Quick Commerce Explained: How to Build a Fast Delivery App in 2025

Think about the last time you needed something in a hurry: maybe ingredients for a recipe you just decided to make, a charger for your phone, or medicine for a headache. For a growing number of people, the solution isn't a trip to the store. It’s pulling out their phone and having what they need arrive at their door in minutes.

This growing demand has given rise to a new business model called Quick Commerce (Q-Commerce), and it's changing how people shop for everyday items. Quick commerce is more than just faster delivery, it’s about changing the way businesses serve customers. And for entrepreneurs, startups, and established businesses, this is the right time to enter the space and build apps that can meet this need.

If you've been considering creating an app for fast delivery, now is a good time to explore it. This guide will walk you through what it takes to build one.

What Is Quick Commerce?

Quick commerce is the next step after e-commerce. While traditional ecommerce delivers in a few days and same-day services aim for hours, quick commerce promises delivery within 10 to 30 minutes.

It started with food and grocery apps but has now expanded into many categories:

• Medicines
• Daily essentials
• Flowers and gifts
• Electronics and gadgets
• Pet supplies
• Personal care items, and more.

From New York to New Delhi, customers are expecting speed as part of the service.

Why Quick Commerce Is Growing So Fast

The desire for quick delivery is a direct response to the way modern life works. The numbers back it up:

• Market size: The global quick commerce market was valued at USD 170.80 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 337.59 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 9.01%. North America currently leads with a 33.52% market share in 2024 (Source: Fortune Business Insights).
• User growth: The number of users is expected to reach 930.3 million by 2030. (Statista)
• Penetration rate: User penetration will rise from 8.6% in 2025 to 11.4% by 2030.
• Revenue per user: The average revenue per user (ARPU) is projected at USD 288.79.

So, what’s driving this surge? Several global factors:

• Busy lifestyles: People are balancing work, family, and social lives. People want convenience without waiting and saving time on errands is incredibly valuable. 
• Urban living: With dense cities and smaller distances, fast delivery is easier to achieve.
• Changing habits: Online shopping is now part of daily life, not just for special occasions.
• Tech progress: Better apps, GPS, and payment systems make it possible to deliver faster.

Shoppers aren’t doing big weekly hauls anymore. Instead, they’re buying smaller amounts more frequently to meet immediate needs. This steady demand has fueled the rise of companies like Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart (India), Getir (Turkey), and Gopuff (US), all proving how impactful this model can be.

Top Examples of Quick Commerce Around the World

Here are some of the leading players proving that the model works across different regions:

1. Zepto (India)

Launched in 2021, Zepto has become a household name in India with its 10-minute grocery delivery promise. By building a network of dark stores across major cities, it delivers everything from milk to fresh produce in record time. Zepto holds the second-largest share (around 29%) in the rapidly growing Indian quick commerce market, with Blinkit leading and Swiggy Instamart third.

2. Blinkit (India, formerly Grofers)

Blinkit shifted from a regular grocery delivery service to a quick commerce model, focusing on 10-20 minute deliveries. With strong backing and integration with Zomato, it has become a leading example of how established companies can successfully pivot into this space.

3. Getir (Turkey, Europe & US expansion)

Founded in Turkey, Getir is among the pioneers of the quick commerce industry. It now operates in several European countries and the US, delivering groceries, snacks, and essentials in as little as 15 minutes.

4. Gopuff (USA)

One of the earliest quick commerce success stories in the US, Gopuff delivers convenience store items, snacks, drinks, and even household essentials directly from its own micro-fulfillment centers. Operating in over 1,000 US cities, Gopuff shows that q-commerce isn’t limited to groceries alone.

Why Businesses Should Enter Quick Commerce Now

• The demand is already here: Customers expect speed, and businesses that can provide it will win loyalty.
• It goes beyond food: Almost anything can be delivered quickly, opening space for new niches.
• App revenue models are flexible: You can earn from delivery fees, subscriptions, or premium services.
• First movers gain the advantage: Starting early helps you build trust and brand recognition before the market gets crowded.

In simple terms: quick commerce is not just for giants. With the right idea and technology, even a small startup can capture customers.

What Makes a Good Quick Commerce App: Top Features to Include

A quick commerce app is actually a three-part system: one for customers, one for delivery partners, and one for businesses/admins. All three need to work together smoothly for the service to succeed.

For Customers: The Front-Facing Experience

This is the app your end-users will download and interact with. It should be simple, fast, and reliable, removing friction at every step and making the process of getting goods from a digital cart to a customer's door as smooth as possible.

1. Easy Search and Browsing: 

Customers should be able to find what they need quickly through categories, filters, and smart search suggestions.

