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Quick Commerce to Lead Gig Workforce Hiring
Context:
The quick commerce (qcom) industry is set to drive gig workforce hiring in 2025, fueled by the rising demand for faster deliveries, expansion of existing players, entry of new competitors, and evolving consumer preferences post-pandemic, according to industry experts.
Workforce Expansion
- The qcom industry currently employs nearly 260,000 individuals, including around 200,000 delivery personnel and 60,000 dark store workers.
- Workforce Growth: Industry experts predict that major qcom companies will grow their workforce by at least 60% in the next six months, adding around 150,000 new positions.
- The overall gig workforce in India is expected to grow by 70-80% in FY26, marking one of the largest expansions in recent times. The gig economy is poised to become a critical component of India’s labour market, with qcom leading the way.
Key Growth Drivers
- Surge in Demand for Faster Deliveries: As e-commerce and digital shopping have become more ingrained in daily life, the need for quick and reliable deliveries has skyrocketed, creating significant demand for gig workers in the qcom industry.
- Post-Pandemic Shift in Consumer Behaviour: The pandemic has made doorstep deliveries essential, leading to a permanent shift in consumer expectations. What was once a convenience has now become a necessity, further fueling the demand for gig workers, particularly in last-mile delivery.
- Expansion of Key Players: Major players like Zomato, Blinkit, Swiggy, and newer entrants like Zepto are rapidly scaling operations.
- Blinkit, for example, added an average of 2.4 dark stores per day, and Swiggy Instamart added 1.06 dark stores daily.
- This rapid expansion has created a growing need for gig workers in various roles, from delivery personnel to logistics and customer support.
- Investments in the Sector: There is an increase in investments and the number of players in the qcom industry, with significant growth anticipated over the next 2-3 years.
- Companies are expanding their infrastructure, like Amazon’s pilot qcom services in Bengaluru and Flipkart’s plan to set up 300 mini warehouses by March 2025.
Role Expansion
- As qcom companies expand, the demand for a variety of roles will surge, including: Pickers, packers, inventory managers, logistics managers, category managers, customer support, and more.
- This growth in roles will be crucial for managing the logistics and supply chain of the expanding urban logistics ecosystem.
Impact on Gig Worker Salaries
- Increased competition for gig workers is expected to drive better salaries and incentives.
- Sectors reliant on gig workers will experience a talent war as companies compete for skilled personnel.
