We are all seeing a rapid change in our shopping experiences, from physical (in-store) shopping to online shopping that took a week to deliver, and finally, we are here! Getting anything in 10 minutes, and this is called ‘Quick Commerce’.
Earlier tier 1 and now tier 2 cities in India are all about buying products from either online shopping apps or instant delivery apps. Because of the ease of purchase process, less time consumption, and of course no need to go out and check each item individually.
Our country-India is the second-largest internet market in the world. We’ve over 950 million users and 131.16 lakh crore UPI transactions in the Financial Year 2023–2024.
Quick commerce has become popular instantly so here’s a blog now on Ecommerce vs Quick commerce.
Let’s talk about the advantages and disadvantages of both e-commerce vs QuickCommerce and explore the world of online shopping.
Ecommerce
E-commerce, or electronic commerce, means buying and selling different types of goods over the Internet. And no, the internet is not a marketplace; it’s a medium that connects the buyer with the seller and vice versa.
It indeed has revolutionized the way we shop. Today it’s possible for us to purchase goods and services from any corner of the world by clicking just a few buttons or sending some messages. Shopping online has made our lives so simple and convenient. Especially for people who didn’t have access to good products or couldn’t get the time to go out and shop.
Arguments in Favour of E-commerce
- Global Reach: The best aspect of e-commerce is that it allows businesses and sellers to reach customers globally. There are no geographical barriers when shopping online; one might have to pay a little extra when ordering from another country. (But that’s okay since customers get what they want without actually traveling)!
- Convenience: Most people started opting for e-commerce because it is favorable in terms of time management. Now you can shop from anywhere, any time, and it is convenient for anyone who has a busy schedule.
- Competitive Pricing: Earlier buyers had no idea about the actual price as they did not have available information. However, with so many e-commerce platforms emerging, data is readily available for price comparison, ensuring customers get the best deals.
- Wide Product Range: E-commerce websites offer an extensive range of products, making it easier for customers to find what they need.
Points Against E-commerce
- Delivery Time: It does take a lot of time, sometimes even weeks or months. That’s why people are choosing quick commerce over e-commerce. Especially in times of urgency.
- Lack of Instant Gratification: Humans have the tendency to own something as soon as they pay for it. In the case of e-commerce, the satisfactory feeling has to wait for a few days or weeks.
- Quality Concerns: E-commerce is all about selling goods based on their pictures (and videos sometimes), and there are always quality concerns.
Quick Commerce
Quick Commerce, popularly known as Q-Commerce or Instant Delivery (Blinkit, Zepto, Instamart) is about delivering products in just within a few minutes (in rare cases it can take even hours) but not days!
This phenomenon took over the country like anything; one day you hear about it, and the next day, it’s in your city. That’s how in-demand, quick commerce is.
Market- Quick Commerce
Region- India
Source: Statista
Arguments in Favour of Quick Commerce
- Fast Delivery: The prime aspect of Quick Commerce is rapid delivery, within minutes. Having goods the moment you want is the biggest advantage, anyone would choose quick commerce in this fast-paced world.
- Convenience: If you are in need of essentials, just open the app and order it to save your time and get delivered fast.
- Increased Customer Satisfaction: Now that customers don’t have to wait days to see their purchase, it provides instant fulfillment.
- Competitive Advantage: Businesses that are offering Quick Commerce have a competitive edge over their competitors.
Points Against Quick Commerce
- Limited Product Range: Generally, Quick Commerce doesn’t offer all kinds of goods such as furniture, cars, clothes, etc.
- Higher Costs: Rapid delivery means more payment to the business and delivery partner, making it pricey for the customer.
- Logistics Challenges: It’s difficult to manage fast delivery logistics.
Quick Commerce vs. E-commerce: Which One is Better?
In simple words, both are good and both are not; it depends on your requirements. If you are looking for global reach and product variety, e-commerce is your answer. And if instant delivery and convenience are your goals, go for Quick Commerce.
Both can be used as per the requirement at that time, so use quick commerce for necessities, and to satisfy your soul, shop with e-commerce and wait till you receive your package.
In conclusion,
E-commerce and QuickCommerce are both part of our contemporary world and cater to different types of customers with different needs. If you have planned, and want a broader product range with amazing prices, ecommerce is your answer. If you are a forgetful person, and keep forgetting to get groceries, then don’t forget to download instant delivery apps because that’s going to save you. So, it’s not e-commerce vs quick commerce; it is e-commerce and quick commerce for the win!
The online shopping landscape is evolving, and as a business or customer, you must adapt and innovate!
