Zero handling fees give one player an edge in quick commerce
One leading quick commerce platform has moved to zero handling and platform fees, setting it apart from rivals that still charge customers for order handling. This change makes the platform the only mainstream player to remove these charges entirely, reshaping the immediate pricing landscape for grocery and convenience deliveries.
How the pricing stacks up
- The zero-fee platform: no handling or platform charges for customers.
- Rival A: Charges a handling fee of ₹9.8.
- Rival B: Charges a handling fee of ₹4.
- Delivery fees for orders below ₹199 remain at ₹30 on the competing platforms.
What customers stand to gain
For shoppers, dropping handling and platform fees is an immediate win. It lowers the effective cost of small, frequent orders—one of the key use cases for quick commerce. Even when delivery charges apply for low-value carts, removing additional surcharges can make orders feel more transparent and better value for money.
Implications for the market
The move could pressure competitors to rethink their fee structures or introduce alternate incentives such as faster delivery windows, loyalty discounts, or subscription plans. While cheaper customer pricing can boost order volumes and retention, it may also squeeze margins unless offset by higher order frequency, scale efficiencies, or merchant partnerships.
Looking ahead
Expect quick commerce players to test different combinations of fees, minimum order thresholds, and subscription bundles in the coming months. For consumers, the short-term outcome is clearer pricing and easier decisions for small, time-sensitive purchases. For the industry, this is another step in the evolving trade-off between customer acquisition and unit economics.