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New Delhi, August 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)

Quick-commerce platform Zepto has raised the minimum order value required for free delivery to Rs 199 during normal hours, up from Rs 149 earlier, while the threshold can rise to Rs 299 during periods of high demand.

The revised normal-hour threshold represents an increase of about 33.6 per cent from the earlier Rs 149 limit. Several customers have reported seeing a Rs 299 minimum order requirement during periods of heightened demand.

The move comes as quick-commerce companies seek to improve order-level economics while balancing delivery costs and customer demand, according to industry reports.

A higher minimum order value could encourage customers to add more products to their baskets, potentially increasing average order values ​​and improving the economics of smaller orders.

However, the move could also test customer willingness to place low-value orders, particularly for convenience-driven purchases where consumers typically order a small number of products for quick delivery.

Zepto's revised threshold brings its free-delivery minimum closer to those of Eternal-owned Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart, underscoring the intensifying competition in India's quick-commerce sector.

The latest change comes amid a broader trend of online delivery platforms experimenting with pricing, delivery charges and order thresholds to improve margins while retaining customers.

In March, food delivery platform Zomato increased its platform fee by around 19 per cent, or Rs 2.40 per order. The pre-GST platform fee rose to Rs 14.90 from Rs 12.50.

Swiggy subsequently raised its platform fee by about 17 per cent to Rs 17.58 per order from Rs 14.99. The revised charge represented an increase of around Rs 2.59, including the pre-GST calculation reflected in its app billing.

The changes highlight the growing focus among India's online delivery platforms on improving unit economics as they compete for customers in a market built around convenience and rapid fulfillment.