Flipkart Targets 1,500 Quick Commerce Stores Ahead of Planned IPO

Walmart-owned Flipkart is stepping up investments in its quick commerce business as it prepares for a public listing in India, with plans to expand its network of neighbourhood warehouses to 1,500 over the coming months.

Invest in Indian Markets and Unlock Future Potential With 5paisa!

Open Account Now

The company said on Tuesday that its quick commerce platform, Flipkart Minutes, has reached 1,000 dark stores across the country and plans to add another 500 facilities. The expansion comes as competition intensifies in India’s fast-growing quick commerce market, estimated at about $11 billion.

Focus Shifts Beyond Major Cities

Kunal Gupta, head of Flipkart Minutes, told Reuters that the company is increasingly targeting smaller towns and cities, with more than 70% of its presence across over 130 cities concentrated outside major urban centres.

He said customers in smaller markets typically place higher-value orders as they tend to be more price conscious. Flipkart has also expanded operations in Bihar as part of its broader push into underserved regions.
The company, which competes with Amazon in e-commerce, has not announced a timeline for its proposed Mumbai listing.

Orders Rise Sharply

Flipkart said orders on its quick commerce platform have increased fivefold over the last year. Sales from smaller towns and cities have grown 42 times during the same period, according to the company.

In metropolitan markets such as Bengaluru, Flipkart has broadened its product range to cater to changing consumer preferences. Gupta said the platform currently offers five varieties of avocados in the city, while assortments in smaller locations continue to focus on everyday essentials and grocery staples.

Competition Remains Intense

According to data from Datum Intelligence, Blinkit, operated by Eternal, has more than 2,200 dark stores, while Swiggy Instamart runs over 1,100 facilities. Flipkart’s current network of 1,000 stores places it behind the two established players.

Datum Intelligence data showed Blinkit processes around 3 million orders daily, while Swiggy handles about 1.25 million orders. Flipkart Minutes processes roughly 820,000 orders a day.
However, Flipkart recorded the highest average order value among the three players at ₹700, according to the data.

Rapidly Growing Market

Quick commerce has emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments in India’s digital retail industry, driven by demand for deliveries within 10 to 30 minutes. The model has altered consumer shopping habits, with companies delivering products ranging from groceries to electronic devices through local warehouses.

In January, the Indian government directed companies to stop promoting deliveries as a “10-minute” service, citing concerns related to rider safety.

As Flipkart expands its store network and broadens its geographic reach, the company is seeking to strengthen its position in a segment currently dominated by larger rivals before proceeding with its planned market debut.