5 ways your brand can win in Q-Commerce 🛵
You forgot to buy an onion!
You've already started cooking and don’t have time to pop out to the shop.
Quick commerce might not be for everyone, but let’s face it, it’s a really good idea.
Whether it’s a missing ingredient, a last-minute craving, or an essential top-up. More and more shoppers are turning to rapid delivery services like Deliveroo, Uber Eats, Just Eat, and Tesco Whoosh.
The landscape is shifting. Getir, Gopuff, and Gorillas have disappeared, but new players like Booker’s Scoot and Co-op’s Peckish are stepping in to fill the gap.
The demand is clear. There are 80 million grocery Q-commerce orders annually, with 63 million fulfilled through Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat. As retailers and wholesalers invest heavily in this space, brands need to act now to maximise their presence and sales.
We asked digital and e-commerce expert Laura Hill how brands can succeed in this space. Here are her five top tips for winning with quick commerce.
1. Get the range right
Shoppers mostly use quick commerce apps for top-up or emergency missions rather than a full shop. Curating the right range to meet these needs is essential.
💡 Tip: Prioritise top-selling products that align with common shopper missions, such as last-minute meals, forgotten essentials, and impulse treats.
2. Make shopping fast and frictionless
Quick commerce shoppers rely on mobile apps, so speed and convenience matter not just for delivery, but for the shopping experience itself. If a product isn’t easy to find, it won’t get bought.
💡 Tip: Work with retailers to optimise product content. Use clear, mobile-friendly images and ensure product names are accurate and search-friendly to improve discoverability.
3. Stay in stock in convenience stores
Most quick commerce orders are picked from convenience stores like Co-op and Tesco Express, which have limited space and range. Managing the availability of best sellers is a real challenge, but stock shortages can lead to lost sales and disappointed shoppers.
💡 Tip: Build strong partnerships with retailers' supply chain teams to improve stock management. Accessing availability insights can help reduce out-of-stocks and ensure shoppers find what they need.
4. Help offer value for money
With household budgets under pressure, delivering value will be essential for quick commerce to grow. Retailers will want to attract new shoppers and increase basket size, which means focusing on both price and shopper experience.
We see Co-op take action in this space by adding member price savings to Deliveroo transactions.
💡 Tip: Work with retailers to offer value through basket-building promotions like bundle deals. Linking these to shopper missions, such as breakfast or dinner bundles, can drive sales while making life easier for shoppers.
5. Support retailers to drive profitability
E-commerce is costly for retailers, with staff and delivery expenses even higher in quick commerce. As a result, retailers will likely put more pressure on brands for support.
💡 Tip: Build strong partnerships now and collaborate on data and insights to drive long-term growth. Helping retailers improve efficiency and profitability will strengthen your position in the channel.
With rapid grocery delivery set to grow 29.6% by 2029, quick commerce is no longer a niche. It is becoming a core part of convenience retail.
Retailers and wholesalers are investing in this space, and brands that act now will be in the strongest position to grow.
To dive deeper into how quick commerce fits into retailer strategies and what it means for your brand, explore our Retailer Insight Report for UK Grocery.
Reach out if we can help with anything else.
All the best,
Ella & the May Insight Team
March 2025