DTDC Express Ltd., one of India’s pioneering homegrown multinational logistics companies, marked its 35th Foundation Day with a bold move into rapid commerce. At a grand event held at the Jio Convention Centre in Mumbai, the company announced the launch of Raftaar, a new vertical that will enable 4–6 hour deliveries through hyperlocal dark stores. Alongside, DTDC unveiled India’s first White Paper on Rapid Commerce, developed in partnership with Boston Consulting Group (BCG), highlighting the growing importance of speed in shaping the next phase of e-commerce in the country.
The report, titled The Emergence of Rapid Commerce in India, underlines how delivery speed is becoming as critical as product and price in consumer decision-making. It estimates that rapid commerce has the potential to grow into a $20 billion market by 2030, creating a parallel $2 billion opportunity in logistics for infrastructure, fleets and innovation. The study notes that more than 60 per cent of online shoppers are willing to pay extra for same-day delivery, reflecting the strong link between delivery speed and customer loyalty. Significantly, it highlights the rising role of India’s Tier 2 and 3 cities, which now account for over 40 per cent of online retail spending and are adopting rapid delivery models faster than metros.
Speaking at the launch, Subhasish Chakraborty, Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of DTDC Express Ltd., said the company’s long-standing trust and reach across India uniquely position it to lead this next leap in logistics. “Rapid commerce will redefine customer experience, supply chain efficiency, and market competitiveness. With Raftaar and our collaboration with BCG, we are setting the benchmark for how India will shop, sell, and deliver in the years ahead,” he said.
Abhishek Chakraborty, CEO of DTDC Express Ltd., described rapid commerce as more than just faster deliveries, calling it a strategic shift in consumer engagement. He noted that the 4–6 hour delivery window represents a “Goldilocks zone” — fast enough to encourage conversions and build loyalty, yet sustainable enough to scale, especially in high-growth Tier 2 and 3 markets. Alpesh Shah, Managing Director and Senior Partner at BCG, added that rapid commerce fills a critical whitespace in India’s delivery ecosystem and has the potential to make a significant contribution to the vision of a Viksit Bharat.
The anniversary event also featured keynote sessions and three high-level panel discussions with leaders from leading D2C brands, investors, and logistics ecosystem players. The panels, titled Rewriting the Rules: Brands in the Age of the Empowered Consumer, Emergence of Rapid Commerce, and E-Commerce 2030: How Speed Will Reshape the Consumer Experience, explored how digital-first consumers are reshaping market expectations and how speed, technology, and smarter supply chains will drive the future of Indian e-commerce.
With Raftaar and the release of the country’s first Rapid Commerce Report, DTDC has positioned itself at the forefront of India’s next logistics revolution, setting the pace for a market where speed, efficiency and innovation will increasingly define competitiveness.
