Amazon Now clocks 500,000 daily quick commerce orders from 500 dark stores, two years after launching. This aggressive expansion includes opening small, high-density dark stores where competitors like Blinkit failed to find space. For existing players like Blinkit and Zepto, Amazon's deep pockets and Prime membership base now loom large.
How We Got Here
Amazon piloted its quick-commerce service, Amazon Now, in September 2025, significantly behind market leaders Blinkit and Zepto. This late entry comes as competitors like Blinkit already service around 3 million daily orders from 2,200 micro-warehouses.
The Numbers
- Amazon Now's orders are growing 25% month-on-month, as per CEO Andy Jassy.
- An Amazon Now dark store, 2,000-3,000 sq ft, operates in South Mumbai's Colaba market, a spot Blinkit found unfeasible.
- The Colaba store manages with only 7-8 parking spaces, unlike Blinkit's requirement for 50-60 bikes.
- Amazon plans to invest ₹2,800 crore to expand its dark store network and operations.
What Happens Next
🇮🇳 Why This Matters for India
For urban professionals in tier-1 cities like Bangalore and Mumbai, Amazon's aggressive push means more competitive delivery speeds and wider product selection across quick commerce apps.
The Take
Amazon views Now as a critical Prime retention and acquisition engine. Expect deep discounts on Prime memberships tied to Now usage within Q4 2024, aiming to convert Zepto's loyal base.
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The Ken ↗