The rapid rise of quick commerce has transformed consumer expectations, with companies like Blinkit and Zepto promising delivery of everyday essentials in as little as 10 minutes. This feat of logistical engineering relies on a network of strategically located “dark stores” and a sophisticated operational system, as explained by C Sumit Anand and Rupesh Thakare, Co-founders of Inamo, a company that powers India’s quick commerce infrastructure.
In a conversation led by Brij Bhushan, Managing Partner at Prime Venture Partners, Anand and Thakare discussed the origins of Inamo, which stemmed from observing the increasing demand for quick commerce and the need for a robust infrastructure to support it. “We could see green shoots,” Sumit Anand noted, highlighting the potential for significant growth in the sector.
Unlike many ventures focused on the consumer-facing aspects of quick commerce, Inamo chose to tackle the operational challenges. “Most founders will build an app. We had answers to how better than why,” Anand stated, emphasizing their focus on store efficiency, picking speeds, workforce training, and inventory management.
Dark stores, Anand explained, are essentially miniaturized fulfillment centers optimized for speed rather than space. Every aspect of a dark store, from its layout to inventory placement, is designed to minimize the time it takes to fulfill an order. Rupesh Thakare added that Inamo uses simulators to train its workforce on efficient workflows before they handle real orders, addressing the challenge of high turnover rates.
The pandemic played a significant role in accelerating the adoption of quick commerce, as it forced operators to reinvent their supply chains, according to Anand. The sustained growth, however, is attributed to the convenience factor. “Once consumers experience that convenience, there is no going back,” Thakare said.
While the consumer experience appears seamless, the economics behind quick commerce are complex, involving revenue streams from product margins, convenience fees, delivery charges, and advertising. Sumit Anand highlighted the importance of targeted advertising as a revenue driver.
Looking ahead, Anand anticipates that the definition of “quick” will evolve, with different categories operating on varying timelines. He suggested that anything less than same-day delivery will likely be labeled as quick, depending on factors such as demand density and cost structures.
In a rapidly changing landscape, the ability to adapt and execute efficiently is crucial. As Anand concluded, many consumers will benefit from the quick commerce solutions Inamo facilitates, even without knowing the company’s role behind the scenes.