Is Fast Delivery Costing India More Than Just Convenience?
In March 2025, India’s retail ecosystem was shaken by a major development. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has launched an antitrust investigation against quick-commerce giants Zomato, Swiggy, and Zepto . The case alleges that these platforms are using deep discounting and unfair pricing practices to dominate the market and sideline traditional retail. This comes after growing concerns that fast delivery isn’t just disrupting how we shop—it’s threatening the survival of thousands of local stores across the country. Source: Fast-delivery companies Zomato, Swiggy, Zepto face India antitrust case over discounts Reuters – March 7, 2025 What’s the Real Cost of Convenience? Instant delivery has its benefits. But behind every 10-minute promise, there’s a complex system of aggressive pricing, centralized warehouses, and a shrinking space for small retailers to survive. Independent shopkeepers and kirana store owners—many of whom have served communities for ...