"Quick Commerce" Is Exploding. Here’s How U.S. Brands Can Get In On It.

Imagine ordering shampoo at 9:00 p.m. and having it arrive before you even finish brushing your teeth.

That’s the reality across India right now, where “quick commerce” players like Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart are reshaping how people shop. Groceries, sexual wellness products, niche beauty items—you name it—are being delivered in 10–20 minutes.

And it’s not just groceries anymore. DTC brands in categories like skincare, curly hair care, fitness accessories, and even specialty foods are seeing explosive growth by plugging into these networks. The secret? Convenience + discovery.

Why Quick Commerce Works

• Speed as a differentiator. Consumers in smaller Indian cities are skipping the “browse online, wait 3 days” model. If they can buy instantly, they will.

• Impulse-driven purchases. Quick commerce thrives on “I need it now” moments—perfect for consumables, beauty, snacks, or supplements.

• Brand discovery. These apps don’t just sell—they feature. Trending products get surfaced the same way TikTok makes songs go viral.

In India, this has fueled 20–25% growth in niche DTC categories that would have taken years to build via traditional ecommerce.

The Big Question: What About the U.S.?

We’re not there yet—but cracks are forming.

• DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Instacart are already building “quick commerce rails.” They’re quietly onboarding more than just restaurants and groceries.

• Gopuff pioneered the idea, and although it’s scaled back, it proved consumer appetite exists.

• Retail marketplaces (Amazon Prime Now, Walmart Express) are experimenting with same-day micro-fulfillment.

The infrastructure is in motion.

How U.S. DTC Brands Can Get Ahead

Here’s how founders and operators can start participating before it’s mainstream:

1. List on Delivery Apps
   Test listing your top 2–3 SKUs on DoorDash or Uber Eats. Start with fast-moving consumables like beverages, snacks, or self-care.

2. Bundle “Quick Commerce Packs”
   Think smaller-sized bundles—single-serve or impulse-buy versions that fit the use case. If you sell protein powder, make 2-scoop “on-the-go” packs.

3. Micro-Warehousing
   Partner with 3PLs that have urban hubs or even use dark stores. Fast shipping is no longer enough—you need local nodes.

4. Marketing Collabs With Platforms
   In India, brands that negotiate featured placement on Zepto or Blinkit’s homepage get outsized sales. Don’t just list—partner.

5. Test Paid Ads Inside These Apps
   Just like Amazon sponsored ads, DoorDash and Instacart have ad units. Being an early advertiser = lower CPMs and better visibility.

Why This Matters Now

If you’re a U.S. DTC brand waiting for “proof,” you’re already late. The quick commerce revolution is unfolding globally, and history says consumer behavior doesn’t stop at borders.

Uber Eats went from sushi to Sephora in a blink. DoorDash is now delivering dog toys and deodorant. This isn’t “if”—it’s “when.”

The DTC brands who experiment today will own the shelf space tomorrow.

Takeaway

Quick commerce is the next distribution channel. Not as a replacement for Shopify, but as a layer on top of it.
Brands that adapt their product, packaging, and ops to fit the “I want it now” mindset will carve out entirely new revenue streams.

And when it does hit scale in the U.S., you’ll want your brand to already be there—because in quick commerce, speed is everything.

What do you think? Is ecommerce 2.0 all about speed? Let me know in the comments below or roast me for being off on this one.

-Parker Burr

Founder @ Bylders.io 

Founder @ Evana.app