How Indian D2C Brands Win on Quick Commerce

In 2026, the Indian e-commerce landscape is witnessing a significant shift towards quick commerce, with brands like Blinkit and Zepto leading the charge. As a senior content strategist at Skymetric, I've worked with numerous D2C brands to optimize their performance marketing strategies for quick commerce. In this post, we'll explore the playbook for winning on quick commerce in India, with a focus on ad formats, bidding strategies, and catalog optimization.

What is Quick Commerce and Why Does it Matter?

Quick commerce refers to the rapid delivery of products to customers, often within a matter of hours. This model has gained immense popularity in India, particularly among urban consumers who value convenience and speed. For D2C brands, quick commerce presents a unique opportunity to connect with customers and build brand loyalty.

At Skymetric, we've seen firsthand the impact of quick commerce on customer behavior. Our work with Robinhood Thai, a food delivery platform, demonstrated the importance of speed and authenticity in the quick commerce space. By emphasizing the speed of delivery and authentic local flavors, we were able to drive a 3.8x increase in order volume and a 58% increase in new user acquisition.

How to Choose the Right Ad Formats for Quick Commerce

When it comes to quick commerce, the right ad formats can make all the difference. For D2C brands, it's essential to focus on ad formats that drive conversions and sales. At Skymetric, we recommend using a combination of Facebook and Google ads, with a focus on carousel ads, collection ads, and video ads.

For example, Blinkit and Zepto have seen significant success with Instagram Reels and YouTube video ads, which allow them to showcase their products in a visually appealing way. By using these ad formats, D2C brands can increase brand awareness, drive website traffic, and ultimately drive sales.

• Carousel ads for showcasing multiple products
• Collection ads for driving sales and conversions
• Video ads for telling brand stories and showcasing products

Bidding Strategies for Quick Commerce

When it comes to bidding strategies for quick commerce, it's essential to focus on driving conversions and sales. At Skymetric, we recommend using a combination of cost-per-click (CPC) and cost-per-conversion (CPA) bidding strategies.

For example, our work with Acer demonstrated the importance of CPC bidding in driving conversions. By optimizing our CPC bidding strategy, we were able to reduce Acer's CPC by 27% and increase their return on ad spend (ROAS) by 3x.

• CPC bidding for driving website traffic and conversions
• CPA bidding for driving sales and conversions
• Target ROAS bidding for optimizing ad spend

Catalog Optimization for Quick Commerce

When it comes to catalog optimization for quick commerce, it's essential to focus on showcasing products in a visually appealing way. At Skymetric, we recommend using high-quality product images, detailed product descriptions, and customer reviews to optimize product catalogs.

For example, our work with Coursera demonstrated the importance of catalog optimization in driving sales. By optimizing Coursera's product catalog, we were able to increase their month-1 sign-up multiplier by 4.1x and reduce their cost-per-lead by 35%.

• High-quality product images for showcasing products
• Detailed product descriptions for driving sales
• Customer reviews for building trust and credibility

Real-World Examples of Quick Commerce in Action

At Skymetric, we've worked with numerous D2C brands to optimize their quick commerce strategies. For example, our work with beauty and wellness brands has demonstrated the importance of showcasing products in a visually appealing way, while our work with food delivery platforms has highlighted the need for speed and authenticity.

By focusing on the right ad formats, bidding strategies, and catalog optimization, D2C brands can drive significant sales and revenue growth through quick commerce. Whether you're a beauty brand, a food delivery platform, or a wellness company, quick commerce presents a unique opportunity to connect with customers and build brand loyalty.

Conclusion

In conclusion, quick commerce is a rapidly growing space in India, with D2C brands like Blinkit and Zepto leading the charge. By focusing on the right ad formats, bidding strategies, and catalog optimization, D2C brands can drive significant sales and revenue growth through quick commerce.

At Skymetric, we've seen firsthand the impact of quick commerce on customer behavior and sales. Our expertise in performance marketing and catalog optimization can help your brand succeed in the quick commerce space. Book a strategy call with us today at skymetric.in to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Quick commerce refers to the rapid delivery of products to customers, often within a matter of hours. It works by using a combination of logistics and technology to deliver products quickly and efficiently.
• The benefits of quick commerce for D2C brands include increased sales and revenue growth, improved customer satisfaction, and enhanced brand loyalty.
• D2C brands can optimize their quick commerce strategies by focusing on the right ad formats, bidding strategies, and catalog optimization. They can also use data and analytics to track their performance and make data-driven decisions.
• Skymetric is a performance marketing agency that helps D2C brands optimize their quick commerce strategies. We provide expertise in ad formats, bidding strategies, and catalog optimization, and help brands drive significant sales and revenue growth through quick commerce.