Why Zepto Removes Handling and Surge Fees From All Orders
Zepto removes handling and surge fees from all orders, and the move has already stirred the ultra-competitive quick-commerce market in India. The fast-growing delivery startup, backed by a recent funding wave, is pushing affordability as its centerpiece. While rivals hike convenience charges during peak hours, Zepto is doing the opposite — eliminating them entirely.
This bold shift signals a new chapter in the fight for customer loyalty, value perception, and market leadership in India’s rapid-grocery delivery space.
A Funding Boost — and a Strategic Reset
Just weeks after securing hundreds of millions in fresh capital, Zepto removes handling and surge fees as a calculated bet on scale over fees. The company aims to turn funding momentum into customer-acquisition fuel. Moreover, as inflation pinches Indian households, Zepto’s move frames it as the platform that listens to consumers — not squeezes them.
The timing is no coincidence. With Blinkit accelerating growth and Swiggy Instamart sharpening its loyalty programs, Zepto is signaling that affordability, not gimmicks, will win the next phase of quick-commerce.
Instead of charging ₹10–₹30 per order for peak hours or handling, Zepto removes handling and surge fees to lower psychological barriers to ordering essentials like milk, bread, vegetables, and snacks. In theory, more orders per user and higher basket values could offset lost fee revenue.
Additionally, the company is betting that a friction-free checkout experience will drive repeat behavior. After all, consumers hate hidden add-ons — and online chatter shows relief at a cleaner bill.
Why This Matters
This pricing pivot is more than a tactic; it’s a position. It builds brand trust, challenges competitors to rethink fee structures, and raises the stakes as delivery platforms chase long-term profitability.
If the strategy works, Zepto’s move could force a new industry standard. However, if costs climb and order volume doesn’t increase fast enough, the company may need to rethink — or innovate further.
Yet for now, the message is unmistakable: simplicity, transparency, and consumer value are Zepto’s chosen battleground.
Zepto removes handling and surge fees at a moment when India’s delivery economy is maturing and customer expectations are shifting fast. By prioritizing fairness over extra charges, Zepto is betting that convenience should feel rewarding, not expensive.
As competition tightens, the industry will now watch whether this bold no-fee model becomes the new norm — or the boldest risk in the quick-commerce race.
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