As Diwali nears, 71% of users to prioritise value over speed on quick commerce platforms: Survey

Value for money and product quality are the top factors influencing Diwali shopping on quick commerce platforms this year, according to a survey, with consumers placing less emphasis on rapid deliveries. A LocalCircles survey found that 71 per cent of quick commerce users would choose a platform based on the best prices or overall value, while 65 per cent cited product quality as a key factor.

In comparison, only 22 per cent said fast delivery would influence their festive shopping decisions, while 43 per cent preferred platforms with low or no additional charges. The survey, which received over 2 lakh responses from users across 130 districts and more than 11,000 platform ratings, suggests that consumers are increasingly prioritising affordability and reliability over delivery speed as quick commerce becomes a key channel for festive purchases.

The findings come at a time when festive spending remains strong. According to LocalCircles, urban households are expected to spend around Rs 1.97 lakh crore during the festive season, with clothing, footwear, accessories, home appliances, travel, gourmet foods and gifting among the most popular categories. The report noted that many households are delaying purchases till closer to Diwali, creating an opportunity for quick commerce platforms that offer last-minute delivery of gifts, sweets, decorations, puja items and other festive essentials.

When asked about the factors that matter most while choosing a platform for festive shopping, respondents ranked value and product quality ahead of product availability, offers, discounts and delivery speed. According to the survey, consumers now consider rapid delivery a standard feature across platforms rather than a deciding factor.

Additional charges continue to be a major concern for users. Around 60 per cent of respondents said delivery, handling, small-cart or other fees often make their final bill higher than expected. Only 26 per cent said such charges rarely or never increase the amount payable. The survey also found that quick commerce remains largely a small-ticket purchasing habit. Nearly 70 per cent of users said their typical orders are worth between Rs 200 and Rs 999, with only a small percentage regularly spending more than Rs 1,000 per order.

Among platforms, Amazon Now emerged as the most preferred option for festive and last-minute shopping with 22% user preference, followed by Blinkit at 19 per cent, Zepto at 14 per cent and BigBasket at 12 per cent. For regular purchases, Blinkit was the most-used platform among respondents, followed by Amazon Now. In overall user ratings, Amazon Now and Zepto shared the top score, driven by value and transparency of charges, while Blinkit led on delivery speed and BigBasket scored highest on product exclusivity.

Commenting on the findings, LocalCircles founder Sachin Taparia said quick commerce has become increasingly important for festive shoppers, especially as many households postpone purchases until the final days before Diwali.

“Consumers want the best value, reliable quality and a final bill that matches the price they first saw. Platforms that show all charges upfront and keep them low will win the last leg of festive orders,” he said.