DTDC Express has announced the launch of Raftaar, a rapid commerce vertical promising deliveries ranging from 4 to 6 hours through hyperlocal dark stores. This signals a commendable step in the development of logistics in India. Announcing Raftaar during the 35th anniversary of the company, DTDC leadership highlighted the goal is to enhance customer experience while improving supply chain efficiency for e-commerce – especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
The launch of Raftaar coincided with a white paper developed with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) that illustrates rapid commerce’s role in transforming Indian retail. Rapid commerce in India is expected to be a $20 billion market by 2030 where logistics will represent $2+ billion as a result of consumer demand for rapid commerce for convenience and as a promotional offer.
DTDC officials stressed that Raftaar provides a “Goldilocks zone” of delivery speed, fast enough to enhance conversions and support customer loyalty, but also at a scale where the organization could maintain delivery times. Raftaar aims to leverage DTDC’s wide network and technology to allow rapid delivery to become the standard approach for product categories across the organization.
DTDC management envisions Raftaar helping build a “Viksit Bharat” by creating a demand to serve local market needs while enabling the country to build the set of local and regional businesses rapid commerce may requiren in advance of the expansion of rapid commerce away from leading metropoles in the future.
