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Ramji Dharod, a veteran corner shop owner from Mumbai, is facing an uncertain future as the shopping landscape shifts dramatically towards online delivery. After 75 years of serving locals in his small store, Dharod, who started working alongside his father at the age of 10, now finds himself waiting for infrequent customers. Unsold snacks and a "stock clearance sale" banner depict a stark reality. "I wouldn't get a minute to breathe a few years ago, but now I rarely get anyone coming," he reflects. "They are all shopping online. I've decided to retire and close the shop."
The growth of quick commerce apps like Zomato, BlinkIt, and Zepto has fundamentally altered consumer behaviour, prompting a wave of closures among traditional neighbourhood shops. Reports indicate that an estimated 200,000 shops closed down in India last year, while cities like Chennai experienced a 20% decline in small grocers. Sunil Kenia, who operates a provision store next to Dharod's, notes his business has halved since the pandemic due to declining retail customers.
Like many urban Indians, graphic designer Monisha Sathe has embraced the convenience of quick commerce, stating, "Lugging groceries back home was a big pain." Although she misses the interaction with local vendors and the variety found in physical stores, the ease of online shopping has made it an attractive option for many. A survey from PwC reveals that 42% of urban consumers prefer quick deliveries for urgent shopping needs, impacting retailers across the board.
Despite the turbulence faced by neighborhood shops, experts caution against overstating the impact of quick commerce, arguing that it remains concentrated in a select few cities. Ankur Bisen from Technopak emphasizes the need for traditional retailers to adapt to these shifts, as they evolve into a threat in the longer term. With Bain and Company predicting 40% annual growth for quick commerce through 2030, urgent calls for government regulation are growing from trade organizations.
Quick commerce companies assert that their services offer advantages to consumers who face difficulties accessing traditional markets. While concerns over anti-competitive practices exist, some maintain that these platforms democratize access to products for smaller brands. The diversity of India's retail ecosystem suggests space for both online and offline shopping models as experts predict a cohabitation of various retail approaches.
As quick commerce continues its surge, traditional corner shops may need to rethink their strategies to remain relevant in an increasingly digital landscape, focusing on innovation and an improved shopping experience to compete with the new generation of laundry and groceries at the click of a button.
Ramji Dharod, a veteran corner shop owner from Mumbai, is facing an uncertain future as the shopping landscape shifts dramatically towards online delivery. After 75 years of serving locals in his small store, Dharod, who started working alongside his father at the age of 10, now finds himself waiting for infrequent customers. Unsold snacks and a "stock clearance sale" banner depict a stark reality. "I wouldn't get a minute to breathe a few years ago, but now I rarely get anyone coming," he reflects. "They are all shopping online. I've decided to retire and close the shop."
The growth of quick commerce apps like Zomato, BlinkIt, and Zepto has fundamentally altered consumer behaviour, prompting a wave of closures among traditional neighbourhood shops. Reports indicate that an estimated 200,000 shops closed down in India last year, while cities like Chennai experienced a 20% decline in small grocers. Sunil Kenia, who operates a provision store next to Dharod's, notes his business has halved since the pandemic due to declining retail customers.
Like many urban Indians, graphic designer Monisha Sathe has embraced the convenience of quick commerce, stating, "Lugging groceries back home was a big pain." Although she misses the interaction with local vendors and the variety found in physical stores, the ease of online shopping has made it an attractive option for many. A survey from PwC reveals that 42% of urban consumers prefer quick deliveries for urgent shopping needs, impacting retailers across the board.
Despite the turbulence faced by neighborhood shops, experts caution against overstating the impact of quick commerce, arguing that it remains concentrated in a select few cities. Ankur Bisen from Technopak emphasizes the need for traditional retailers to adapt to these shifts, as they evolve into a threat in the longer term. With Bain and Company predicting 40% annual growth for quick commerce through 2030, urgent calls for government regulation are growing from trade organizations.
Quick commerce companies assert that their services offer advantages to consumers who face difficulties accessing traditional markets. While concerns over anti-competitive practices exist, some maintain that these platforms democratize access to products for smaller brands. The diversity of India's retail ecosystem suggests space for both online and offline shopping models as experts predict a cohabitation of various retail approaches.
As quick commerce continues its surge, traditional corner shops may need to rethink their strategies to remain relevant in an increasingly digital landscape, focusing on innovation and an improved shopping experience to compete with the new generation of laundry and groceries at the click of a button.