• Go beyond a simple search bar. Implement smart, fuzzy search that understands typos and shows relevant results instantly. 
• Include well-organized categories, filters (by price, brand, dietary need), and the ability to save "favorites" for repeat purchases. 
• A visual, photo-heavy interface mimics the in-store experience and helps users feel confident in their choices.

2. Simple Checkout & Multiple Payment Options: 

A lengthy checkout process is a major cause of abandoned carts, hence implementing a minimum-click checkout process with support for cards, wallets, UPI, and cash-on-delivery makes purchases hassle-free.

• Enable a "guest checkout" option and allow users to save their address and payment details for future orders. 
• Crucially, support all popular local and global payment methods like credit/debit cards, digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), PayPal, and, in many markets, cash on delivery (COD) is still essential. 
• Security badges (PCI DSS compliance) are a must to build trust.

3. Real-Time Order Tracking: 

Real-time updates on where their order is and how long it will take help build trust and reduce uncertainty. This feature transforms anxiety into anticipation. 

• Provide a visual, map-based tracking system that shows the user the exact location of their delivery partner, much like ride-hailing apps do. 
• Include clear status updates: "Order Prepared," "Picked Up," and "On the Way" with an accurate, live estimated time of arrival (ETA). 

This transparency is core to the quick commerce promise.

4. Personalized Suggestions: 

Using past orders and browsing history, the app can encourage repeat purchases.

• Use data intelligently to create a stickier experience. 
• The app should highlight "frequently bought" items and, based on past order history, suggest relevant products ("Customers who bought X also bought Y") and special offers. 

This not only improves user experience but also increases the average order value through smart upselling.

5. In-App Communication:

Things can change: a user might need to add an item or a driver might have trouble finding an address. 

• An integrated chat or call feature keeps communication within the app, protecting everyone's privacy by anonymizing phone numbers. 
• This allows customers and drivers to update instructions, ask questions, or resolve issues instantly, without any delays.

For Delivery Partners

This app is a productivity tool for your delivery partners. It must be robust, clear, and designed to help them work efficiently and earn more.

1. Intuitive Order Alerts & Management:

• Deliver clear, audible alerts for new orders with all critical information at a glance: pickup address, items list, delivery address, and promised delivery time. 
• Couriers should be able to easily accept, reject, or view their queue of orders without confusion.

2. Smart Navigation & Route Optimization:

• Integrate directly with powerful mapping APIs like Google Maps or Mapbox. 
• The app shouldn't just show a static address; it should provide one-tap navigation, optimize routes for multiple deliveries, and account for real-time traffic conditions. 
• This minimizes delivery times and reduces fuel consumption, directly impacting a courier's earnings and efficiency.

3. Simple Proof of Delivery (POD):

The final step in the journey is the most important, making sure the order is safely handed over. The app should provide quick and secure ways to confirm delivery, so both customers and businesses have peace of mind.

Some effective methods include:

• OTP Verification: The customer shares a one-time code with the driver to confirm the order is received.
• Photo Proof: The driver takes a picture of the package at the doorstep, useful for contactless deliveries.
• Digital Signature: The customer signs on the driver’s phone, creating a clear confirmation record.

These options create a simple digital proof of delivery, which helps avoid disputes and ensures every order is tracked to completion.

4. Transparent Earnings Dashboard: 

A clear breakdown of completed deliveries, daily/weekly earnings, and bonuses so drivers can easily track their income.

• Build trust with your delivery fleet by providing absolute clarity on their earnings. 
• The dashboard should show a detailed breakdown for each completed trip, any incentives or bonuses earned, and the total for the day or week. 
• Include features to easily transfer earnings to their bank account.

For Admins and Businesses:

This panel is the central nervous system of the entire operation. It provides the comprehensive oversight and powerful tools needed to not only manage daily logistics, but also to analyze performance, optimize workflows, and drive strategic growth.

1. Centralized Operational Overview:

The login dashboard should provide a real-time snapshot of key performance indicators (KPIs): 

• Total Active Orders
• Orders Completed Today
• Current Online Users
• Active Delivery Partners
• System Health Status

This allows managers to identify and react to issues instantly.

2. Dynamic Inventory & Catalog Management:

Admins need a powerful tool to manage thousands of SKUs across multiple warehouses or "dark stores." 

• This includes bulk uploading products, updating prices and stock levels in real-time, applying discounts, categorizing items, and swiftly hiding out-of-stock products to avoid customer disappointment.

3. Comprehensive Vendor & Partner Management:

For businesses working with multiple suppliers or restaurants, the dashboard should let admins manage partnerships and track performance.

