Spreading Cheer

E-commerce and automobile companies are going all out to attract customers during the festive season

- PALAK AGARWAL & ASTHA ORIEL

FROM RAPID DELIVERIES to unbeatable car deals, online shopping platforms and the auto industry are capitalising on the shopping frenzy ahead of the festive season. Quick commerce platforms Zepto and Blinkit are experiencing recordbreaking sales, and automakers like Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors are offering customers heavy discounts.

During Raksha Bandhan in August, Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart have reported record-breaking sales, driven by the growing inclination for fast deliveries and heavy discounts. Now, Zepto, Blinkit, and bigbasket also promise to deliver to the customer the latest iPhone 16 within minutes of placing the order.

The festive frenzy in quick commerce began during Raksha Bandhan, when Zepto sold four times the rakhis it sold last year.Blinkit took orders from abroad this year and in India, it sold a staggering 209 rakkis per minute. Swiggy Instamart recorded a 5x increase in its rakhi sales.

The offers by quick commerce platforms show the segment's growing share in online sales and shifting consumer behaviour. According to market research company Datum Intelligence, this festive season, quick commerce will account for about $1 billion in sales (8% of total online sales).

Chandan Mendiratta, Chief Brand Officer at Zepto, emphasises the shift towards quick commerce, noting, "What once required days of planning can now be done in minutes, with essentials, gifts, and pooja needs delivered in 10 minutes."