Quick commerce, often referred to as Q-commerce is a rapidly emerging trend in the world of E-commerce and delivery services. It focuses on delivering the products to the customers in the shortest possible span and interchangeably also called on-demand delivery at times. With quick-commerce companies do not aim to beat the biggest stores in the city but the go-to store in an area, the warehouses are not placed on the outskirts of the city, but micro warehouses are built throughout the city near residential areas with the SKUs most in demand. A single dark store usually caters to an area of 2 km in radius.
Approximately 75% of customers prioritize product quality and freshness when making purchasing decisions. This is closely followed by around 60% of customers who consider pricing offers and discounts a significant factor. Quicker deliveries are also important, with about 35% of customers valuing fast order fulfillment.
In the realm of quick commerce customer preferences are distinctively defined and divided among these categories:
Product Quality: Customers prioritize product quality, with an emphasis on freshness for items like fruits and vegetables, and authenticity for packaged FMCG products.
Pricing Offers and Discounts: Price sensitivity is evident among customers, who actively compare platforms for the best offers and discounts. Minimizing overall costs, including product prices and delivery fees, is a key consideration. Customers also weigh additional costs, like distance fees, against competitors.
Delivery Speed: Swift delivery is of utmost importance to Q-commerce customers, particularly for immediate needs. Speedy order fulfillment aligns with the quick commerce model.
Product Availability: Customers seek product availability across categories, from staples to niche brands and imported items. A diverse range of products contributes to a satisfying shopping experience.
Approximately 85% of customers engage in price and delivery fee comparisons when evaluating online grocery apps, highlighting their emphasis on value. Moreover, a significant 80% of customers express their willingness to switch platforms if confronted with an increase in delivery fees. This underscores the critical role of competitive pricing and transparent fee structures in maintaining customer satisfaction and retention within the online grocery sector.
Approximately 60% of impulsive or emergency purchases are driven by urgent needs, while around 65% of monthly purchases are motivated by the appeal of bulk discounts. Additionally, roughly 70% of weekly top-up purchases are aimed at saving time. These insights underscore the diverse factors influencing consumer buying behavior, with convenience, discounts, and immediacy playing pivotal roles in shaping shopping patterns across different timeframes.
Consumer behavior in Q-commerce is notably driven by distinct motivations. Urgent demand requires immediate online purchases through Q-commerce platforms to fulfil unforeseen needs. The pursuit of freshness leads customers to acquire short-shelf-life products online daily. Bulk discounts, and cost-effective monthly planned purchases, primarily online, enabling better expense tracking. Convenience drives online shopping for daily essentials, saving time and effort. Weekly top-ups online cater to time-saving needs, bypassing the hassle of repeated offline purchases.
Fresh produce, primarily offline, addresses perishable items, while weekly offline purchases create a strong habit of stocking up on daily necessities. These trends highlight the sway of convenience, savings, and quality in shaping Q-commerce shopping preferences.