Jha
- Offers – via Dunzo Coupons
- Delivery Mode – instant grocery delivery
Dunzo’s specialized quick commerce vertical ensures 10-20 minute deliveries, focusing on high-frequency consumer demands. Backed by Reliance, Dunzo has seen a 300% increase in daily order volumes over the past year.
5. BigBasket Now
- Owned by – Tata Group
- Delivery Mode – Instant grocery delivery
BigBasket, backed by Tata Group, has introduced hyperlocal delivery hubs to compete in the ultra-fast delivery space. Their quick commerce vertical services over 1 million active users monthly.
6. Flipkart Minutes
- Owned by – Flipkart Minutes is owned by Walmart, the majority shareholder of Flipkart.
- Delivery Mode: quick grocery delivery
Flipkart Minutes is a quick commerce service that offers fast delivery of groceries, electronics, and other products. It’s designed to meet customers’ needs who want their orders delivered quickly.
Conclusion
The 10-minute delivery model is revolutionizing e-commerce, setting new benchmarks for speed and convenience. While operational challenges exist, technology-driven solutions, AI-powered logistics, and hyperlocal fulfillment strategies will drive the industry’s growth.
For businesses aiming to scale quick commerce efficiently, leveraging advanced WMS solutions like Unicommerce will be crucial in optimizing supply chains, reducing delivery time, and staying ahead of the competition.