Dark Stores Face Challenges as Quick Commerce Firms Recalibrate
Mumbai, August 2025: After a rapid spree of opening new outlets across major cities, India’s leading quick commerce players—Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto—are now hitting the brakes on expansion due to escalating rents and operational challenges.
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Blinkit, backed by significant financial investment, is continuing to accelerate its growth, planning to nearly double its dark stores in the near future. In contrast, Swiggy Instamart and Zepto are slowing down their expansion efforts. Instamart added only 42 new stores in the last quarter, while Zepto has temporarily paused opening new outlets as it prepares for its Initial Public Offering (IPO).
Rising real estate costs in metropolitan areas are making it increasingly difficult for quick commerce brands to sustain rapid expansion. Many dark stores are yet to break even, despite strong consumer demand for ultra-fast delivery services. As a result, companies are now prioritizing improving the efficiency and profitability of their existing stores rather than aggressively adding new locations.
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