Rohit Mishra

India’s Consumer Tech is interesting! Zepto Launches Supersaver (basically longer delivery times and higher discounts) BigBasket goes all out on Quick Commerce (they have recently announced merging bb now and bb supersaver) :) Searching for PMF and Profitablity!

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Blinkit Albinder Dhindsa Deepinder Goyal Blinkit is turning customer trust into a one-sided transaction—selling defective products and ghosting us on accountability. Feels less like a service and more like a scam. Iam beyond frustrated with Blinkit. I received a defective product right from the start, and your customer service has done nothing but waste my time. For four days, I’ve been stonewalled with “wait another 24 hours” while I tried to get a basic resolution. Now, you’ve closed the return window with zero accountability. This is outright disrespect and cheating customers. Is this how Blinkit operates? Fix this immediately—I’ve had enough of being ignored.

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[MMT Appreciation Post] - MakeMyTrip’s Acquisition of Happay from Cred – My Take Cred saw travel as a natural extension of its business (overlapping customer segments) and acquired Happay to expand its offerings. Worth noting, Happay’s largest shareholder at the time was Sequoia (32%), which also backs Cred. Sequoia’s first investment in Happay dates back to 2015, so the 2021 acquisition likely had multiple layers at play. Happay didnt succeed in vertically integrating expense and travel management (TMC). Instead, they became a go-to expense solution partner for many TMCs. Here’s where things got interesting: Travel and expense management is all about 1) inventory 2) operational intensity 3) low margins. Points 2 and 3 didn’t align with Cred’s DNA—personal lending operates at a juicy 30%+ gross margin, while travel management hovers around 6–8%. and they strength was more prod + brand and not hardcore ops (aka swiggy/zomato). Meanwhile, MakeMyTrip was quietly strengthening its enterprise game. They acquired Quest2Travel during the pandemic (talk about timing!) and also re-wrapped their B2C product as MyBiz for solopreneurs, CAs, SMEs. The missing link for enterprise customers? Expense management. Happay acquisition—brilliantly filling that gap. Those who know me know how much respect I have for MMT as a brand. Integrating acquisitions isn’t easy, yet they’ve successfully managed Goibibo, RedBus, Quest2Travel, Savaari, and now Happay. It’s also no secret that MMT has been lucky—no one in India has truly challenged them (Yatra or Cleartrip could’ve really given them a run for their money, or oyo could have nailed alternate acco). But guess, luck is hard work translated to glory :) the quality of MMT's execution is immense and no wonder they will nail this too. Personally, as an outsider, I’ve always had incredible support from MMT folks whenever I’ve had industry questions. They’re not just big—they’re big-hearted too. Watching them build a travel behemoth is inspiring to say the least! If you’re thinking long-term investments, I’d buy their stock in a heartbeat (and no, Pickyourtrail isn’t raising right now, in case you’re wondering ;P) PS: completely personal take, no affiliations to employer or investors. congrats Bhavin Modi 🇮🇳 more power to you and the team! Pickyourtrail

