Blinkit, the quick commerce arm of Eternal Ltd (formerly Zomato Ltd), is gearing up for substantial growth in 2025. The company plans to open 500 new dark stores, adding to its current network of 1,544. After the expansion, Blinkit will operate approximately 2,000 dark stores across India. These dark stores serve as small warehouses to enable rapid delivery of essential products.
Latest Financial Performance
According to Eternal’s Q1 FY26 report, Blinkit outperformed Zomato’s traditional food delivery business for the first time:
- Gross Order Value (GOV):
- Blinkit: ₹11,821 crore
- Zomato food delivery: ₹10,769 crore
- Net Order Value (NOV):
- Blinkit: ₹9,230 crore (doubled year-on-year)
- Zomato food delivery: ₹8,967 crore (13% year-on-year growth)
Surging Revenue and Customer Base
- Blinkit’s Q1 FY26 revenue: ₹2,400 crore (higher than Zomato’s ₹2,261 crore)
- Monthly transacting customers: Grew by 123% compared to last year
This rapid growth highlights growing demand for quick delivery of groceries and essentials. Consumers are increasingly choosing Blinkit for its speed and convenience.
Expansion Costs and Profit Impact
Despite strong growth, Eternal Ltd’s total profit fell by 90% to ₹25 crore in the latest quarter. The sharp decline is attributed to heavy investment in opening new stores and expanding the delivery network. Company leadership remains confident that these investments will fuel Blinkit’s long-term growth and market leadership.
Competitive Landscape
Blinkit faces stiff competition in India’s quick commerce sector:
- Swiggy Instamart: Approximately 1,000 dark stores
- Zepto: Around 800 dark stores
- Flipkart Minutes: Currently at 400 dark stores, with plans (as per Flipkart’s CEO) to double the count to 800 by year-end
Quick Comparison Table
| Company | Current Dark Stores | Expansion Target |
|---|---|---|
| Blinkit | 1,544 | 2,000 (2025) |
| Swiggy Instamart | ~1,000 | — |
| Zepto | ~800 | — |
| Flipkart Minutes | 400 | 800 (year-end) |
Outlook for Quick Commerce
Industry experts predict continued rapid growth for quick commerce in India as consumers increasingly expect groceries and essentials delivered within 10–20 minutes. Companies like Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto are aggressively expanding to meet this demand. Blinkit’s ambitious expansion strategy for 2025 underlines its goal to cement its position as India’s leading quick commerce brand.
Zomato Profit Declined by 90%!
