Logistics and courier services provider DTDC Express anticipates that its e-commerce, division will contribute roughly 50 percent to its total revenue as the company makes substantial investments in rapid commerce, responding to consumer demand for quicker order deliveries.

The organization, which recently introduced its rapid commerce initiative Raftaar to provide deliveries in a timeframe of 4-6 hours, also intends to establish 125 dark stores within the next nine months to meet customer expectations, according to CEO Abhishek Chakraborty.

"We view rapid commerce as an optimal opportunity. Quick commerce caters to immediate deliveries, ideal for impulse purchases, urgent needs, and grocery items.

"However, there’s a broader range of products for which brands seek a faster yet sustainably cost-effective solution. DTDC aims to facilitate this access for brands without requiring significant capital expenditure, allowing them to expand their reach beyond metropolitan areas to tier 2 and tier 3 cities. This has been our objective," remarked Chakraborty.

This strategy aligns with DTDC's Vision 2030, a plan introduced by the company earlier this year that aims for significant growth. Though the traditional segment of the business remains robust and reliable in generating cash flow, "we recognize that these new opportunities align with market demands and consumer needs."

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A report released by the company in partnership with the Boston Consulting Group during DTDC's 35th anniversary celebration on August 22 indicates that India's e-commerce sector is rapidly advancing, with gross market value (GMV) exceeding $80 billion and growing approximately 20 percent annually due to increased digital usage and improving consumer wealth.

"The transition to expedited fulfillment is reshaping consumer expectations - over 60 percent of online shoppers now express a willingness to pay extra for same-day delivery. India's same-day delivery (SDD) sector is projected to expand at a 20-25 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR), reaching more than $15 billion by 2030," the report noted.

Faster commerce models (including quick and rapid delivery services) are experiencing growth of more than 45 percent each year, which is over double the anticipated rate in China, according to the report, highlighting the extensive nationwide adoption of quick commerce services that have reached over 40 cities across India and establishing the country as an emerging market for "need-it-sooner" retail.

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"In the longer term, over the next two to three years, I foresee about 20-25 percent of continued investment in this sector, not just for rapid commerce but across the entire business, which will be wisely distributed among different verticals," highlighted Chakraborty.