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Q-Commerce overtaking traditional e-commerce? Currently we are seeing a big boom in terms of the different SKUs being sold in Quick commerce apps like Zepto, Blinkit, etc. - Atomberg Technologies 's fans - Sony's PS5 - Samosa, Chai and what not - Digital Gold from Jar! Zepto is in talks to raise $300m for its broader ecommerce play. While Swiggy is preparing to file for an IPO this year, incumbent Flipkart is readying its entry into quick commerce. Zomato has invested $240 million in Blinkit over the last one year. Taking a step back, the lines between quick commerce and traditional e commerce have started to become increasingly blurred with QCom pretty much catering to every needs! Also, multiple reports suggest that QCommerce can potentially become bigger than traditional e commerce in India!  Case in point : According to Goldman Sachs, the valuation of Blinkit is greater than Zomato's core food delivery biz! Non-grocery boom in Q-Commerce: Categories including beauty, toys, health and electronics are witnessing robust sales growth on quick-commerce platforms overall. While the overall base for the new categories is still small, aggressive expansion by these players is starting to ensure a dominant presence for these categories. Plus AOV is higher which also comes with better margins, making it a win-win! Case in point: Zepto - 2x sales MoM in segments such as toys and electronics accessories - Beauty category expanded 3x QoQ - ~15% of Zepto’s $1.2bn annualised gross sales currently comes from non-grocery products (Source: Goldman Sachs) For several D2C quick commerce has become the fastest growth channel as well as the platform with highest customer engagement This is definitely a positive for the consumers and the Q-Commerce players, but is everything on the up and up?   As the demand for space on quick-commerce platforms skyrockets, niche D2C cos in segments like FMCG, beauty and personal care, and health and fitness are agreeing to pay a 30-45% commission on sales, besides shelling out on advertising and discounting on these Q-Com platforms. On top of the commissions, brands are also regularly spending around 20% of their total sales on ads on the platforms, and discounting their products by about 20-25% (totaling 60-70% revenue!). This is in stark contrast to the 10-20% commission that large FMCG cos pay these platforms reflecting the intense competition for visibility. The brand's scale and comparison with competitors are crucial considerations when it comes to new listings. On the positive side, smaller D2C brands have seen 40-60% total revenue coming from Q-Commerce compared to ~10-20% from traditional ecommerce, which is surprising! Essentially, Q-com currently has a BIIIG Bargaining power against new D2C brands and can essentially make or break their businesses! Is this sustainable on the long run? #ecommerce #quickcommerce #india #zepto #businessmodel #d2c #startups #LIPostingChallenge

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🚨 EXCLUSIVE Aditi Shrivastava breaks down Meesho's numbers for the first half of FY25: 🛍️Annualised recurring revenue: > $1 billion 🛒 Net merchandise value: Rs 14,251 crore ⬆️ 29% (y-o-y) 📌 Revenue: Rs 4,405 crore 24% 📌 Loss: Rs 41 crore The Arc Analysis: https://lnkd.in/g9tGkCS4 We're ON IT.

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2021: Only grocery delivery app in India with 10 minutes delivery 2024: Competitor chasing the '10 minute' brand segment Zepto is the only player sticking to its original promise - and is clearly acing it Scaling up a grocery delivery business is particularly challenging in India. And adding up a unique attribute, as huge as this –  has clearly been game changing for Zepto. Success didn’t come easy to Zepto too, There was a time when all the Q-commerce players faced backlash & people questioned the safety of drivers. Some brands stopped claiming the delivery time altogether, from “groceries in 15-30 minutes”, they went to “groceries in minutes” But Zepto didn’t, it went on to install a myriad of dark stores across locations, and is already serving superfast deliveries in 10 cities. Top 3 factors that helped Zepto drive exceptional growth over a very short span of time: - Captivating Customer Experience: The platform served a deeply engaging user experience and the service promise was being consistently fulfilled – a powerful combo. - Outstanding Retention: All thanks to near-perfect buying journey, Zepto achieved a retention rate which was considered only to be a fantasy for the industry earlier. - Not slowing down: More dark stores and continuous geographical expansion at the same time helped the startup acquire customers in huge numbers. Zepto cracked the key to scale in the quick commerce space by constantly growing at the same pace, and not compromising customer satisfaction at the same time – simple yet not easy. A perfect example of go big, go fast – it is surely a fascinating study for the space creators. No matter the circumstances, the brand didn’t let go of its biggest differentiator, eliminating all the question marks experts had put to its launch. What do you think is going to be the future of grocery delivery space in India? #casestudy #growth #startup

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#UnicommerceIPO and coming of age of Indian Ecomm Saas! Unicommerce is a standout company in more ways than one: * First ones to build a sizeable ARR (100 Cr, ~ 40% CAGR) and profitable at scale business (Bn shipments, $Bns in GMV) in India mostly focussing on developing geos; * Hit PMF very early in multi-channel seller fulfilment space, and built hero products like OMS & WMS; * Was a part of first Snapdeal | AceVector Group mafia start-ups, then acquired and then spun-off and groomed as a consistent compounder building a full suite of Ecomm Ops products; Honestly Unicommerce is one of the biggest enablers of Ecommerce in India, key leader from the Ecomm 1.0 cohort (2010-15 cos) n now a flag-bearer of India Saas for developing Geos! Big congratulations to Kunal Bahl, Rohit Bansal Kapil Makhija Anurag Mittal and the entire Unicommerce team for this event. Very encouraging and conviction building! Few more musings: * Not investment advice: But looks to be super listing; * From a sectoral perspective - like an index on the Indian Ecomm health, along with Delhivery (see post in comments) * Sets valuations comps for lots of cos in the space, including us at Omnivio (yeah a personal plug is always there 😂 ) https://lnkd.in/g6CsaP97 #UnicommerceIPO #ecommerce #listing Anuj Jain #goOmnivio

