Pilot Begins in Bengaluru, More Cities Soon

BigBasket, India’s leading online grocer under the Tata Group, will roll out its 10-minute food delivery service across the country by the end of FY 2026. Co-founder Vipul Parekh confirmed that strong Tata backing and internal funds will power this expansion. BigBasket also plans to go public within the next 18–24 months. The company launched a pilot in Bengaluru last month and plans to expand it to 40 dark stores by July 2025. BigBasket currently operates 700 dark stores and will scale up to 1,000–1,200 by the end of 2025. These micro-warehouses are vital to maintaining quick, safe, and fresh deliveries.

Competing in the Quick-Commerce Race

BigBasket’s move puts it in direct competition with players like Swiggy’s Instamart and Bolt, Zomato’s Blinkit Bistro, Zepto Cafe, and Magicpin’s MagicNow — all fighting for a slice of India’s $7.1 billion quick-commerce market. While Zepto Cafe delivers coffee and ready-to-eat items, Blinkit Bistro and Swiggy’s Bolt promise ultra-fast meals. Zomato has relaunched its 10-minute service after addressing earlier challenges in food handling and delivery speed.

Focus on Safe, High-Quality Meals

BigBasket wants to attract customers who value speed and food safety. Around 5–10% of its current customers already combine groceries with ready-to-eat food, and BigBasket expects this to grow. The new menu will include trusted Tata brands like Starbucks and Qmin, ensuring quality and hygiene. By using its dark stores for rapid processing and safe storage, BigBasket aims to deliver fresh, well-handled meals within 10 minutes, without compromising on food safety.

Laying Groundwork for Long-Term Leadership

Backed by the Tata Group and an expanding network of controlled storage hubs, BigBasket plans to lead India’s quick-commerce segment responsibly. Its new strategy aligns with rising consumer demand for fast, safe, and reliable meal options, while paving the way for its IPO and future growth.

Source: Food Tech News