The Race for Speed: How D2C Brands and Quick Commerce Are Redefining Indian Retail
The way India shops is changing — and fast. The rise of direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands, combined with the explosive growth of quick commerce, is reshaping the post-pandemic retail landscape in ways we couldn’t have imagined a few years ago.
What started as a digital revolution — where brands bypassed traditional retail to connect directly with consumers and gain access to valuable first-party data — has now evolved into a full-blown race against the clock. Today, the question isn’t just how to reach consumers directly, but how quickly.
⏱️ The Quick Commerce Boom
India’s quick commerce market, valued at over $3.5 billion, has created a new playing field where speed is everything. For D2C brands, partnering with hyperlocal delivery platforms is no longer optional — it’s essential. Customers increasingly expect products delivered within hours, sometimes even minutes, not days.
“Speed has become one of the strongest differentiators for D2C brands today. When customers receive their orders the same day, it boosts satisfaction and deepens brand loyalty,” explains Anveshika Singhal, Founder of Miheso, a clean-label food brand.
This demand for instant gratification doesn’t just improve customer experience — it reduces returns, encourages repeat purchases, and strengthens brand stickiness.
📦 Logistics: The Hidden Backbone
Behind the scenes, logistics innovation is powering this shift. With nearly 1,000 D2C brands operating in India, distribution has become just as important as branding.
Take Shipfast, a shipping aggregator launched by Abhiroop Medhekar, Co-founder and CEO of Velocity. By consolidating multiple regional logistics players into one platform, Shipfast helps D2C brands manage delivery seamlessly across cities.
“Most D2C brands operate with just one or two warehouses. We help them plan inventory distribution based on geographic demand, enabling faster last-mile delivery from the closest hub,” Medhekar explains.
Instead of struggling to coordinate with multiple logistics companies, brands can now plug into an ecosystem that offers wider coverage and better rates.
🏃 The Shift in Brand Strategy
Quick commerce isn’t just a distribution tweak — it’s redefining brand strategy.
“It’s no longer just about visibility. Speed, experience, and customer retention are all on the line,” says Madhav Kasturia, Founder and CEO of Zippee. In many urban markets, this isn’t a side experiment anymore. For D2C brands, quick commerce channels are driving real revenue.
For others, the advantage goes beyond fulfilment. Aditya Belose, Founder of WYN Wellness, highlights how data becomes a powerful edge:
“Since orders are placed directly on our website, we’re able to track customer buying patterns and gather insights like purchase frequency and browsing behaviour. These help us forecast demand and manage inventory efficiently.”
⚡ The New Consumer Economy
The future of Indian retail is clear: speed, powered by data and logistics intelligence, is becoming the new currency. As D2C brands grow and quick commerce players strengthen their networks, the winners will be those who can deliver not just great products, but great experiences — faster than ever before.
In this race for speed, the real value lies in combining customer insight with operational agility. And for India’s new-age consumer, that’s a win-win.
