Flipkart Minutes Hits 1.2M Daily Orders, Gaining on Rivals

Walmart-owned Flipkart is rapidly closing the gap with quick-commerce pioneers in India, with its Flipkart Minutes service now delivering 1.1 million to 1.2 million orders daily, people familiar with the matter told TechCrunch. This surge in volume places the two-year-old service close to competitor Swiggy’s Instamart, which handles approximately 1.4 million orders per day.

Flipkart Minutes Rapidly Growing Daily Orders

Flipkart Minutes, launched in August 2024, has significantly increased its order volume. The service now processes between 1.1 million and 1.2 million orders daily. This is a substantial increase from its reported 390,000 to 400,000 orders in November, according to individuals with knowledge of the operations.

This performance brings Flipkart Minutes into close competition with Swiggy’s Instamart, which delivers around 1.4 million orders each day. Other established players like Blinkit and Zepto lead the market, with Blinkit handling an estimated 3.4 million to 3.6 million daily orders and Zepto around 2.4 million to 2.6 million.

Aggressive Infrastructure Expansion Fuels Flipkart’s Growth

Flipkart has driven its rapid growth through a substantial expansion of its delivery infrastructure. The Flipkart Minutes service currently operates between 1,020 and 1,050 micro-fulfillment centers. These are small warehouses situated near customers to facilitate quick deliveries.

This number represents a significant increase from 600 centers in January and approximately 340 centers a year ago. The company is reportedly adding about 100 new facilities each month, with a goal to reach 1,500 centers by the end of 2026.

Customer Behavior and Spending Trends on Flipkart Minutes

Flipkart Minutes is experiencing strong customer loyalty, with 65% to 70% of its monthly purchasers being repeat buyers. The frequency of transactions per customer has also risen by 50% to 60% compared to the previous year. Customers are spending an average of ₹400 to ₹500, approximately $4.20 to $5.20, per order.

Key growing categories include fruits and vegetables, staples, dairy, and meat. Flipkart is also enhancing its offerings with gourmet products, such as organic and artisanal items, to capture a larger share of customer spending on the platform. The average delivery time has also decreased to about 11 minutes from 13 minutes a year ago.

Amazon’s Counter-Push in India’s Quick Commerce Market

Global competitor Amazon is also intensifying its efforts in India’s quick commerce sector. The Seattle-based company is expanding its own quick-commerce service, Amazon Now, aiming to integrate an instant delivery model for its existing e-commerce customer base.

Amazon has stated that Amazon Now is its fastest-growing business in India, with orders doubling each quarter since its launch. The company plans to extend the service to over 300 cities and establish more than 1,000 micro-fulfillment centers.

The Broader Context of Quick Commerce in India

Flipkart’s expansion occurs as quick commerce plays an increasingly vital role in Indian online shopping, despite signs of softening overall consumer demand. A report from Bernstein analysts indicated that while consumption growth slowed in July, quick commerce and e-commerce platforms continued to see healthy growth in monthly active users.

This quick commerce push is both offensive and defensive for companies like Flipkart and Amazon. As consumers become accustomed to near-instant deliveries, these e-commerce giants risk losing transactions to specialized quick-commerce platforms if they cannot match the speed of delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current daily order volume for Flipkart Minutes?

Flipkart Minutes is currently delivering between 1.1 million and 1.2 million orders per day, indicating significant growth since its launch.

How many micro-fulfillment centers does Flipkart Minutes operate?

Flipkart Minutes operates approximately 1,020 to 1,050 micro-fulfillment centers, with plans to expand to 1,500 by the end of 2026.

What is the average spending per order on Flipkart Minutes?

Customers are spending an average of about ₹400 to ₹500 (approximately $4.20–$5.20) per order on Flipkart Minutes.

What is Amazon doing in India’s quick commerce market?

Amazon is expanding its Amazon Now service, aiming to bring instant delivery to its customers and increase its presence in the Indian quick commerce sector.