US Quick E-Commerce (Quick Commerce) Market Analysis

The US Quick E-Commerce (Quick Commerce) market size was valued at US$ 7.5 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 12.7 billion by 2030, grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8% from 2023 to 2030. Quick Commerce refers to the ultrafast delivery of goods, particularly groceries and other daily essentials, within a short time frame. Quick Commerce enables customers to receive items in as fast as 10-15 minutes through a network of micro-fulfillment centers located close to residential areas. The growth of Quick Commerce is driven by busy lifestyles, need for instant delivery, high smartphone penetration, and high urban density.

The US Quick E-Commerce (Quick Commerce) Market is segmented by business model, product type, order size, delivery time, and location. By business model, the market is segmented into dark stores, hybrid stores, partner stores, micro fulfillment centers, local retail stores, warehouses, and others. Dark stores are expected to dominate the market over the forecast period. Dark stores are small warehouses optimized for online order fulfillment and located in prime areas near customers. The low overhead cost and proximity to customers make dark stores an efficient model for Quick Commerce.

US Quick E-Commerce (Quick Commerce) Market Drivers:

• Busy Modern Lifestyles and Need for Convenience: The busy, on-the-go lifestyles of today's consumers are a major driver of the Quick Commerce market. Long working hours, hectic schedules, and time-crunched urban dwellers have led to demand for services that offer speed and convenience. Quick Commerce taps into this by providing near-instant delivery of everyday items, saving customers' time. Working parents, millennials, and other time-pressed consumers are willing to pay premium prices for the convenience of getting groceries, meals, and other necessities delivered rapidly. Quick Commerce brings convenience to the doorstep, catering perfectly to busy lifestyles. According to a survey by the United States Department of Labor in 2021, American workers spent an average of 1.3 hours per day on essential shopping and errands. However, many cited lack of time as a major barrier that prevented them from completing these tasks efficiently. Quick e-commerce helps address this issue by making routine chores significantly more convenient. This resonates strongly with current lifestyles and impacts growth positively.
• High Smartphone and Internet Penetration: Widespread smartphone and internet access has been pivotal to the rise of Quick Commerce. Apps enable easy ordering and tracking, while extensive smartphone penetration allows on-demand services to reach a wide audience. High-speed mobile internet has also enabled complex Quick Commerce logistics operations. Further, digital fluency of younger demographics has pushed adoption. With smartphones ubiquitous, Quick Commerce companies can conveniently connect with and serve consumers. According to data from the US Census Bureau, over 89% of Americans now own a smartphone. Additionally, the Pew Research Center found that around 85% of adults use the internet.

US Quick E-Commerce (Quick Commerce) Market Opportunities:

• Expansion into New Geographies: Quick Commerce currently focuses on major metro cities but has ample room to expand into suburban neighborhoods and smaller cities. Building out networks in these untapped geographies can unlock new demand and growth. Many consumers outside urban cores also face constraints on time, mobility or access. Quick Commerce can fill gaps in convenience and coverage. Partnerships with local stores and networks of flexible drivers enable geographic expansion. For instance, DoorDash is now spreading into small towns, while GoPuff targets college campuses. Tapping underserved territories can aid growth for Quick Commerce firms. According to data from the US Census Bureau, secondary city regions surrounding major metro areas accounted for 65% of national population growth from 2010-2020.
• New Product Categories: Most Quick Commerce firms started with a limited range of products such as snacks, drinks and essentials. Expanding into new categories like pharmacy, electronics, luxury goods or alcohol can provide growth channels. Customers appreciate the convenience of on-demand delivery across a wider range of products. Quick Commerce companies are building assortments with items beyond basics that can drive higher order values. Some firms also leverage partnerships; for example, Uber Eats enables Quick Commerce for flower delivery through partnerships with florists. Wider assortments ensure customers can fulfill more needs rapidly.

US Quick E-Commerce (Quick Commerce) Market Restraints:

• Intense Competition and Discount Wars: The quick delivery space has witnessed heightened competition with aggressive discounting and promotional offers. Multiple well-funded startups have jumped in, while food and grocery delivery majors are expanding into the segment. The competition has led to discount wars to grab market share. However, excessive discounts and promotions can erode profitability. Many players have sought rapid growth over sustainable unit economics. Retaining customers also becomes harder relying on discounts versus great service. The intense competition has also led to escalating customer acquisition costs for Quick Commerce firms.
• High Operational Costs and Complex Logistics: The logistics networks and warehousing facilities required to enable Quick Commerce involve steep operational expenditures. Real estate and labor costs can be challenging to balance. High delivery frequency leads to disproportionate workforce and infrastructure costs. Complex routing, inventory and warehouse management also add overheads. Lack of economies of scale in hyper-local logistics also creates constraints. Many startups have struggled with high operational costs. Also, loss rates of perishable items and returned goods further undermine profits. Managing the complex logistics at scale remains an operational challenge.
• Counterbalance: Consider outsourcing certain operations or tasks to specialized third-party providers. This can often reduce costs and simplify logistics by leveraging expertise and resources from external sources. Work on optimizing the supply chain by reducing redundancies, renegotiating contracts, consolidating suppliers, or exploring alternative sourcing options. This can help in simplifying logistics and potentially cutting costs.