Our Bureau
New Delhi
Quick commerce platform Blinkit expects to expand its store network to more than 3,500 outlets by March 2027 and around 5,000 by March 2028, as its parent company Eternal steps up expansion in smaller cities and newer product categories.
The revised target comes after Blinkit added 308 net new stores during the September quarter, taking its total network to 2,751 as of September 2026. Eternal said the company’s expansion plans remain on track, with newer markets and categories showing encouraging profitability and investment recovery trends.
Eternal expressed confidence in the potential of smaller cities, arguing that demand for quick commerce in these markets remains underserved. Lower incomes do not necessarily translate into significantly weaker demand, while concerns about smaller order sizes and insufficient customer density are not fully supported by the company’s data.
Blinkit’s strategy centres on offering a wider selection of products, including items that may not be readily available in local markets, with deliveries completed within minutes. The company believes this approach can create new consumption patterns rather than simply compete for existing customers.
However, expanding into smaller cities presents supply-chain challenges. Blinkit has been building distribution capabilities to move products from brand warehouses to regional facilities before supplying individual stores. Dhindsa said the company would remain selective about markets where demand and operational economics may not support sustainable growth.
The expansion comes amid intensifying competition in India’s quick commerce sector, where companies are investing in local fulfilment networks to improve delivery speed and availability. Blinkit’s net order value rose 79.3% year-on-year to Rs 20,940 crore in the second quarter of FY27.
The company’s ability to sustain profitability while entering new markets will be crucial as it pursues its ambitious expansion targets.