Reliance Retail's Quick Commerce Surge Hits 1.6M Daily Orders as Market Leader Blinkit Holds Steady

Reliance Retail, India's largest retail chain, reported its quick commerce service peaked at 1.6 million daily orders in Q4 2025 according to company data. The figure represents significant growth for Reliance's JioMart Express service, which leverages the conglomerate's extensive network of physical stores and supply chains. However, market leader Blinkit (owned by Zomato) maintained its position with an average of 2.4 million daily orders during Q3 2025.

The announcement comes amid intense competition in India's $5.3 billion quick commerce sector, where companies promise delivery of groceries and essentials within 10-30 minutes. Reliance's scale allows aggressive expansion through its 18,000+ stores nationwide, while Blinkit dominates urban centers with its dark store network optimized for hyperlocal delivery.

Industry analysts express skepticism about the sustainability of these growth numbers. "While impressive on paper, these figures don't account for heavy discounting and customer acquisition costs," noted Arvind Singhal of Technopak Advisors. "Reliance's scale gives them advantages, but turning a profit at these order volumes remains challenging without fundamental pricing model changes."

Third-party data suggests Blinkit's order consistency gives it an edge in operational efficiency. Unlike Reliance's reported peak, Blinkit's 2.4 million figure represents a quarterly average, indicating more stable demand. The divergence highlights different approaches: Blinkit focuses on metropolitan density while Reliance leverages pan-India infrastructure.

Quick commerce providers face pressure as investors scrutinize unit economics. Recent consolidation includes Zepto's acquisition by Flipkart and Swiggy's Instamart scaling back non-urban operations. Reliance's deep pockets allow continued expansion, but industry watchers question whether the 1.6 million peak reflects sustainable demand or promotional spikes.

The sector's future may hinge on expanding beyond groceries into electronics and fashion while improving delivery economics through automation. With Blinkit planning drone delivery trials and Reliance integrating JioMart Express with its telecom ecosystem, the battle for India's last-minute delivery market enters a critical phase.