e-commerce
Centre pulls plug on 10-minute delivery; Blinkit revokes, Swiggy, Zomato & Zepto to follow
NEW DELHI: India’s quick-commerce boom just hit a speed bump. After a month of quiet arm-twisting by union labour minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the country’s biggest delivery apps have begun scrubbing “10-minute delivery” promises from their branding to cool the pressure on gig workers.
Blinkit has already blinked. Its main tagline has been switched from “10,000 plus products delivered in 10 minutes” to a blander “30,000 plus products delivered at your doorstep”, government sources said. Zepto, Zomato and Swiggy are expected to follow within days.
The clean-up comes after Mandaviya summoned the sector’s heavyweights to a series of meetings, warning that turbo-charged delivery pledges were pushing riders into risky behaviour on India’s clogged roads and eroding safety and dignity at work.
The ministry’s move was sharpened by a nationwide strike on New Year’s Eve, when more than 200,000 riders refused to deliver food and groceries, protesting punishing timelines, pay and safety. The walkout reignited scrutiny of a sector that has grown at breakneck speed but left workers exposed.
In Parliament last month, AAP MP Raghav Chadha, accused platforms of trading on “pain and misery” and demanded tighter rules, social security and fair wages. Investors, already twitchy about the cost of extending labour protections under India’s new codes, have been watching closely.
India’s gig workforce is forecast to hit 23.5 million by 2030, nearly triple its size a decade ago.
e-commerce
Samsung Galaxy S26 series now available for instant delivery on Instamart
AI powered flagship phones start at Rs 87,999 with launch offers up to Rs 9,000.
MUMBAI: In the age of quick commerce, even flagship smartphones are learning to arrive at your doorstep at lightning speed. Instamart has partnered with Samsung to make the newly launched Galaxy S26 series available for instant purchase on the quick commerce platform, expanding the category beyond groceries and daily essentials into premium consumer electronics.
The Galaxy S26 lineup, which includes the S26 Ultra, S26+ and S26, is now available across several major Indian cities including Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Pune, among others.
The flagship series introduces several new features, led by what Samsung describes as the world’s first built in Privacy Display on a smartphone, available exclusively on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The display is designed to enhance privacy while unlocking a new class of screen experiences.
The devices also integrate agentic artificial intelligence designed to quietly manage routine tasks in the background, allowing users to focus on more meaningful interactions with their device.
Positioned as a major step forward in AI powered smartphones, the Galaxy S26 Ultra also introduces enhancements in areas such as nightography photography and Photo Assist tools, aimed at improving low light imaging and AI driven creative editing.
Through the partnership, Instamart is extending its quick commerce proposition to high value electronics, allowing customers to order the Galaxy S26 series and receive it almost instantly once sales go live.
The Galaxy S26 series will be available starting at Rs 87,999. As part of the launch offers on Instamart, customers can avail an instant discount of up to Rs 9,000 using an HDFC Bank credit card. Buyers can also opt for No Cost EMI options for up to 9 months.
The move reflects the growing overlap between quick commerce and consumer electronics, as platforms race to deliver not just groceries but also premium technology products with the same promise of speed and convenience.
