Blinkit has emerged as India’s leading quick-commerce platform for product availability, maintaining an average in-stock rate of 94.4%, according to a study by brokerage firm Bernstein. Flipkart Minutes secured second place, followed by Swiggy Instamart and Zepto, highlighting how inventory management is becoming an increasingly important factor in the race to deliver groceries and everyday essentials quickly.
The findings suggest that competition in India’s quick-commerce industry is extending beyond delivery speed and discounts to whether customers can actually find the products they want.
Blinkit Maintains the Highest Product Availability
The study compared product availability across four major platforms, examining 150 stock-keeping units across grocery, fresh produce and non-grocery categories.
The average availability figures were:
- Blinkit: 94.4%
- Flipkart Minutes: 88.7%
- Swiggy Instamart: 83.8%
- Zepto: 82.5%
Blinkit maintained availability of approximately 94% to 95% throughout the observation period. Its performance placed it 5.7 percentage points ahead of Flipkart Minutes, while the gap with Zepto stood at 11.9 percentage points.
The study covered a 10-day period, tracking availability across seven time slots daily and at least three PIN codes each in Mumbai, Gurugram and Bengaluru. The findings therefore reflect the locations and products included in the study, rather than every serviceable area across India.
Instamart and Zepto Face Greater Stock Fluctuations
The study found that Swiggy Instamart and Zepto experienced more pronounced fluctuations in product availability, with their in-stock rates falling below 80% during certain intervals.
Instamart recorded the steepest decline as the day progressed, with availability dropping by 11%. Zepto saw a 6% decline, while Blinkit and Flipkart Minutes recorded declines of 5% each.
Bernstein attributed Instamart’s sharper drop to potential challenges involving demand forecasting and inventory replenishment.
These fluctuations matter because customers often expect quick-commerce platforms to fulfil an entire shopping basket in a single order. Missing products can force users to substitute items, switch platforms or abandon purchases.
Why Product Availability Matters in Quick Commerce
Quick-commerce companies traditionally compete on delivery times, discounts and product variety. However, consistently keeping products in stock is becoming another major competitive advantage.
Maintaining high availability requires accurate demand forecasting, efficient dark-store operations, reliable procurement and timely inventory replenishment. Platforms must also anticipate demand changes across different times of day and neighbourhoods.
Higher availability could help Blinkit improve customer retention and reduce the likelihood of shoppers moving to competing apps.
Competition Moves Beyond Delivery Speed
The findings arrive as Blinkit, Flipkart Minutes, Swiggy Instamart and Zepto continue expanding their operations across Indian cities.
As platforms compete for repeat purchases, operational consistency could become just as important as promising deliveries within minutes. A service that delivers quickly but frequently lacks essential items may struggle to retain customers.
Blinkit’s lead in Bernstein’s study suggests that inventory execution could play a significant role in determining which companies gain an advantage as the sector matures.
Summary
Blinkit recorded the highest average product availability among major Indian quick-commerce platforms at 94.4%, followed by Flipkart Minutes at 88.7%, Swiggy Instamart at 83.8% and Zepto at 82.5%. Bernstein’s study highlights the growing importance of inventory management, demand forecasting and replenishment as quick-commerce companies compete to improve customer experience and retention.
