As large crowds gathered for the India AI Impact Summit 2026, a quick-commerce solution quietly moved into place to meet real-time demand inside the venue.
Zepto set up a dedicated “dark store” just outside Hall 3 at Bharat Mandapam to cater exclusively to summit attendees. The temporary store was stocked with snacks, beverages, ready meals from Zepto Cafe, fresh fruits, sunscreen, stationery, and power banks. Sources indicated that the summit saw around 250,000–300,000 registrations, driving high on-ground demand for fast access to essentials.
Unlike Zepto’s usual larger-format dark stores, this pop-up facility measured just 1,200 sq ft. The compact setup relied on handheld scanners to speed up order processing and packing. Orders placed through the app were delivered by riders to 11 designated pickup points spread across the venue, ensuring smooth movement and faster fulfilment.
On February 17 alone, the dark store processed close to 1,000 orders. As footfall increased, daily orders crossed 1,700, highlighting strong adoption by attendees across the event days.
The delivery speed stood out as a key advantage. Most orders were fulfilled within 14–16 minutes, while food items were delivered in as little as 5 minutes. This was significantly faster than traditional food court queues at large events, where waiting times can stretch up to 30 minutes.
The initiative showcased how instant delivery models can be adapted for large-scale events, offering convenience without disrupting the flow of attendees. By placing inventory close to demand and using a lean operational setup, Zepto demonstrated how quick commerce can extend beyond residential deliveries into high-footfall public venues.
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