MUMBAI: Zepto is betting that Indians want their paracetamol as fast as their groceries. On 7 August Aadit Palicha, chief executive of the quick-commerce firm, announced the launch of Zepto Pharmacy on LinkedIn. The service promises to deliver common medicines—from headache tablets like Saridon to antibiotics—within 10 minutes.
But the rollout is cautious. The pharmacy service is live only in select areas of Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi NCR and Hyderabad. Palicha said his team has spent 12 months perfecting “the customer experience, supply chain, and compliance at a small scale” before this limited launch.
“Our objective is to keep operational standards extremely high and not scale too rapidly given the complexity of this category,” he explained. The measured approach reflects the regulatory hurdles and safety concerns inherent in medicine delivery—a stark contrast to Zepto’s typically aggressive expansion in groceries.
If executed well, Palicha believes the service could “seriously improve the lives of millions of customers across the country and help make important medicines easier to access when we need them the most.”
The move marks Zepto’s latest attempt to diversify beyond groceries, where it competes fiercely with rivals like Blinkit and Instamart. Whether Indians will embrace ten-minute medicine delivery with the same enthusiasm they have shown for rapid grocery runs remains to be seen.
MUMBAI: From mandi mayhem to farm-fresh flair, Zepto’s shaking up the supply chain. Zepto co-founder and CEO Aadit Palicha has revealed how the quick commerce player is rewriting the rules of India’s fragmented fresh produce market, one collection centre at a time. In a detailed post, he shared how the startup has quietly scaled its fresh category by 4x in just 12 months, leaping from 6.4 lakh to 22.1 lakh units sold per day.
What’s behind this massive growth spurt? A shift away from the traditional mandi-led chaos to a tech-powered, decentralised model built on trust with farmers and rapid movement of goods. Zepto now sources directly from thousands of farmers across 70-plus Collection Centres hyperlocal hubs where fruits and vegetables are graded, packed, and dispatched within 12 hours of harvest.
A key weapon in Zepto’s fresh arsenal is the Bloom app, the startup’s proprietary sourcing platform that turns real-time mandi price tracking, vendor scoring, and dynamic procurement into a science. The result? Better price visibility for farmers, automated planning for Zepto, and a win-win loop that cuts out intermediaries and reduces waste.
This model isn’t just about speed, it’s also about dignity and predictability. “For the first time, Indian farmers are becoming part of a demand-driven, digital-first ecosystem,” Palicha noted. Through Bloom, they gain access to live market benchmarks, input support, and assured offtake features unheard of in India’s informal agri-supply chains.
Even last-mile delivery hasn’t been spared a makeover. Zepto has invested in smart handling systems that preserve freshness while slashing delivery timelines. Combined with direct relationships with farmers, this allows the company to keep quality high and prices sharp, something traditional retail has long struggled with.
In a sector long marred by price volatility and perishability, Zepto’s fresh strategy is a rare blend of logistics, localisation, and digital insight. The real disruptor here isn’t just tech, it’s trust.
MUMBAI: The delivery race isn’t just about speed anymore; it’s about strategy. India’s breakout quick commerce unicorn, Zepto has appointed Rachit Ranjan as its chief public policy officer, effective May 2025. The move signals the startup’s intent to double down on responsible innovation as it scales across India’s hyper-competitive e-commerce landscape.
Ranjan will lead Zepto’s policy, regulatory and government affairs, helping shape frameworks that align the company’s rapid expansion with national priorities like digital inclusion, job creation, and ethical growth. He brings with him more than 15 years of policy and regulatory experience, with a CV that spans Dream11, Whatsapp, Juul Labs and Uber.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Rachit to Zepto. As we scale rapidly across India, having a sharp, mission-driven leader in public policy is more important than ever. Rachit brings a deep understanding of the policy landscape and a proven ability to build trust with diverse stakeholders—qualities that are crucial to navigating a fast-evolving regulatory environment and building long-term value”, said Zepto co-founder & CEO Aadit Palicha.
An alumnus of the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and NUJS Kolkata, Ranjan has operated at the intersection of governance and tech for over a decade. On his appointment, he noted, “Zepto’s incredible growth story has captured the imagination of the entire country. I’m thrilled to join Zepto at such a transformative time for both the company and the quick commerce space. I look forward to working with the amazing team at Zepto to deliver innovation that is responsible and aligned with the broader vision of inclusive growth. In doing so, I also look forward to working in partnership with the Government and stakeholders to ensure Zepto plays a crucial role in realising India’s techade”.
