Zepto, Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and BigBasket to Deliver Mobiles, TVs, Large Appliances within Minutes by Diwali 2024

This Diwali (1 November 2024), the landscape of purchasing large appliances such as TVs, air conditioners, and refrigerators is set to undergo a significant transformation, thanks to the expanding quick commerce sector. Leading platforms like BBNow, Swiggy Instamart, Zepto, and BigBasket are now venturing into the electronics market, promising delivery within minutes (mobiles, cameras, etc. within 30 mins | TVs, refrigerators, etc. within 1 hr). This development is part of a broader trend where quick commerce is not just limited to groceries and daily essentials but is rapidly extending to high-value products.

Currently, BlinkIt, Zepto, BigBasket, and Swiggy offer delivery for small daily-use electronics such as earbuds, smartwatches, Bluetooth speakers, and kitchen appliances. Last year, BlinkIt sold iPhone 15 via Unicorn (Apple reseller) for a limited period in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Pune with no-cost EMI, low-cost EMI, and up to Rs 5,000 cashback (HDFC cards) offers. Besides, Havells tested quick delivery for fans and air-coolers this summer. Boat has also started selling 5 of its top-selling products through BlinkIt and Zepto with plans to expand to soundbars. BigBasket is also stepping into mobile sales through a partnership with its Tata partner brand, Croma.

The core of this transformation lies in the use of micro-warehouses and dark stores, strategically located near urban delivery points. These facilities enable the rapid fulfillment of orders, making it possible for consumers to receive their purchases within a very short timeframe. The shift towards such a model underscores a growing consumer demand for speed and convenience, particularly during the festive season when the purchase of large appliances surges.

BBNow, BigBasket's quick commerce arm, has been at the forefront of this expansion, leveraging its extensive network to ensure quick deliveries. Similarly, Swiggy Instamart and Zepto are enhancing their logistics and technological capabilities to cater to the burgeoning demand for rapid delivery of electronics. These companies are not just competing on the speed of delivery but are also focusing on broadening their product range to include a variety of high-value electronics.

This move towards integrating electronics into quick commerce platforms is expected to significantly impact consumer buying habits. The convenience of having large appliances delivered within minutes is likely to drive higher sales and enhance customer satisfaction. Additionally, this trend is anticipated to increase competition among e-commerce players, pushing them to innovate and improve their delivery infrastructure continuously.

In conclusion, this Diwali will mark the beginning of a new era in the retail of large appliances, driven by the quick commerce revolution. As companies like BBNow, Swiggy Instamart, Zepto, and BigBasket continue to refine their models and expand their offerings, consumers can look forward to an unprecedented level of convenience and efficiency in their shopping experiences.