Flipkart has rolled out a beta version of a standalone app for its quick commerce platform Minutes, initially available to a limited user base in Delhi NCR. This move aims to provide a dedicated user experience for fast delivery of daily essentials amid a fiercely competitive market in India.
- Minutes app launched in beta for select users in Delhi NCR
- Offers zero platform fees, discounts, and free delivery on orders over ₹99
- Flipkart expanding dark stores to nearly 2,000 by mid-2027
What happened
Flipkart has introduced a standalone mobile app for its quick commerce platform, Minutes, currently in beta and accessible to a limited audience primarily in the Delhi NCR region. The app aims to streamline quick access to daily essentials while offering incentives like zero platform fees, discounts, and free delivery for orders exceeding ₹99. Previously integrated within the main Flipkart app, Minutes now has a dedicated interface to enhance user focus on fast commerce.
The debut of this app complements Flipkart's expanding network of approximately 1,000 micro-fulfilment centers in 130 cities, with plans to grow to 1,500 centers across 180 cities by the end of 2026 and potentially 2,000 centers by mid-2027 ahead of major sales events. This infrastructure supports the rapid fulfilment of orders, a critical component as the company competes with well-established players like Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart.
Why it matters
India's quick commerce sector is heating up with several players investing heavily in dark store networks and swift delivery capabilities. Flipkart’s decision to launch a dedicated app for Minutes signals an attempt to build a distinct brand identity and specialized customer journey for consumers who prioritize speed and convenience in purchasing essentials. It reflects a strategic shift to capture a growing segment of urban consumers focused on immediacy.
Additionally, Flipkart’s backing of Minutes with its existing ecommerce network and logistics expertise gives it a competitive edge in scaling quickly. With mature stores handling up to 1,500 orders daily and metro cities accounting for a majority share of demand, Flipkart is positioned to leverage its scale to improve margins and customer retention. This move also impacts the broader landscape where rivals continue to battle for market share in rapid grocery and essentials delivery.
What to watch next
Flipkart’s expansion plans for Minutes will be a key focus, particularly whether it can execute the proposed growth to 2,000 dark stores by mid-2027 and extend availability beyond current test markets. How well the dedicated app performs in terms of customer experience and order volume will influence the platform’s ability to contest the market leaders.
Another dimension to observe is Flipkart’s parallel launch of Eat In, a food delivery service currently piloted internally in Bengaluru and planned for public rollout soon. Leveraging its existing user base and logistics network while setting competitive commission rates marks an ambitious attempt to disrupt the foodtech duopoly dominated by Zomato and Swiggy. The success of these intertwined quick commerce and food delivery efforts will be pivotal in shaping Flipkart’s role in India’s growing fast delivery economy projected to reach $46 billion by 2034.