Flipkart Minutes crosses 1,000 dark stores as Gen Z and smaller cities fuel growth

Flipkart Minutes has crossed 1,000 micro fulfilment centres across more than 130 cities and 8,000 pincodes, less than two years after its launch in August 2024, as demand for quick commerce continues to expand beyond major urban centres.

The company said order volumes on the platform have grown 5X over the past year, driven by rising adoption among Gen Z consumers and rapid expansion in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. These markets recorded 42X growth compared with last year, supported by the addition of more than 90 new cities to the network.

According to Flipkart, demand has gained momentum in cities including Ambala, Arrah, Bokaro, Darbhanga, Jorhat, Ongole, Purnia, Saharsa and Tenali, reflecting increasing penetration of quick commerce outside metropolitan areas.

“Reaching 1,000 micro fulfilment centres is an important milestone in our journey, but more importantly, it reflects how consumer adoption of quick commerce is evolving across India,” said Hemant Badri, SVP and Head, Supply Chain, AI Transformation, New Business, Customer Experience and ReCommerce, Flipkart Group.

“We are seeing strong momentum across Bharat, reinforcing our belief that the next phase of quick commerce growth will be driven by deeper reach, wider selection, and greater accessibility,” he added.

Gen Z has emerged as the fastest-growing customer segment for Flipkart Minutes and now accounts for more than 40% of its customer base. The company said younger consumers are increasingly purchasing products across categories such as beauty, electronics, wellness and lifestyle, in addition to daily essentials.

“What began as a way to fulfil everyday essentials has evolved into a fundamentally new shopping habit for millions of Indians,” said Kunal Gupta, SVP and Head of Flipkart Minutes.

The platform said average order values for fruits and vegetables rose 30%, while repeat purchases increased by more than 20%. Flipkart Minutes also works with nearly 500 D2C brands and more than 3,000 farmers through its Samarth Krishi programme.