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💥 Is an Apocalypse Looming for Offline Retail? 💥 This burning question hit me after reading the recent article in The Economic Times (Oct 2, 2024), titled "Traffic Jam in Kirana Route as Q-Comm Industry Goes Jamming." I’ve witnessed these concerns firsthand during informal discussions with retail leaders—especially while leading the transformation of Subham K Mart, Chhattisgarh, back in 2022. The rapid rise of Q-Commerce is forcing us to rethink the very future of physical retail. Is it time for a new playbook, or are we witnessing the slow fade of offline retail? Some of my thoughts on the article: Red Flags for Traditional Retail 🚨 The future of retail stores in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities is facing serious challenges as the Q-Commerce (quick commerce) industry goes full throttle, reshaping consumer behavior at breakneck speed. ⚠️ Non-Predictive and Dangerous Days Ahead: In an era where speed is king, brick-and-mortar stores may struggle to keep pace. The Q-commerce wave promises 10-15 minute deliveries, creating an "instant gratification" culture that retailers need to reckon with. 🔍 What does this mean? Vanishing foot traffic: Customers now prefer a few taps on their phone over visiting stores. Margins under pressure: Local stores must compete with the convenience and low prices of digital platforms. Digital dominance: Q-commerce is not just a trend; it’s a revolution that’s transforming the very foundation of retail. 🚩 Red flag for retailers: If physical stores don't rethink their strategies now, they could face an uphill battle that many might not survive. The question is: Can traditional retail innovate fast enough? Now is the time for retail players to embrace technology, go all out into waste management, invest in customer experience, focus on noncore revenue models at stores and rethink the traditional model before it’s too late. Are we truly prepared for what’s coming? Coz, this is going to hit both the general trade and the modern trade as well. The article link: https://lnkd.in/dt5R69Fh #RetailApocalypse #FutureOfRetail #RetailTransformation #QCommerce #RetailTrends #DigitalDisruption #FutureOfRetail #EcommerceRevolution #RetailIndustry #RAI #CAIT #ICC #CMAI #FCG #FMCG #RetailIndustry #RetailNews #RetailInnovation #RetailTechnology #RetailMarketing #Ecommerce #RetailTrends #CustomerExperience   #DigitalTransformation #RetailTech #SustainabilityInRetail #ApparelIndustry #GroceryRetail #LuxuryRetail #RetailFashion #SupplyChain   #Logistics #Merchandising #MarketingStrategy #RetailLeaders #RetailExperts   #RetailInsights #madeinindia #corporateleadership #venturecapitalist #privateequityfirms #reit #transformation #changemanagement #leanmanagement #entrepreneurship #seedcapital #startups #startegy #wastemanagement #ceo #cfo #retail #Economictimes

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Flipkart just made life even faster! 🚀 Super excited to share this milestone: Flipkart Minutes now brings everything you need – from groceries 🛒 to gadgets – right to your doorstep in just 10 minutes! More than just speed, it’s about freeing up your time to focus on what really matters. Have you tried Flipkart Minutes yet? Let us handle the rush for you! 💨 #FlipkartMinutes #InnovationInAction #CustomerFirst #ProudToBePart #SabMilengein10Mins

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The local kirana stores (mom-and-pop stores) are losing business due to the efficiencies of the Quick Commerce players ! Option 1 - Kirana stores get digitized and connect with third party delivery companies. They then compete with the likes of Zepto & Blinkit. Individual stores will have the challenges of limited inventory & price margins but atleast can get a chance to retain their local loyal customers (This happens mostly on whatsapp or via phone call today) Option 2 - Quick Commerce players partner with local stores & use them as extended dark stores like a hub & spoke model. Efficiency & cost control will take a hit on the inventory side but potentially delivery cost should get optimized due to lesser distance and cost per km. But since most of these operate without a commercial license, partnership might be challenging Option 3 - Quick Commerce players create a marketplace, let these kirana stores list their inventory & allow customers to order via them + deliver it to the customer. This will still favour the big players due to the inventory & cost advantage but allow business via these high traffic apps to smaller players Any other options?

