(Image source from: Financialexpress.com)
Quick commerce platform Zepto, which is popular for ordering groceries, fruits, vegetables, and more, has removed all fees related to handling and surge pricing for orders, and has also made delivery free for orders over Rs 99. According to Financial Express, this change makes Zepto one of the most competitively priced options in India’s rapidly growing 10-minute delivery sector. With its new “All New Zepto Experience” program, the company has eliminated handling, rain, and surge fees on all orders. Delivery is now free for any purchases that exceed Rs 99, while orders under this amount will incur a flat fee of Rs 30. Notably, Zepto’s Rs 99 free delivery limit is the lowest among its rivals. The company has also done away with the convenience fee that used to apply to cigarette and tobacco orders, further promoting its no-fee policy across different categories. A look at the pricing strategies shows Zepto’s bold attempt to gain market share through lower costs.
Zepto charges Rs 30 for delivery with no added fees for handling or small orders. In contrast, Blinkit adds up to Rs 54 in total fees, which includes Rs 30 for delivery, Rs 4 for handling, and Rs 20 for small orders. Swiggy's Instamart charges about Rs 65, which consists of Rs 30 for delivery, Rs 9.80 for handling, Rs 15 for small orders, plus GST, as reported by Financial Express. To highlight the differences, a food service compared the price of a 390 g curd pouch, which has the same price of ₹35 on all three platforms. On Instamart, the total came to ₹100. Blinkit's price was ₹94 for the same item, while Zepto offered it at the lowest price of ₹63.50.
Zepto’s no-fee policy for orders over Rs 99 significantly undercuts both Blinkit and Instamart. Blinkit covers delivery costs for orders exceeding Rs 199, charging Rs 34 in fees for anything less. Instamart keeps a Rs 30 delivery charge until orders go over Rs 199, after which it adds Rs 16 unless you are a Swiggy One member. There are still questions about how sustainable these offers will be in the long run, especially with ongoing worries about profitability and unit economics in the 10-minute delivery market. For now, it seems that consumers are benefitting the most, enjoying lower prices and more straightforward fee structures.