His appointment reaffirms Zepto’s commitment to shaping a transparent, sustainable and compliant growth path in a sector where policy uncertainty and scale are often at odds. With Ranjan at the helm of public policy, Zepto appears ready to zip past that contradiction.
MUMBAI: Last night, at precisely 9 pm, Zepto turned social media upside down with a cheeky new TVC that had people convinced they’d cracked the code to 10-minute car deliveries. Yes, you read that right.
Imagine scrolling through the Zepto app, adding a Škoda Kylaq to your cart, and having it delivered before you can even pick a playlist for your first drive. Too good to be true? Well, it is.
The ad, directed with a mischievous twinkle, never outright says that Zepto will deliver cars. But the visual storytelling cleverly nudged viewers into believing the impossible. The message? A bold synergy between Zepto and Škoda—without a single spoken word confirming the deal.
And, naturally, media outlets pounced. Business Today, India Today, CarDekho, and a flurry of others sprinted to drop the juiciest headline first. “Zepto to Deliver Škoda Cars in 10 Minutes!” screamed one. “End of Dealerships?” suggested another. The internet had a field day.
But before the world could collectively lose its mind, Zepto’s co-founder & CEO Aadit Palicha, stepped in at around 7 pm today to clear the air with a LinkedIn post that read: “No, We’re Not Delivering Cars in 10 Minutes… yet. We’ve seen the headlines—Škoda & Zepto delivering cars in 10 minutes?! We love the energy, but let’s clear things up: you won’t be ordering a Škoda Kylaq from the Zepto app (as tempting as that sounds).
What you can get in 10 minutes? A test drive of the Škoda Kylaq for now 🙂
But… who knows what the future holds?”
That last line? A classic cliffhanger. Zepto may not be handing over car keys at your doorstep just yet, but they’ve certainly kept the audience hooked. And let’s be honest, with how fast commerce is evolving, nothing sounds impossible anymore.
So, while you might not be able to get a brand-new Škoda delivered faster than your morning espresso, the hype around this stunt proves one thing: Zepto and Škoda know exactly how to grab attention.
What’s next? Supercars on subscription? Jetpack deliveries? One thing’s for sure—2025 is looking exciting.
MUMBAI: At just 22, Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra are racing past food-tech giants Swiggy and Zomato, proving that speed isn’t just a metric-it’s a revolution. Their Zepto, the lightning-fast disruptor of India’s consumer internet space, where quick bites meet quicker delivery.
In a bold move to elevate its café division, Zepto has elevated Shashank Shekhar Sharma as its new chief experience Officer (CXO). With a mandate as sharp as its delivery timelines, Shashank steps into the driver’s seat to steer Zepto Café toward dominating the hyper-competitive food-tech arena.
Zepto’s co-founder & CEO, Palicha commended Shashank’s exceptional contributions, “Shashank is a top-tier operator. I have had the personal privilege of learning from his combination of detail-oriented execution, strategic clarity, and most importantly, unrelenting obsession with the customer. Zepto Café has been built ground up by him, and I believe he has it in him to build one of the largest food QSR businesses in India.”
Since Zepto Café’s inception, Shashank has been instrumental in shaping its journey. Reflecting on his promotion, he stated, “I am thrilled to take on this responsibility at such a pivotal time for Zepto Café. The online café model represents a paradigm shift in how urban India enjoys food and beverages, combining convenience, speed, and quality. As we introduce new menu items to the selection, we will remain meticulous in curating assortments that meet our high standards of quality consistency and taste. I look forward to working with our talented teams, sellers, and partners to build on this success and continue delighting users with exceptional experiences.”
Shashank’s rich background in food tech, retail, and QSR spans nearly two decades. His proven track record in driving business transformation and scaling operations perfectly aligns with Zepto Café’s ambitious growth trajectory.
Under his leadership, Zepto Café is set to strengthen its footprint and redefine urban India’s food and beverage experiences.
MUMBAI: Imagine rushing to a wedding and realising your shoes don’t match your outfit. With time running out, a quick solution is all you need.
With Bata India’s collaboration with Zepto, such worries could soon be a thing of the past. Bata India has teamed up with the quick commerce platform to deliver fashion and festive footwear to customers within minutes, marking a significant shift in how footwear is purchased in India.
The partnership, launched in Delhi-NCR, leverages the growing quick commerce market, which has been expanding at a compound annual growth rate of over 4.5 per cent. It aims to cater to the rising demand for on-the-go shopping experiences, with plans to expand to major metropolitan cities across India. With an estimated 48 lakh weddings expected in the coming months, this initiative promises convenience for customers needing footwear at short notice.