• A module to onboard and manage store partners and delivery fleets including tracking vendor performance, managing commissions, handling driver documentation (KYC, licenses), and overseeing their approval status and service quality.

4. Integrated Support & Dispute Resolution Hub:

A ticketing or live chat system to help resolve customer complaints or driver issues quickly.

• Instead of juggling emails and phone calls, support teams should have a single screen to view, assign, and track customer and driver tickets. 
• Integration with the order and user database allows them to see the full context of any issue and resolve it quickly.

5. Advanced Analytics & Reporting:

Data is your most valuable asset. The admin panel must turn data into actionable insights.

• Generate custom reports on sales trends, peak business hours, most popular products, customer acquisition costs, average delivery times, and driver performance. 
• These insights are crucial for making informed decisions about marketing, inventory, and expansion.

6. Granular Order Tracking & Logs:

Detailed logs of completed, canceled, and pending orders to understand where bottlenecks occur.

• Admins should be able to drill down into any order in the system to see its complete history: when it was placed, when it was prepared, which driver picked it up, their live route, and proof of delivery. 
• This audit trail is vital for customer support and optimizing the delivery pipeline.

By investing in these comprehensive features for all three user groups, you don't just build an app; you create the foundation of a reliable and successful quick commerce business. If any one of them is weak, the entire chain suffers.

The Technology Stack for Building a Q-Commerce App

To deliver instant reliability, your app must be built on a tech stack designed for speed and scalability. Here’s a concise overview:

Frontend (Mobile Apps):

• Cross-Platform: Use React Native or Flutter for cost-efficient, performant apps on iOS and Android.
• Native Development: Opt for Kotlin (Android) or Swift (iOS) for unmatched performance and platform-specific features.

Backend (Server-Side Logic):

• Frameworks: Leverage Node.js, Python (Django), or Java to build scalable, real-time APIs capable of handling high-order volumes.

Database:

• Structured Data: PostgreSQL for transactional data (users, orders, inventory).
• Flexibility & Caching: MongoDB for unstructured data and Redis for rapid session caching.

Real-Time Features:

WebSockets or Firebase enable live order tracking, alerts, and seamless communication.

Cloud & DevOps:

• Cloud Platforms: AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure for elastic, scalable infrastructure.
• CI/CD Pipelines: Automate testing and deployment for rapid, disruption-free updates.

Third-Party Integrations:

Essential tools make the app complete:

• Payments: Stripe, Braintree, or Razorpay.
• Maps & Navigation: Google Maps or Mapbox.
• Communications: Twilio (SMS/calls) and SendGrid (email).

This integrated stack ensures your app is fast, reliable, and ready to grow.

Key Considerations Before Building Your Quick Commerce Application

Before jumping into development, think strategically about these essentials:

• Market Scope: Start hyperlocal (one neighborhood or city) to refine your model before scaling wider.
• Dark Stores: Success depends on micro-fulfillment centers (MFCs) located within 10-30 minute delivery zones.
• Fleet Model: Decide whether to manage your own delivery team (more control, higher cost) or partner with aggregators (faster scaling, less control).
• Compliance: Ensure data privacy (GDPR, CCPA), payment security (PCI DSS), and local business regulations are followed.
• Customer Experience: Speed matters, but so do reliability and trust. Focus on timely deliveries and clear communication.

Steps to Start Your Quick Commerce Journey

If you’re thinking about building your own quick commerce app, here’s a simple roadmap:

• Research your market: Decide what category you want to focus on.
• Define your value: What makes your service unique? Speed, product variety, or subscription perks?
• Build your MVP: Start with a minimum viable product (basic version of the app) to test your idea.
• Work with the right tech partner: A strong technology team ensures your app is reliable and ready to scale.
• Launch and grow: Start small, learn from customers, and expand as demand increases.

The Future of Quick Commerce

The future is moving toward even faster and smarter delivery:

• Drones and autonomous vehicles will make logistics faster.
• AI personalization will predict what customers need before they order.
• Sustainability will play a big role, with eco-friendly packaging and electric vehicles for delivery.
• Quick commerce is becoming the new standard in retail and services.

Building the Future of Instant Delivery Starts Today

Quick commerce is rewriting the rules of online shopping. Customers want speed, businesses want loyalty, and technology is making it all possible.

If you’re planning to build a quick commerce app, now is the time. Entering the space early gives you the advantage to grow before the market becomes crowded.

Our team at Softices can design, develop, and scale apps for global markets. If you have an idea in mind, we’d be happy to help you turn it into a powerful quick commerce platform.