Quick Commerce’s Inventory Shift Resets India’s FMCG Retail Playbook

Swiggy wants Instamart to own more of the products it sells instead of acting mainly as a marketplace.

This means Instamart would record the full price of goods sold, so its reported revenue could become much larger.

It would not necessarily mean that customers are placing more orders.

Companies that make everyday products say quick commerce is growing quickly, especially in large cities.

They also say it can be cheaper and more profitable than traditional online marketplaces.

Owning inventory gives platforms more control over what products are available and which products are promoted.

It may also help brands test and launch new products.

However, platforms can lose money when goods expire, are damaged, stolen or otherwise cannot be sold.

Investors may therefore pay more attention to inventory and store economics, not just sales growth.