Bata India CEO Gunjan Shah expressed the importance of this collaboration saying, “At Bata, we’re constantly transforming & innovating to meet the needs of our customers, and our partnership with Zepto marks a significant step in that journey. We wanted to strengthen our omni-channel presence to ensure that customers can shop for our stylish and high-quality footwear in the way that best suits them—whether online, in-store, or now, with rapid doorstep delivery. Today’s consumers seek the convenience of having everything delivered to them, and this collaboration perfectly aligns with our mission to enhance accessibility.”
Zepto CEO Aadit Palicha echoed similar sentiments saying,“We are excited to partner with India’s leading footwear brand, Bata, and bring their stylish & comfortable range of footwear to our customers at lightning speed. This collaboration is all about convenience, speed, and making a wide variety of styles available to our consumers. We are united in our goal to enhance the shopping experience, redefining how quickly people can access stylish and quality shoes, making it easier for them to express their personal style on the go.”
The partnership underscores Bata’s commitment to adapting to the evolving retail landscape, ensuring its customers have seamless access to a wide range of stylish and comfortable footwear options at their convenience.
Mumbai: NDTV has announced the NDTV World Summit 2024 – ‘The India Century,’ a landmark event scheduled for 21-22 October 2024. The summit will convene an exceptional gathering of global leaders, thinkers and disruptors to address pivotal issues shaping the future, with a strong emphasis on India’s expanding global impact. The prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, will deliver an inaugural address on the theme ‘The India Century,’ highlighting India’s remarkable transformation on the world stage.
Continuing NDTV’s legacy of pioneering media, we will also launch NDTV World at the summit, with the tagline: “Seeing the World from Where India Stands.” NDTV World aims to be a leading voice from Asia and India on the global stage.
In addition to PM Modi’s inaugural address, the NDTV World Summit 2024 will feature a line-up of global thought leaders and visionaries, creating a powerful platform for impactful dialogue with Tshering Tobgay, Prime minister of Bhutan, Dr S. Jaishankar, India’s minister for external affairs, Sunil Bharti Mittal, founder and chairperson, Bharti Enterprises, and Nobel Laureate and Economist Professor Paul Michael Romer.
The line-up will also feature Kishore Mahbubani, Former president of the united nations security council and Lindy Cameron, UK High Commissioner. Amplifying the star power, proud winners from the 77th Cannes film festival, Anasuya Sengupta, Chidananda S Naik and Mansi Maheswari will be in attendance alongside renowned Influencer and YouTuber Nas Daily.
Start-up disruptors will take centre stage with significant names like serial entrepreneur Kunal Bahl, Zepto co-founder Aadit Palicha, Groww co-founder Lalit Keshre.
Attendees will also experience an enriching cultural performance by the legendary Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan, along with his sons Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangesh, blending India’s artistic legacy with modern interpretations. Singer extraordinaire Shilpa Rao will sing some of her most popular songs, bringing the audience to its feet.
The NDTV World Summit 2024 promises to be a landmark event, engaging a diverse audience from across the globe, and setting the stage for India’s continued leadership in shaping a more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive future. NDTV is committed to pioneering a platform for rich dialogue, reflecting India’s voice and vision in the evolving global order.
Mumbai: In a significant move advancing quick-commerce, U.S. Polo Assn. (USPA), the official brand of the United States Polo Association, has partnered with Zepto to offer its exclusive collection, delivered in 10 minutes.
This collaboration broadens Zepto’s seller portfolio and marks a shift in how shoppers access fashion. Beyond groceries and personal care, customers can now purchase clothing from premium international brands within the same fast delivery window.
On the announcement, Zepto co-founder & CEO Aadit Palicha shared, “We’re thrilled about this partnership. USPA, a brand that is synonymous with premium quality and timeless style. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in our quick-commerce journey as Zepto expands into the fashion and lifestyle space. With USPA on board, our sellers are delivering a new level of convenience to fashion shoppers across India.”
Arvind Fashions Ltd MD Shailesh Chaturvedi said, “With U.S. Polo Assn.’s sporty coolness and Zepto’s lightning-fast delivery, we are bringing a new level of accessibility and convenience to our customers. That’s such an exciting trend-setting solution for modern-day needs of our consumers .”
U.S. Polo Assn’s collection is now available on Zepto, offering users a curated range of timeless apparel. From classic polo shirts to casualwear, customers can receive iconic USPA pieces within minutes. This partnership marks a shift in quick commerce, with Zepto expanding from essentials to premium fashion. Whether it’s getting a polo shirt before an event or casualwear for a last-minute outing, Zepto delivers fast, quality fashion—providing a new level of convenience for those who value both speed and style.
