The eCommerce Industry made a remarkable surge in the ongoing Covid era and has become a new normal for many consumers in the world. Online retailers are now involved in adopting powerful AI and Machine Learning algorithms to grow customer engagement and meet their specific demands which mostly include quick delivery of items and services. Here enters the role of Q-Commerce or Quick-Commerce which inclines on the goal of quickest delivery to its customers as compared to delivery of eCommerce business. It is introduced to ramp up the delivery of eCommerce business and compensate for the immediate customer requirements. The market revenue or Q-Commerce growth estimate is from $25 billion in 2020 to $75 billion in the next five years. Many big brands like Blink It, Gorillas, Buyk, Gopuff, Frazo, etc. are now known as smart Q-Commerce retailers.
The Secret behind Q-Commerce
Q-Commerce, unlike the traditional e-Commerce business model, offers goods and services delivery within minutes or hours. And the secret behind this quick delivery of items is in the presence of micro Q-Commerce stores or small warehouses nearby the delivery place or area. The setup of these micro-stores is based on the quantity of Q-Commerce retailer’s apps or its users in a particular area who are placing orders frequently. Q-Commerce start-ups also partner with nearby grocers or retailers to store and offer the delivery of the ordered items from their place. So, all arrangements are planned and stores are set up in advance to provide
Delivery Model of Q-Commerce
Just like multiple eCommerce delivery models, the Q-Commerce delivery model is divided into two categories:
- Q-Commerce Apps
- Q-Commerce Online Platforms
Q-Commerce Apps
It follows the Contractors or Company employees model where the apps retailers own goods inventory like micro warehouse or fulfillment center from where mostly a two-wheeler delivery feet is responsible to deliver the goods on or before the time. An example includes Buyk, Gorillas, Gopuff, etc.
Q-Commerce Online Platforms
This is the second delivery model for Q-Commerce companies where they operate from online platforms like Drizly, Uber Eats, Instacart, etc. and move goods from the existing stores to the customer. In this model, a four-wheeler delivery feet is supported mostly.
Both Q-Commerce models are intended for quick online delivery to the customers. And customers have their own choice to order from a Q-Commerce app or online platform as per their convenience.
As acknowledged by the demands of the consumers, Q-Commerce models are the best fit for the densely populated urban population currently.
How Q-Commerce does Help the Future of eCommerce?
The Q-Commerce operating model is definitely a future business technology for the eCommerce development company.
More urban consumers are getting engaged now. But, due to increasing demands, shift to favorite brands, risk of low conversion rates, and increasing market competition, Q-Commerce companies need to focus on certain growth points to accelerate the traditional e-Commerce business worldwide.
Inventory Management
Q-Commerce inventory should always be available at micro-stores or fulfillment centers and likewise optimized beforehand to avoid the risk of shortage or wrong impression on customers for late or no delivery at all. The advance planning of demand and supply along with the swift maintenance of safety stocks cater to demand predictions including market risks should be organized. This task is most crucial to retain the customers and grow more with full trust build-up.
Automation of Supply Chain
With the focus on smart and quick delivery, Q-Commerce retailers should follow automation in all stages of supply chain management. This will keep up the demands in control along with accuracy and efficiency improvement in Supply Chain constraints such as storage space, unloading capacity, minimum order quantities, packaging configurations, and more.
Rider Scheduling & Route Optimization
To cater to the need of riders in busy market businesses, using a supply chain planning platform to plan rider scheduling would be beneficial. The daily rider scheduling can be properly managed through the offered order forecasting data.
Also, Q-Commerce retailers can invest in planning software with a flexible and agile model which is capable to make quick alterations and generate new route optimizations as per the demand and supply constraints in the market.
Benefits of Implementing Q-Commerce
The Q-Commerce implementation offers multiple benefits to online or an eCommerce retailer as it has a lot to provide to the customer engagement and business growth. Some of the remarkable advantages associated with investing in the Q-Commerce delivery model are mentioned below:
Fastest Delivery Time:
QCommerce offers lightning speed delivery from 15 minutes to an hour which fulfills the customer requirements at the time easily.
Enhances Customer Loyalty: With the trust build-up through assured and timely delivery, customer engagement and conversion rates rise up fast in this delivery model.
Maximum Time Operability:
The Quick Commerce operating model offers almost 24*7 deliveries and completes urgent customer requirements at odd times as well.
Customer Satisfaction:
Customers placing an order received orders within time and save time for other activities as they don’t have to wait for the delivery all day long enhances a sense of satisfaction for them.
Launch New Products:
This product delivery model offers a chance of launching new products to inquisitive customers and then make it a brand quickly.
Emergency Delivery:
The customers who require essential products like medicines delivery at odd times avail the benefits of Q-Commerce technology and retailing.
Market Fulfillment Store:
It offers an opportunity to partner with existing stores to complete orders from online platforms and establish another business concurrently.
Contrast b/w Retail Models
Different types of retailers adopt different retail business technology and retail models to operate their businesses. Let us have a quick comparison between three retail models known as Q-Commerce Model, Brick Model, and eCommerce business models based on certain comparison factors:
| Factor of Comparison | Q-Commerce Model | eCommerce Model | Brick Model |
| Delivery Time | Less than in an hour | In 2-5 days | Self-dependency |
| Delivery Mode | Two-wheelers | Delivery transports like trucks, cars, etc. | Personal vehicle |
| Inventory Storage | Local stores & Micro Fulfillment Centers | Big warehouses | Superstores |
| Products Selection | Small (highly rotational) | Main products availability | Broad products selection |
| Prime Consideration | Delivery speed | Discounts & Offers | Discounts & Offers |
| Households Requirement | 1 person household | 3-4 persons households | 3-4 persons households |
Start your eCommerce Journey with CG-VAK
Besides multiple benefits from Q-Commerce technology, there are interlinked challenges like small order handling, customers cost acquisitions, inventory optimization, customer scaling, etc. which can be overcome or tackled with proper planning and automation of inventory, resources, and delivery model and supply chain.
Join the expertise at CG-VAK, to complete your dream of a successful eCommerce business setup and move to Q-Commerce technology in retail business quickly. Contact us with more queries related to eCommerce platforms and eCommerce software development services.