Business Idea: These days, you may have noticed that you order something online and the item arrives at your doorstep within 5 to 10 minutes. This type of service is called quick commerce. The locations where these services operate for super-fast delivery are called dark stores. Quick commerce companies like Swiggy Instmart, Blinkit, and Zepto have opened dark stores in several major cities, providing super-fast delivery. Their demand is rapidly increasing. They can also be a good source of income for you. If you also want to earn money from dark stores, let us explain how this is possible.
Amid the surge in quick commerce following the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for dark stores is growing in cities, both large and small. Swiggy Instamart announced on September 10th that it plans to expand its dark store network into Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. “Our expansion into these new locations allows even more people to experience delivery of thousands of products in just 10 minutes,” said Amitesh Jha, CEO of Swiggy Instamart.
Similarly, Blinkit said in its financial report for the first quarter of FY 2024-25 that it plans to more than double its dark store network to 2000 by FY 2025-26 from around 639 at the end of June 2024.
What are dark stores?
Srinivas N, MD, Industrial and Logistics, Savills India, said that a dark store is a small warehousing urban distribution center specifically for online shopping. Its area ranges from 3,000 to 8,000 square feet and is located near densely populated residential areas to ensure quick delivery.
Dark stores stock a wide variety of products and operate 24/7. This provides quick access to inventory, reduces transportation costs, shortens turn-around times, and improves delivery capabilities.
Dark stores are located near dense residential areas to ensure timely delivery. Dark stores are typically located in the basements of small commercial buildings, parking lots, and alleys. Furthermore, these stores are not frequented by customers. Therefore, low-cost locations are most functional for dark stores.
How can you earn?
You don’t have to do much to earn money from dark stores. You can rent a large space to quick-commerce companies like Zepto and Instmart. Or you can franchise them and have goods delivered from dark stores. The dark shop model is projected to generate revenue of $414.31 billion by 2033, a 30% increase from 2023.
To register, sign up on the Swiggy Instamart Partner Portal (search from the Swiggy Partners page). Then, fill out the form: company details, brand, contact, GSTIN, PAN, annual-monthly turnover, top SKUs, and estimated sales. The team will contact you within 7-14 days after submission. This is a great opportunity if you want to start a business. You just need to plan smartly, and with an investment of just Rs 3.2 million, you can earn up to Rs 4 million per month for as long as you’re in business.