[Omkar]

Sometimes we forget how much our lives have changed after COVID-19. We had gotten so used to ordering things online that now we’re very much dependent on online apps for everything. Even though the grocery and stationery shops are open, we still end up ordering stuff online. Taking advantage of this particular need in the market, we have seen some quick delivery apps emerge. Players like Zepto and Swiggy Instamart became big in the post-covid era.



Even Zomato entered this space with Blinkit and has taken the market by storm. Blinkit's contribution to Zomato's market value has surpassed that of the primary food-delivery business according to a Goldman Sachs report.

On the other side, this sudden rise has resulted in the downfall of the competition. Swiggy Instamart's market share fell from 52% to 32%. Zepto was in talks with Flipkart for a potential deal. However, that deal has fallen through and is unlikely to be revived. Flipkart didn’t want to strike a deal which would give it a minority stake. That’s when the talks ended.

Flipkart has now decided that it will launch its own quick-commerce platform by partnering with existing local stores instead of building 'dark stores'. For those who are unaware of the term, a 'dark store' or a 'ghost store' is a warehouse that's not open to the public. A dark store is not used to attract walk-in customers but solely to fulfil online orders. These dark stores or micro warehouses have cropped up everywhere as they are the key to delivering goods quickly. However, this model also comes with its own set of challenges like poor work conditions and low income for delivery partners. But that's a topic for another day.

Sources - 1, 2, 3

As for me, I used to order from Swiggy Instamart quite often as there was no need to download another app and the integration with the food delivery app was seamless. Switched to Zepto as some of the things weren’t available on Swiggy Instamart. For the longest time, I used to alternate between these two apps but recently switched to Blinkit. Don’t think there’s a big difference between the apps, the Blinkit user interface just seems nicer. I believe BigBasket has also entered the quick delivery space, but I've not used it. Purely out of curiosity, I decided to check the difference in delivery time and price for my location (Mulund West, Mumbai) for random items. Attaching screenshots for reference -

Blinkit



Swiggy Instamart



Zepto



Surprisingly Zepto was the quickest and offered some discount too in my area. Which 10-minute delivery app do you use and why?

[Omkar]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line.

[Everlearner]

I'm primarily a big basket user. Big basket earlier used to have a separate app called BBNow for quick commerce, but have now merged with main app.

I have all these quick commerce apps on my phone, but regularly user big basket via tata neu app.

[m2maddy]

Alternate between Swiggy and Zepto for daily stuff, and use BigBasket for Rice, Pulses, Oil and other big purchases (usually every 15 days).

[inner_roadster]

I firmly think that these quick delivery apps should not be used unless absolutely necessary. The frequency of accidents resulting from the 10-minute delivery services is rising, and this is especially for the non-emergency deliveries of groceries and food items.

Delivery agents are incentivized to deliver early, which leads to irresponsible driving and more traffic accidents. This endangers not just the delivery person's life, but also the lives of others on the road. They face pressure from store managers to achieve delivery schedules, which leads to speeding and reckless driving. Most of these delivery agents work long shifts, frequently 10-12 hours per day, which contributes to their high stress levels.

Every now and again, we hear about delivery agents dying on the road while delivering goods. Most of these people took up this work to support their families, and at the end, these families are suffering. In addition, numerous delivery workers were temporarily or permanently disabled from accidents that occurred while on the job.

The majority of these apps feature delivery preferences, therefore please increase the delivery time if not urgent. Finally, I would like to state that these are just my personal beliefs and that I have no intention of hurting the sentiments of anyone.

[libranof1987]

We rarely order from these apps; our usage is typically thus:

1) Groceries / utilities: once a week / fortnightly from BigBasket
2) Vegetables: from the vegetable mandai every week
3) Ad-hoc purchases: from the neighbourhood shop as and when necessary
4) Swiggy Instamart: seldom; these orders tend to be when we're having a party and need something urgently. Of regular orders, 95% are for the dishwasher detergents and other necessities, because other platforms generally don't have them, and Swiggy has them cheaper than Amazon!

In my experience, Swiggy Instamart has the widest collection and user friendly UI vs. Blinkit / Zepto. Dunzo until now was just a delivery agent, but seems to have opened warehouses as well.

Our neighbourhood shop also does free/quick home delivery; you just have to send him a list on WhatsApp. But these apps offer unbeatable convenience in being able to search/choose products.