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Coming strong into an area that's already hot - but in a way that's sustainable and beneficial to all the parties involved in the ecosystem. Download the Pincode app and if we're currently operational in your area - would love to get user feedback and experience ; Drop me a DM and I'm happy to respond. Tangential benefits of working in this area: Using phrases like "This is like comparing apples to oranges" or "It's a chicken and egg problem" when discussing an actual assortment issue 😁 #quickcommerce #pincode #phonepe

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Officially Confirmed: Amazon Enters the Quick Commerce Arena! Amazon India is gearing up to revolutionize the quick commerce space with its upcoming venture, Tez, which is expected to launch by December 2024 or early 2025.. Starting with groceries and daily essentials, the e-commerce giant is setting up dark stores and streamlining SKUs and logistics to deliver speed and convenience like never before. Globally, Amazon's ambitions extend beyond groceries and household items-setting the stage for an exciting transformation in quick commerce.. What do you think about Amazon entering this competitive space? Will it set a new benchmark? Let's discuss! #AmazonIndia #QuickCommerce #EcommerceTrends #Innovation Keep Getting Siddyfied... 😉

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Dunzo didn’t start with an app; they started with customer conversations through WhatsApp. 🚀 By listening to what their customers actually needed—quick delivery and a broad range of items—they scaled faster and built a customer-first product. The lesson? Get feedback before you build. 💡 #CustomerFeedback #StartupTips #LeanStartup #Dunzo #ProductDevelopment

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Quick Commerce Heats Up: Swiggy Instamart & Blinkit Eye Diwali for TV and Large Appliance Delivery The quick commerce space is about to get a major shakeup! Industry buzz suggests Swiggy Instamart and Blinkit are planning to enter the TV and appliance game this Diwali, promising delivery within 40 minutes. This could be a game-changer for customer convenience, potentially disrupting giants like Amazon and Flipkart. Pros: Lightning-fast delivery: Imagine a faulty TV? No more waiting days! A new one could be at your doorstep in under an hour. Focus on bestsellers: While selection might be smaller compared to established players, these platforms will likely curate top-selling appliances, simplifying the decision-making process. Questions remain: Return policies: Will these quick commerce players offer hassle-free return policies like their larger competitors? Offers & Discounts: Can we expect similar deals and promotions compared to Amazon and Flipkart? This is a bold move by Swiggy Instamart and Blinkit, and it has the potential to redefine how we purchase appliances. While details like return policies and deals remain unclear, the promise of super-fast delivery is undeniably attractive. #Swiggy #blinkit #ecommerce #disruption #convenience #Amazon #Flipkart #appliances

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Fashion etailer Myntra has launched a 30-minute delivery service, becoming the first niche ecommerce platform to have entered quick commerce at scale. M-Now has gone live in some pockets of Bengaluru with about 10,000 stock-keeping units (SKUs) to start with. The country’s largest online fashion company plans to take the service to Mumbai, New Delhi and Pune in the coming months. M-Now will deliver fashion and beauty products, as well as accessories, within 30 minutes using dark stores, or micro warehouses, run by third parties as well as retail stores of fashion brands

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Paytm in Talks to Sell Ticketing Business to Zomato in Strategic Shift Paytm is reportedly in talks with Zomato to sell its movie and events ticketing business. This move comes as Paytm focuses on its core fintech business after facing declining sales. Zomato, with its growing cash reserves, it's an opportunity to expand its food delivery offering by integrating events and ticketing into its app. For Paytm, the ticketing business is a growing but non-core vertical. While Paytm Insider saw revenue jump in FY23, it still represents a small portion of their overall income. Zomato, on the other hand, is already investing in this area with a dedicated "Events" tab and aims to diversify beyond food delivery. This potential deal reflects both companies' current positions. Paytm needs to streamline operations after regulatory hurdles, while Zomato seeks growth opportunities. Both companies have confirmed the discussions but no final agreement has been reached. This is a space to watch as the Indian food and entertainment landscape evolves. What do you think? #zomato #paytm #ecommerce

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