Zomato-Owned Blinkit Introduces Dark Stores for Faster Delivery of High-End Products

Zomato-owned Blinkit, renowned for its ultra-fast 10-minute grocery deliveries, is preparing to enter a new segment of quick commerce. The company is planning to launch a 30-minute delivery service for high-value items, including products like instant water heaters, air purifiers, and jewelry. The move marks Blinkit’s effort to expand its offerings as the rapid delivery market continues to mature. According to sources cited by Moneycontrol, the company plans to implement this strategy by the middle of FY26.

Strategy Behind Express Dark Stores

In a bid to optimize deliveries, Blinkit is setting up a chain of “express dark stores.” These stores, designed to handle larger, high-value products, will play a crucial role in facilitating 30-minute deliveries. While Blinkit’s standard dark stores are approximately 3,000 to 4,000 square feet, the express dark stores will be slightly larger, ranging between 7,000 to 8,000 square feet, to accommodate bulkier items.

The introduction of express dark stores aligns with Blinkit’s strategy to increase its average order value (AOV), which would strengthen its competitive position against key players like Amazon, Flipkart, and Tata’s BigBasket. With its new initiative, Blinkit is expected to diversify into new domains beyond groceries, helping the company improve profitability in the rapidly evolving quick commerce industry.

Boosting Profitability Through Higher Average Order Value

The success of Blinkit’s new delivery model is rooted in raising its AOV, which is crucial for profitability in the quick commerce market. Currently, Blinkit’s AOV stands at ₹614, which is higher than its competitors, Swiggy Instamart and Zepto, which have AOVs ranging between ₹450 and ₹480. By offering high-value products with a longer delivery window of 30 minutes, Blinkit aims to build a more robust profit profile.

A higher AOV generally translates into better margins for quick commerce companies. This business model, which has proven effective for Blinkit’s 10-minute grocery delivery service, is now being expanded to cover a broader range of goods, including premium and high-end items.

Industry-Wide Shift Towards Rapid Deliveries

While Blinkit is at the forefront of introducing 30-minute deliveries for high-value products, it’s not the only company exploring this model. Tata’s BigBasket is also planning to introduce 30-minute delivery services for expensive items, like air conditioners and refrigerators, through partnerships with Tata-owned retail outlets like Croma and Tata Cliq. In an interview with Source, BigBasket’s CEO, Hari Menon, emphasized that such services could revolutionize the quick commerce landscape by delivering high-end items in record time.

Menon explained that BigBasket envisions a “cluster of dark stores,” where products from multiple stores would be available to consumers on one platform, each with distinct delivery timelines depending on the nature of the items.

The Evolution of Quick Commerce

The quick commerce industry is evolving rapidly, and experts predict that 30-minute and even 2-4 hour deliveries will continue to grow. According to Sahil Barua, co-founder and CEO of Delhivery, a logistics company, the future of rapid commerce lies in optimizing deliveries within a few hours rather than in mere minutes. Barua, who also serves on the board of Swiggy, pointed out that while 10- to 15-minute deliveries have their place, longer windows offer greater profitability due to route optimization and higher order consolidation.

Barua also noted that rapid delivery services are unlikely to disrupt the broader e-commerce landscape unless they are used for delivering high-value items. He suggested that delivering low-value goods within 30 minutes may not prove profitable in the long run, especially in urban environments like India.

The Growing Demand for High-Value Deliveries

Blinkit’s decision to expand into high-value deliveries is a reflection of the changing nature of quick commerce in India. Once viewed as a luxury, rapid deliveries are now considered essential for an increasing number of consumers. Companies have been forced to evolve, offering more than just groceries. Platforms like Blinkit now deliver items ranging from iPhones to gold coins, a clear indication that the demand for high-value goods is rising.

In response, quick commerce players have significantly expanded their stock-keeping units (SKUs), increasing from a few hundred products in the early days to over 25,000 in key locations. This growth has enabled companies like Blinkit to attract a wider customer base, meeting the demands of consumers seeking variety and convenience.

Conclusion: Blinkit’s Future in the Quick Commerce Market

Blinkit’s move to introduce express dark stores and offer 30-minute deliveries for high-value items marks a significant shift in India’s quick commerce industry. By focusing on premium products and increasing its AOV, Blinkit is positioning itself to compete more directly with major e-commerce giants like Amazon and Flipkart.

As the quick commerce sector continues to evolve, Blinkit’s strategy of expanding into new domains and enhancing its delivery infrastructure will likely shape the future of the market. With the launch of express dark stores slated for mid-FY26, the company is on track to lead the next phase of rapid delivery innovation in India.