Q-comm expansion drives up dark store rents in top city markets

As quick commerce companies push ahead with ambitious expansion plans, demand for dark store locations in major cities is intensifying, thus pushing rental costs sharply higher – by around 35% – in some areas.

Companies opening dark stores

Companies such as Blinkit, Zepto, Flipkart’s Minutes, and Swiggy Instamart are opening hundreds of new dark stores across the country this year. But the bulk of their expansion is concentrated in a handful of high-demand urban markets, where customer adoption of rapid grocery delivery has been strongest.