Flipkart Eyes Over 1,500 Dark Stores by 2026 as Quick Commerce Grows: UBS Report

Flipkart is looking to cross 1,500 quick commerce dark stores by 2026, as per a UBS report. The company currently runs around 750-850 stores. 

The rollout started in January 2026 and is to add close to 800 stores this year. A large share of the expansion is taking place in tier-II and III cities such as Rohtak, Muzaffarpur, Hajipur, and Asansol. 

Amazon Builds Parallel Network 

Amazon has scaled its network to around 450-500 dark stores. Of these, 330-370 are operational, with another 100-140 in the pipeline. 

The company is also adjusting its delivery mix. UBS said Amazon may wind down its 4-24 hour service, Amazon Fresh, in 10-15 cities and focus more on its quick commerce offering, AmazonNow. 

Partnerships Shape Expansion 

Both companies are working with third-party operators to set up and run dark stores. These partners manage store infrastructure, inventory systems, and, in some cases, last-mile delivery. 

This model allows faster expansion without building the entire system internally. It has also led to higher demand for firms that specialise in running such operations. 

Cost and Operating Details 

Execution differs between the 2 companies. Amazon typically bears capital expenditure and rent, while partners handle operations. Flipkart follows a mixed approach, sharing costs with partners in some locations. 

UBS estimates that each dark store requires ₹45-60 lakh in capital expenditure. Mature stores process about 1,200-1,500 orders daily, with break-even levels around 1,400-1,500 orders and average order values of ₹500-600. 

Wider Industry Activity 

Swiggy Instamart had 1,136 active dark stores as of December 2025, while Zepto reported around 1,150 stores at the same time. 

Blinkit is expected to scale to 3,000 stores by March 2027. 

Read More: Zippee Processes 9 Lakh Orders in February 2026 as Quick Commerce Network Expands Across 21 Cities! 

Conclusion 

The increase in dark store networks indicates continued investment in quick commerce, with companies expanding capacity to support faster delivery services across markets. 

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