Quick commerce platform Zepto has eliminated handling fees and surge charges across all orders irrespective of order value, while also waiving delivery charges on orders above Rs 99. The move positions Zepto as the most competitively priced player in India’s increasingly crowded 10-minute delivery market, as it battles rivals Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart for dominance in the fast-growing segment.
Under Zepto’s new “All New Zepto Experience” initiative, customers pay zero handling fees, zero rain and surge fees on every order, and zero delivery charges once their cart crosses Rs 99. For orders below Rs 99, the company will continue to charge Rs 30 as delivery fee. However, there will be no additional small cart fee even on such orders. Notably, Zepto’s Rs 99 threshold for free delivery is the lowest among competitors. The company has also eliminated the convenience fee charged on cigarette and tobacco orders.
A comparison of fee structures across Zomato’s Blinkit and Swiggy’s Instamart reveals Zepto’s aggressive pricing strategy. For orders below Rs 99, Zepto charges only Rs 30 as delivery fee, with all handling charges waived. In contrast, Blinkit imposes Rs 54 in total fees, comprising Rs 30 delivery, Rs 4 handling, and Rs 20 small cart charge. Instamart levies approximately Rs 65 in fees, including Rs 30 delivery, Rs 9.80 handling, Rs 15 small cart fee, and 18% GST on such charges.
An analysis comparing identical purchases across Zepto, Blinkit, and Instamart highlights stark pricing differences.
For an Rs 84 item on Zepto, customers pay Rs 115.50, including Rs 30 delivery and Rs 1.5 GST on fees, with handling charges waived. In contrast, Blinkit charges Rs 143 for the same item priced at Rs 89—adding Rs 30 delivery, Rs 4 handling, and Rs 20 small cart fees. Instamart is even more expensive at Rs 154 for the Rs 89 item, levying Rs 30 delivery, Rs 9.80 handling, Rs 15 small cart fee, and Rs 9.86 as GST and charges.
For orders above Rs 99, the contrast becomes even sharper. Zepto waives all fees entirely, meaning customers pay only for the products. Blinkit continues charging a minimum of Rs 34 in fees—Rs 30 delivery plus Rs 4 handling—until orders cross the Rs 199 threshold, where delivery is waived. Instamart charges Rs 30 as delivery fee until the order value crosses Rs 199, after which Rs 16 is charged as delivery. However, this Rs 16 fee is waived for Swiggy One subscribers.
Industry observers suggest that Zepto’s fee elimination strategy is aimed at rapidly expanding its market share amid intensifying competition. However, they also caution that the sustainability of zero-fee models in quick commerce remains uncertain, given ongoing challenges around unit economics and profitability. For now, consumers are the clear beneficiaries of this escalating pricing war.
Zepto did not immediately respond to a request for comments.