Mumbai: Decathlon India, a sports products brand, and Zepto, known for its rapid delivery service, have announced a strategic partnership to improve access to sporting goods across India. This collaboration represents a notable development in India’s quick commerce sector, enhancing the availability of high-quality sports and fitness products.
Starting in September, users in 16 cities, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Chennai, and Hyderabad, can shop Decathlon’s range of sporting goods through the Zepto platform. Customers will have access to a variety of sports products, including fitness equipment, running shoes, and yoga mats, enabling them to easily obtain the gear needed for their active lifestyles.
On the announcement, Zepto CEO Aadit Palicha shared, “We are thrilled about Decathlon being a part of the Zepto family and I thank our sellers for having enabled this. We believe in promoting an active lifestyle and are excited about the opportunity to work with our sellers to make fitness products more accessible to millions of Indians.”
Further commenting on this announcement, Decathlon India CEO Sankar Chatterjee said, “We are excited to collaborate with Zepto to bring greater access to a wide range of sports products for our fellow Indians. As the demand for an active lifestyle in the Country continues to grow, we are committed to being part of this journey. This partnership further strengthens our mission to move people through the wonders of sport by quickly and efficiently delivering sporting products and equipment directly to their doorsteps.”
This announcement follows Decathlon’s recent move to enhance the shopping experience by integrating physical and online retail. As Decathlon seeks to expand access to sports, Zepto is emerging as a key player in the quick commerce sector for established brands. By partnering with Decathlon, Zepto underscores its commitment to delivering both quality and convenience. Fitness enthusiasts and sports lovers can now access Decathlon’s products with the speed and reliability Zepto is known for.
Mumbai: Zepto recently celebrated its third anniversary with a series of exciting and heartfelt celebrations, reflecting the company’s commitment to its customers, partners, and employees.
Launch of brand film: ‘Mujhe Kya Milega’
Zepto kicked off the celebrations last Monday with the launch of its brand film titled ‘Mujhe Kya Milega’ (What’s in it for me), a phrase often asked by Indians. The film, a fun and relatable concept, revolves around a man who repeatedly asks this question in various situations. The twist comes when he asks a Zepto delivery partner the same question and is delighted to discover that Zepto is offering a free return gift to its customers on its birthday. Conceptualised in-house, the campaign captures Zepto’s spirit of giving back to its customers.
Celebrating with first customers and longest serving delivery partners
On Friday, Zepto co-founders Aadit Palicha (CEO) and Kaivalya Vohra hosted a birthday celebration at the company’s Mumbai and Bangalore offices. They invited the first customers and longest-serving delivery partners for a special meet and greet, recognising the relationships that have grown with Zepto over the past three years. This event underscored the significance of these enduring relationships and the contributions of these early supporters and dedicated partners in Zepto’s journey.
Customer giveaways and social media buzz
As part of the ‘Mujhe Kya Milega’ celebration, Zepto delivered over eight lakh return gifts to customers who placed orders on 13-14 July. This gesture was met with enthusiasm and joy from customers. To add to the festivities, Third Wave Coffee joined the celebration by offering a special Zepto birthday deal for patrons, perfectly aligning with our third anniversary. Additionally, over 100 plus brands, including Coca-Cola India, Kit Kat India, Nivea India, amongst many others joined in the celebration by taking to their social media platforms to wish Zepto a happy birthday, creating a buzz and showcasing their support.
Engaging customers with music and contests
Zepto also created a special ‘party playlist’ on Spotify, which garnered over 2,500 saves on the music app and Zepto’s in-app story asking patrons to guess ‘what’s in the box?’ received over 40,000 responses. To further engage customers, Ariel launched a contest on the Zepto app offering a chance to win an iPhone 15. The lucky winners of the contest were Akash Sethiya, Mumbai; Jisha Pradeesh Nair, Mumbai and Rohit Kumar, Bangalore.
Leadership and employee participation
In a heartfelt gesture, over 200 Zepto employees, including the leadership team, hit the roads to deliver orders themselves on the company’s birthday. This initiative was a unique way for the Zepto team to connect with customers directly and thank them for their continued support.
Zepto’s third birthday celebrations were not just about marking a milestone but about expressing gratitude to everyone who has been part of its journey. From innovative giveaways to personal interactions, Zepto continues to redefine customer experience and strengthen its community.
