Diwali is just around the corner, and if you’re not yet done with your festive shopping spree, don’t worry, quick commerce websites have your back!
As Deepavali festivities are drawing close, quick commerce platforms are rolling out bigger discounts and stocking up festive essentials to meet rising demand.
Blinkit and Zepto launched special Diwali sales in October with sharp discounts, according to sources cited by ET.
Flipkart has extended its Big Bang Diwali sale to its quick commerce arm, Flipkart Minutes, offering deals on sweets, gift boxes, and home décor. Swiggy Instamart, which ran a sale last month, continues to promote Diwali party and gifting items. Popular brands such as Pepsi, Lays, Amul, Ferrero Rocher, Cadbury, and Haldiram’s are also running offers through quick commerce channels.
Average discounts have climbed to over 20% on Blinkit and 15–16% on Zepto, up from 10–12% last month. Some products are being sold at 60–70% off their maximum retail price, with offers like “buy one, get three” also available.
The surge in promotions coincides with brands flooding quick commerce channels to capture festive demand and recover from disruptions caused by GST changes. The September 22 GST overhaul cut taxes on thousands of daily-use items, affecting supply and purchase patterns.
E-commerce consultancy Datum Intelligence predicts that this festive season, the country’s 10-minute delivery segment will generate $1.6 billion in gross sales, accounting for 12% of overall online sales, as per ET.
Paritosh Ladhani, joint MD at SLMG Beverages, Coca-Cola’s largest bottler, said, We expect volumes to rise sharply, so our teams are prepared to handle the demand surge, from sourcing, supply chain, production, warehousing and distribution, since reaching shelves on time is crucial…this is the season that tests our systems.”
Platforms are also encouraging brands to create festive hampers and combo packs. A senior quick commerce executive told ET, “Combo packs also yield better unit economics for the brands… and the inventory is rolled out more frequently.”
Ferrero SpA’s India unit, which sells Ferrero Rocher, Kinder, and Tic Tac, is running a festive campaign focused on “families and occasions,” said marketing head Zoher Kapuswala.
Quick commerce platforms are highlighting Diwali-specific items such as diya lamps, flowers, gold and silver coins, brooms, and decorative lights. “We have seen a clear push from platforms to highlight festive essentials… they’re ensuring these products stay front and centre in the app during the festive rush, right alongside snacks and gifting items,” said a seller working with multiple platforms.
Jayen Mehta, managing director of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (Amul), said, “We are fully aligned to market opportunities. Our supply chains are geared for retail across channels as this is the best time of the year.”
The firm said that it is advertising products tied to quick-commerce channels as well as its own e-commerce platform in a very big way.
ICICI Securities noted that discretionary product demand remained muted in the September quarter due to delayed purchases as consumers awaited GST cuts, but expects improvement from the next quarter. Hindustan Unilever, Godrej Consumer Products, and Dabur also cited GST disruptions affecting sales and profitability.
Rukam Capital and YouGov project India’s festive retail economy will reach $125–150 billion this year, a 23% increase over last year.
As Deepavali festivities are drawing close, quick commerce platforms are rolling out bigger discounts and stocking up festive essentials to meet rising demand.
Blinkit and Zepto launched special Diwali sales in October with sharp discounts, according to sources cited by ET.
Flipkart has extended its Big Bang Diwali sale to its quick commerce arm, Flipkart Minutes, offering deals on sweets, gift boxes, and home décor. Swiggy Instamart, which ran a sale last month, continues to promote Diwali party and gifting items. Popular brands such as Pepsi, Lays, Amul, Ferrero Rocher, Cadbury, and Haldiram’s are also running offers through quick commerce channels.
Average discounts have climbed to over 20% on Blinkit and 15–16% on Zepto, up from 10–12% last month. Some products are being sold at 60–70% off their maximum retail price, with offers like “buy one, get three” also available.
The surge in promotions coincides with brands flooding quick commerce channels to capture festive demand and recover from disruptions caused by GST changes. The September 22 GST overhaul cut taxes on thousands of daily-use items, affecting supply and purchase patterns.
E-commerce consultancy Datum Intelligence predicts that this festive season, the country’s 10-minute delivery segment will generate $1.6 billion in gross sales, accounting for 12% of overall online sales, as per ET.
Paritosh Ladhani, joint MD at SLMG Beverages, Coca-Cola’s largest bottler, said, We expect volumes to rise sharply, so our teams are prepared to handle the demand surge, from sourcing, supply chain, production, warehousing and distribution, since reaching shelves on time is crucial…this is the season that tests our systems.”
Platforms are also encouraging brands to create festive hampers and combo packs. A senior quick commerce executive told ET, “Combo packs also yield better unit economics for the brands… and the inventory is rolled out more frequently.”
Ferrero SpA’s India unit, which sells Ferrero Rocher, Kinder, and Tic Tac, is running a festive campaign focused on “families and occasions,” said marketing head Zoher Kapuswala.
Quick commerce platforms are highlighting Diwali-specific items such as diya lamps, flowers, gold and silver coins, brooms, and decorative lights. “We have seen a clear push from platforms to highlight festive essentials… they’re ensuring these products stay front and centre in the app during the festive rush, right alongside snacks and gifting items,” said a seller working with multiple platforms.
Jayen Mehta, managing director of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (Amul), said, “We are fully aligned to market opportunities. Our supply chains are geared for retail across channels as this is the best time of the year.”
The firm said that it is advertising products tied to quick-commerce channels as well as its own e-commerce platform in a very big way.
ICICI Securities noted that discretionary product demand remained muted in the September quarter due to delayed purchases as consumers awaited GST cuts, but expects improvement from the next quarter. Hindustan Unilever, Godrej Consumer Products, and Dabur also cited GST disruptions affecting sales and profitability.
Rukam Capital and YouGov project India’s festive retail economy will reach $125–150 billion this year, a 23% increase over last year.
You may also like
RJD, Congress should be realistic on Bihar seat sharing with allies: CPI (ML) chief Dipankar Bhattacharya
After Army alert, Baramulla administration bans drones
CBI court frames charges against Lalu Prasad, his wife Rabri Devi, son Tejashwi & others
ED joins cough syrup case, raids places linked to Sresan, TN officials
SC Junks PIL Seeking SIT Probe into 'Vote Chori' Allegations
