The Race for Speed:
Grocery vs. Food Delivery
The delivery time indicator for food registers an average duration of 37 minutes. This duration is longer because it includes the time needed for meal preparation in the kitchen before the delivery process can begin.
The delivery time indicator for Groceries hits an average of 16 minutes. This benchmark speed in quick commerce is made possible by a network of 'dark stores' that eliminate long-distance travel and minimize delivery time.
Market Leader:
Platform Usage.
Quick Commerce Delivery
No. Of Orders
Peak demand:
Meals vs. Must-Haves by Time
Prepared Food Delivery
mall
Zomato leads in usage, Blinkit/Swiggy/Instamart sit at similar mid levels, and Zepto ranks lowest. Users mainly rely on Zomato for meals and Blinkit/Instamart for quick groceries.
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10
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Comparing Neighborhood Deliveries
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Connaught Place
Saket & Hauz Khas
Greater Kailash
Karol Bagh
Lajpat Nagar
Green Park
Locations centered on grocery orders (like Green Park and Saket) show strong efficiency with delivery times of 12–25 minutes. In contrast, food-focused areas (such as Karol Bagh and Lajpat Nagar) take longer, around 30–40 minutes, due to food prep time and heavier traffic.
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From Meals to Minutes: Unpacking Delhi's Delivery Culture
home
Zomato dominates in the evening as people choose easy dinner options.
Morning
Night
Evening
Afternoon
Mornings begin with essential purchases, mainly fulfilled by Blinkit and Instamart.
Food delivery peaks next, mainly through Swiggy, as users opt for convenient midday meals.
Late at night, activity levels are similar across food (Zomato) and grocery apps (Instamart, Zepto), showing users divide between quick meals and last-minute supplies.