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How dark stores are lighting up the online beauty business

Livemint

Livemint · 1y ago

How dark stores are lighting up the online beauty business

E-commerce companies Nykaa and Purplle are considering implementing dark stores, or micro-warehouses, to improve their delivery speeds and compete with quick commerce platforms. These dark stores would be located in major cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru and would aim to provide faster deliveries within a few hours. Both companies are exploring options such as operating their own facilities or utilizing existing spaces with logistics providers. The move to dark stores would help Nykaa and Purplle retain customers and enhance their own brands. However, the high costs and logistical challenges associated with dark stores may require careful execution.

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Shoppers Stop looks to double its beauty business as global brands come knocking

Livemint

Livemint · 1y ago

Shoppers Stop looks to double its beauty business as global brands come knocking

Indian department store operator Shoppers Stop plans to double its beauty business in the next few years by partnering with more global brands and expanding its standalone beauty stores. The company reported revenues of INR 5,228 crore ($713 million) in the last fiscal year, with the beauty business accounting for INR 887 crore ($121 million), up 10% YoY. Shoppers Stop manages specialty beauty stores for brands like M.A.C., Estée Lauder, and Bobbi Brown in India and also operates the multi-brand online beauty store SS Beauty. The company aims to increase the beauty business contribution to its overall revenue from the current 17-18% to 25% in the next two to three years.

Ola plans to open dark stores to enter quick commerce sector: ET

Hindustan Times

Hindustan Times · 1y ago

Ola plans to open dark stores to enter quick commerce sector: ET

Ola Cabs parent ANI Technologies plans to set up dark stores to enter the growing quick commerce segment, The Economic Times reported. The EV company will reportedly offer dark stores as a service "where the whole setup will be delivered with significant automation". Dark stores are small neighbourhood warehouses which stock products delivered by quick commerce services.

Myntra brings quick delivery to online fashion, launches 30-minute service

Economic Times

Economic Times · 8m ago

Myntra brings quick delivery to online fashion, launches 30-minute service

Myntra, India's leading online fashion retailer, has launched a 30-minute delivery service called M-Now in Bengaluru. The company plans to expand this service to other cities in the near future. M-Now will deliver fashion, beauty products, and accessories using dark stores and retail stores. Myntra aims to increase the number of SKU offerings for quick delivery to over 100,000 within a few months. The move comes as Myntra aims to tap into the growing demand for quick commerce in the fashion industry. Other players in the market, such as Instamart and Blinkit, are also in talks with apparel and footwear manufacturers for quick delivery services.

L’Oréal plans growth blitz to double India biz in 3-5 years

Livemint

Livemint · 1y ago

L’Oréal plans growth blitz to double India biz in 3-5 years

L'Oréal India is setting its sights on becoming the country's number-one beauty brand. Currently second only to Hindustan Unilever, L'Oréal is hoping to double its business in the next three to five years. The company plans to focus on skincare, expand its presence in retail stores, e-commerce, and pharmacies, and tap into the growing market for dermatological products. India's beauty and personal care market is projected to reach $30 billion by 2027, with online sales making up around 33% of the market.

Demand for dark stores touched about 24 million sq ft in 2023. Here's a deep dive into the concept

Money Control

Money Control · 10m ago

Demand for dark stores touched about 24 million sq ft in 2023. Here's a deep dive into the concept

The demand for dark stores is increasing in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities in India, driven by the growth of quick commerce. A joint research by JLL and Miebach Consulting estimates a requirement of about 24 million sq ft of space by 2023, growing at a steady rate of 12% CAGR to 37.6 million sq ft by 2027. Dark stores are small warehousing urban distribution centers exclusively for online shopping, stocking a limited inventory of products with a short shelf life. Challenges for expanding dark stores include compliance with local laws and finding affordable yet strategically located premises.

Government to quick commerce players: throw more light on dark store ownership structures

Economic Times

Economic Times · 10m ago

Government to quick commerce players: throw more light on dark store ownership structures

Government officials in India have been conducting inquiries with senior e-commerce executives to understand the ownership structures of quick-commerce firms and their dark stores. Foreign-funded online marketplaces are not allowed to own inventory or control sellers, so dark stores are owned by separate entities. The government is seeking clarity on compliance and the impact of quick-commerce on traditional retailers. However, executives and investors in the sector do not expect major disruptions. There is discussion of adding a policy framework for quick-commerce within the broader e-commerce policy.

How dark stores are powering quick commerce's rise

Economic Times

Economic Times · 1y ago

How dark stores are powering quick commerce's rise

Dark stores, also known as micro warehouses, are the center of a new form of commerce called quick commerce. These stores, operated by companies like Zomato's Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart, store a limited number of high-demand products and aim to pack, dispatch, and deliver orders in minutes. Riders on e-bikes swarm the store, delivering orders with great speed. Dark stores are strategically designed to optimize packing time, with frequently ordered items stored up front. However, the gig workers employed by these companies have often complained about poor work conditions and low pay.

Fast, but furious: Quick commerce concerns burn billions from Zomato, Swiggy market caps

YourStory

YourStory · 5m ago

Fast, but furious: Quick commerce concerns burn billions from Zomato, Swiggy market caps

Zomato and Swiggy, major players in food delivery, are aggressively investing in quick-commerce to fend off competitors like Zepto, Flipkart, and Amazon. Despite rapid expansion, including opening new dark stores and ramping up discounts, both companies are experiencing stock declines, raising investor concerns. Swiggy's shares have dropped 37% since early 2025, while Zomato's fell 22%. Slow growth in their core business segments is adding to these financial challenges as they navigate the competitive quick-commerce landscape.

From cabbage to caps: Inside Blinkit’s game plan to deliver anything

Livemint

Livemint · 1y ago

From cabbage to caps: Inside Blinkit’s game plan to deliver anything

Blinkit, formerly known as Grofers, has transformed from an online grocery company to a distribution platform for any product. It delivers a wide range of items, from groceries to electronics and beauty products. The company's strategy of offering a wider assortment of products aims to increase average order value and improve profitability. Blinkit, now a wholly owned subsidiary of Zomato, operates numerous dark stores and collection centers to facilitate quick deliveries. The company's pivot to quick commerce aligns with the growing trend of fast delivery services in India.

Right now is not the time to slow down: Zepto co-founder, CEO Aadit Palicha

Livemint

Livemint · 8m ago

Right now is not the time to slow down: Zepto co-founder, CEO Aadit Palicha

Zepto, an Indian quick commerce startup, is on the path to achieving annualized sales of $3 billion. The company's dark stores, which offer fast deliveries, are becoming profitable faster as it expands into new categories with higher average order values. Zepto recently raised $350 million in funding, the largest domestic fundraising round in India's startup ecosystem. The company aims to continue aggressive expansion and plans to launch around 100 dark stores every quarter. Zepto is also exploring new categories such as pharmacy and expanding its Zepto Cafe business.

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