Archive · 31 Jan 2026
The Hidden Costs of Quick Commerce
Using quick commerce apps like Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart for deliveries might seem convenient, but it comes with hidden costs.
Every time you order, you pay extra fees for delivery, handling, and small carts.
These fees add up to a lot of money over time.
Plus, the apps make it easy to buy things you don't really need, which adds even more to your spending.
If you had saved that extra money instead, it could have grown into a big amount over 30 years.
To avoid this, you can use these apps only for essential items, buy in bulk for non-perishables, and wait 48 hours before buying non-essential items to avoid impulse buys.
Quick commerce platforms charge hidden fees like delivery, handling, and small cart fees, adding up to Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,800 per month for frequent users.
Buying small packs instead of bulk items results in a 15% to 22% price markup, increasing monthly grocery bills by Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000.
Impulse buying triggered by app suggestions adds Rs 150 to Rs 200 to every third order, totaling Rs 1,500 per month in unnecessary spending.
The cumulative cost of these fees and impulse buys over 30 years could amount to Rs 1.83 crore in lost potential wealth if invested in an equity mutual fund.
To mitigate these costs, consumers should use quick commerce only for essential items, buy non-perishables in bulk, and implement a 48-hour waiting period for non-essential purchases.
- Who
- Urban consumers in India using quick commerce platforms like Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart
- What
- The financial impact of convenience fees and impulse buying on long-term wealth
- When
- Ongoing, with a 30-year perspective on financial impact
- Where
- Metro cities in India, such as Mumbai and Bengaluru
- Why
- To highlight the hidden costs of quick commerce and its effect on potential retirement savings
- Delivery Fee
- Rs 15 to Rs 40
- Convenience/Handling Fee
- Rs 5 to Rs 12
- Surge/Rain Fee
- Rs 20 to Rs 50
- Small Cart Fee
- Rs 15 to Rs 30
- Average Monthly Logistics Cost
- Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,800
- Annual Logistics Cost
- Rs 14,400
- Potential Wealth Loss Over 30 Years
- Rs 1.83 crore
- Average Impulse Spending per Month
- Rs 1,500