Flipkart expands quick commerce footprint with 200 dark stores in 14 cities

Flipkart Minutes, the quick commerce arm of the Walmart-owned e-commerce giant, is rapidly gaining ground in India. The service, which launched in August 2024 as a pilot in select parts of Bengaluru, now operates more than 200 dark stores across 14 cities, Business Standard reported, citing the company's senior executive. 

While Flipkart has been a familiar name for years, Vice President Kanchan Mishra said at Startup Mahakumbh that Flipkart Minutes is still relatively new but growing fast.

Focus on speed and convenience  

Flipkart Minutes promises deliveries within 10 to 15 minutes, offering groceries, household essentials, smartphones, electronics and personal care products.

Mishra emphasized that consumers today expect more than just a broad selection and low prices; they also want speed.

She noted an important shift in the customer base, which is no longer limited to younger shoppers. As more homemakers discover the convenience of quick commerce, a wider range of brands are seeing opportunities to reach new audiences through these rapid-delivery services.

Plans for further expansion  

The company is reportedly looking to grow its network to around 500 to 550 dark stores by the time it launches its flagship Big Billion Days sale in 2025, a major event that typically takes place in September or October.

Although Flipkart Minutes has already made strides with 200 dark stores, it remains smaller than some of its competitors.

Zepto, which achieved unicorn status in the quick commerce space, operates over 900 dark stores, while Swiggy Instamart and Blinkit ended the third quarter of fiscal 2025 with 705 and 1,007 dark stores, respectively.

Despite facing strong competition, Flipkart Minutes aims to distinguish itself by collaborating closely with brands and leveraging Flipkart's established customer base.

Mishra said this partnership-driven model will help drive the service to new areas and accelerate growth, ensuring that shoppers across India have speedy access to daily essentials and more.