Rise of Quick Commerce
Platforms like Zepto, Blinkit, and Swiggy Instamart offer 10-minute deliveries, attracting urban customers with speed and discounts.
Products like soft drinks, snacks, and even groceries are available at lower prices and with doorstep convenience.
This shift in shopping habits is causing traditional kirana stores to lose business rapidly.
Impact on Kirana Stores
Many small shop owners report losses of 10–35% in sales due to competition from quick delivery services.
Kiranas struggle to match the low prices, wide selection, and late-night services offered online.
Shops with no fresh produce or specialty items are hit harder as casual walk-in customers disappear.
Some shopkeepers are shutting down or shifting to other types of businesses, like hardware stores.
Challenges Faced by Kiranas
Kiranas run on thin profit margins and often operate out of rented spaces, with high monthly costs.
They also face rising labor costs and increasing competition from platforms with deep pockets.
Many still offer credit, home delivery, and personal service — advantages valued by loyal, older customers.
Despite innovations like offering new items or discounts, many stores can't make up for lost earnings.
Looking Ahead: Uncertain Future
Experts believe kiranas in tier-2 and tier-3 cities are safer for now, as they rely on trust and local customer data.
However, if quick commerce expands further and keeps offering unsustainable discounts, even these stores are at risk.
Shopkeepers and trade bodies are calling for government support and regulations to ensure fair competition.
The fear is that if local stores vanish, consumers will become dependent on a few platforms that could raise prices once they dominate the market.
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