A lot of companies have entered this space (startups, giants such as Amazon), but from what I see, Swiggy Instamart has endured competition and surged ahead.

[myavu]

I use Instamart and wife uses blinkit for milk, butter, curd, soft drinks, snacks, cookies, etc. Both are fast and efficient. Groceries and veges are mostly from Amazon Fresh or Bigbasket depending on offers and availability.

[SmartCat]

Originally Posted by inner_roadster

I firmly think that these quick delivery apps should not be used unless absolutely necessary. The frequency of accidents resulting from the 10-minute delivery services is rising, and this is especially for the non-emergency deliveries of groceries and food items.

Random incidents we read about Swiggy/Zomato agents need to be seen in the context that there are probably 1 million delivery/courier agents in India.

Unless we have specific data on riskiness of a profession (measured as death/injury rate per 100,000 people), we cannot say for sure if delivery agent's job is riskier than that of a door-to-door salesman or a truck driver or a traffic policeman.

I don't think delivery platforms insist on "faster delivery". There is only so much time you can save by riding at 60 kmph insead of 40 kmph, when the distance travelled is just 2 kms.

You also need to consider the positive effects of such platform in terms of jobs provided. Not everybody in India can become a software engineer or a banker. Bringing ethics/morality/righteousness into the picture will result in never-ending arguments

[inner_roadster]

Originally Posted by SmartCat

You also need to consider the positive effects of such platform in terms of jobs provided. Not everybody in India can become a software engineer or a banker. Bringing ethics/morality/righteousness into the picture will result in never-ending arguments

I am just discouraging where we insist on fast or ten-minute delivery from these app-based home delivery services. These services are undoubtedly a very easy source of employment in a country like India, where demand is constantly strong. I simply need to emphasize the need to ensure these people's safety and make their jobs safer. This is why I insisted on selecting the appropriate delivery time slot preference, which is to extend the delivery time if it is not absolutely urgent.

[MangoMan]

Primarily I use blinkit as the ware house is very near (hardly 200 meters.) to my place. I have always received delivery in 8 minutes. The fastest was 3-4 mins. This has spoiled me and I end up over spending. When it was launched, the delivery fee was almost negligible. However, it has gained so much popularity that the delivery fee, surge charges etc. sometimes cost INR 60-70 over and above the cost of the items which doesn't make sense until and unless you really need them quickly. I have again started to list down the things and get them from market.

[narayans80]

My option: None

I live in the suburbs and there is basically only one delivery option: Big Basket. And that is god awful to say the least. Quality of products delivered are just downright awful. It is used in extremely rare scenarios (once a year) where neither me or spouse are able to go out and buy.

Used Dunzo in the city, only during Covid.

[arnieshwartz]

While I can't recall having had a delivery fulfilled in ten minutes, Swiggy has been our go to app for those last minute grocery purchases, via their Instamart. I have also used Dunzo and have had a comparable experience.

BigBasket remains our primary source of groceries ordered online, with a few items from Amazon, depending on where we get a better deal from.

[MotoBlip]

I switch between using Zepto and blinkit, but I mainly use Zepto when I have the Zepto Pass.

[Sensible_Speed]

I use Swiggy Instamart because I already use Swiggy to order food. I'm too lazy to download a million apps for everything. I'm also skeptical and disapproving of these services and use even Instamart only in emergencies, when I can't find a product in my local store and really need it.

[Raghu M]

There is no option which says - none! I don't like delivery systems that promise groceries/food etc. in a 10 mins window. I am absolutely fine waiting or going myself and getting them. I know it's employment for many but I strongly feel the pressure that is put on these delivery boys is immense. I have seen numerous cases where they break traffic rules and risk their lives. In short, life is valuable than a job. So - never try any of these apps.

If there is a regular delivery, in a couple of hours or by evening or even the next day, I am all for it. Someone has to tell these service providers that speed is not everything. I also understand that the business dynamics is making them try to clock record timings but there has to be a model that balances delivery and safety. I am sure none of these delivery boys even have a health insurance or medical support. I also do not order food online, I live in the Pragathi Nagar area JNTU Hyd, which has pretty much all the required facilities. I am fine to walk half to one kilometer but feel really scared to order anything online. So, when you have everything in your vicinity, it makes sense to walk or use your scooty.