Market Expansion and Competitive Strategies

The quick commerce industry has seen remarkable growth, with a 20% sequential rise in hiring during Aug-Oct and a 25-30% workforce increase compared to non-peak months, driven by consumer demand and the festive season. The number of dark stores has reached 2,200, with personnel working within these facilities increasing by 50%, from 40,000 to 60,000. Most of this workforce comprises contractual employees assigned to roles such as pickers, packers, and loaders. Similarly, the delivery workforce has expanded significantly, rising from 1.2 lakh to 2 lakh delivery personnel.

Balasubramanian A, Senior VP and Business Head at TeamLease Services Ltd. shares that quick commerce companies have diversified offerings beyond groceries to include electronics, beauty, home decor, wellness, general merchandise, and festival-specific products, functioning as online supermarkets catering to varied consumer needs. Achieving a milestone of 20 lakh orders per day in March 2024, the industry grew further by 30-40% during the festive season, with the Diwali period alone contributing to a 20% business uptick and 50% of logistics hiring focused on quick commerce and hyperlocal operations.

Quick Commerce platforms plan to increase their dark store counts by March 2025, targeting tier 2 and 3 locations and expanding categories. This is expected to boost the demand for both dark store and delivery personnel, marking a pivotal phase for scaling operations and strengthening market presence.