How Fast Delivery Apps Are Changing Online Shopping

Have you ever received an order and thought, Is it possible to get this faster? These days, online shoppers don’t just want their products; they want them instantly. The fast delivery app promises delivery within 10 to 30 minutes. These apps are changing the rules of online shopping in the country. For sellers, this particular shift is about capturing repeat consumers, staying competitive, satisfying rising expectations, and speed. From day-to-day essentials to groceries, buyers want quick service, and tools like Shiprocket Quick can help sellers fulfil these expectations and grow their business in smaller cities. This blog explores the concept of fast delivery, its development, how sellers can use tools like Shiprocket Quick, and other delivery apps in India. 

What is Fast Delivery or 10-Minute Delivery?

Fast delivery, usually known as instant or 10-minute delivery, is a model through which consumers receive items in a very short time, typically under 30 minutes. Compared to traditional eCommerce, which depends heavily on scheduled shipping and warehouses, fast delivery apps use local dark stores or micro-warehouses situated close to all the high-demand areas. The apps usually provide the following:

• FMCG and Personal Care: Day-to-day necessities, such as household items, cleaning supplies, and toiletries.
• Beverages and Food: Beverages, snacks and ready-to-eat meals.
• Groceries: Essentials, such as fresh vegetables, bread, and milk.

These apps come with the following features:

• Real-Time Tracking: Sellers and consumers can track deliveries in real time.
• Localised Inventory: Dark warehouses or stores stocked with periodically purchased products.
• Optimised Routing: Smart algorithms that pick the quickest route for delivery partners.

For sellers, using fast-delivery platforms means higher consumer retention, enhanced cash flow, and shorter order cycles.

Why is the 10-Minute Delivery Model Experiencing Growth?

Some important factors driving the rapid adoption of instant delivery apps in the country are:

1. Growing Internet and Smartphone Penetration

India now has 954.4 million internet users. Out of these, 556.05 million are in cities, and 398.35 million are in rural areas, giving the country a tele-density of 85.7%. This makes the app-based ordering accessible, instant, and even convenient.

2. Changing Customer Expectations

Modern customers are accustomed to immediate gratification. With the rise of one-demand services like entertainment streaming, ride-hailing, and food delivery, instant delivery has become the new normal.

3. Operational Innovation by Sellers

Sellers are opting for efficient last-mile delivery services, real-time inventory tracking, and micro-warehouses to complete orders instantly. Platforms such as Shiprocket Quick enable sellers to reach countless locations within several minutes. This, in return, lowers operational challenges. 

4. Shift Towards Semi-Urban and Urban Markets

The 2nd and 3rd-tier cities are experiencing a surge in eCommerce adoption. Here, consumers value on-time delivery and convenience, which makes 10-minute delivery relevant.

5. Pandemic-Induced Behaviour Changes

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated online shopping. Customers these days want rapid and contactless deliveries for groceries and essentials, setting ongoing behaviour patterns.

What are India’s Top 5 Fast Delivery Apps?

Some 10-minute delivery platforms are changing how sellers manage their fulfillment and how consumers shop. Here is a quick overview:

1. Shiprocket Quick

Unlike consumer-facing apps, Shiprocket Quick is designed specifically for sellers. It allows them to offer ultra-fast 10-30 deliveries directly to consumers by connecting them to the store’s inventory at local hubs and leveraging a robust delivery network. Additionally, Shiprocket aims to onboard 100,000 offline merchants / EBOs (exclusive brand outlets) by FY 2026 to expand its Quick commerce reach.

2. Zepto

This instant delivery platform focuses on 10-minute deliveries. It uses the dark stores close to consumers to ensure ultra-fast service. The app provides instant confirmations and real-time tracking. 

3. Dunzo

Dunzo connects local eateries and shops with consumers, delivering ready-to-eat meals and groceries via a powerful hyperlocal network. 

4. Blinkit

Formerly known as Grofers, Blinkit offers 10-30-minute delivery of groceries and other items. It blends localised delivery hubs and inventory optimisation for immediate order fulfilment. 

5. Swiggy Instamart

This platform leverages Swiggy’s existing fleet to offer reliable, quick deliveries in major Indian cities, especially for FMCG and grocery items.

Boost Deliveries with Shiprocket Quick

If you are a seller looking to ride the instant-delivery wave, Shiprocket Quick offers a data-driven, powerful solution to supercharge your operations. Instead of juggling countless courier fleets, Shiprocket lets you deliver locally in minutes while leveraging an aggregated, scalable network of delivery partners.

Here’s how Shiprocket Quick can help sellers:

• Wide Reach: More than 2,000 merchants and brands already use this platform, including D2C (direct-to-consumer) sellers and offline businesses.
• 24x Availability: The service runs around the clock so that you can dispatch and accept local orders even for urgent consumer needs or late orders.
• Efficient Order Handling: The platform supports a 12 to 15 kg weight limit for every parcel. This makes it feasible for grocery sellers, small shops, and more.
• Low and Transparent Pricing: The delivery rate starts at ₹10 per km, with no surge charges, making hyperlocal costs manageable and predictable.
• Strong Partner Network: Shiprocket Quick integrates with reliable hyperlocal logistics players, such as Loadshare, Shadowfax, and more. It gives you access to a diverse and reliable delivery fleet.
• Wide Hyperlocal Coverage in Major Cities: The platform is live in many key cities such as Pune, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Delhi-NCR.
• Hyperlocal Radius: The typical delivery for this platform is up to 50 km from the pickup area. It’s perfect for semi-urban and dense urban catchment areas.

Conclusion

Instant delivery platforms are changing the way consumers shop, and as a seller, keeping up this pace is no longer optional. Providing quick deliveries can help you stand out, encourage consumers to come back again and again, and build trust with them. Tools such as Shiprocket Quick make it easier to fulfil all these expectations without managing the delivery fleet on your own, letting you focus on growing the business. 

Adopting an instant delivery solution can let you convert customer demands for quick gratification into an opportunity to strengthen the brand and increase sales in the 2nd and 3rd-tier cities