Today, the Q-commerce space, led by Blinkit, Zepto, Flipkart, Zomato, and Swiggy, among others, in India mirrors prevalent consumer expectations and the need to adapt as quickly as possible. Modern-day technologies like QR Code, RFID, IoT, AI, and ML have a deep role to play here. Businesses today need to be able to transfer information quickly and precisely. Modern e-commerce systems heavily rely on QR codes (Quick Response codes) as a quick and easy way to transfer data, as tracking orders and logistics requires the ability to transfer large amounts of data quickly and efficiently, which QR codes provide.
Quick commerce- the delivery of goods (or services) in incredibly short amounts of time, typically less than ten to thirty minutes- requires an incredibly robust supply chain and inventory management. It also demands a robust software infrastructure that can support technological solutions based on QR Code and RFID, allowing for a high degree of visibility, accuracy, and effectiveness when it comes to order taking and order processing, order fulfilment.
Let’s discuss in detail how a technology like QR Code can simplify inventory management, boost inventory visibility, streamline item visibility through strategic put-away and pick up processes, and ensure timely order fulfillment with real-time updates and notifications.
Complexities in the Quick Commerce Supply Chain
There are various challenges when it comes to quick commerce, starting with sourcing and logistics, which require hyper-local networks to get products to dark stores swiftly. Challenges include demand volatility, supplier delays, and real-time visibility. Also, poor tracking systems can lead to stock disparities across multiple micro-warehouses, where some will end up overstocked while others will have shortages.
1. Warehouse Management Challenges
The quick commerce industry relies on dark stores, which are essentially urban warehouses where speed of delivery is prioritised over scale of inventory. Because there is limited space, a fast turnover of inventory, and a tendency to oversell items, mistakes become frequent.
It includes missing items, wrong placement of items in the warehouse, being slow to place orders, and buying stock when you are already out of stock during peak time.
2. Order Fulfillment Inefficiency in Quick Commerce
Picking orders quickly in a 10-15-minute time frame seems reasonable, but it relies on accuracy. Errors can slow down the process, especially in busy warehouses. During busy times, workers may be grabbing the wrong product or forgetting to grab an item entirely (especially if they are in a rush). As a result, this creates delays that not only delay order fulfilment but also create additional and unnecessary labour costs.
3. Last Mile Delivery Issues in Q-commerce
The last-mile delivery is perhaps the most visible challenge. Riders must deal with traffic, rain, or insufficient addresses while trying to deliver an order.
The costs of fuel and vehicle maintenance also add to the cost. There are failed deliveries due to incorrect orders and no shows, further eroding customer trust. Scaling up delivery during peak times, such as evenings or weekends, adds a significant strain on resources as well.
How QR Code Technology is Automating Processes and Driving Success in Quick Commerce?
Q-Commerce Platforms like Blinkit, Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto, etc., offer lightning-fast delivery, often delivering orders within 10 to 30 minutes. Speed and accuracy are crucial in quick commerce because customers are searching for goods and services in real time, and quick commerce has succeeded by meeting their need for immediacy.
Implementing a QR Code-based solution, as done by Blinkit in 2017, can boost productivity, inventory accuracy, customer experience through timely order fulfilment, etc.
“We wanted to be quick, agile, and accurate. Enter the ‘QR codes’. We decided to develop a system which would work on basic smartphones: less investment & easy for training people.”
-Blinkit
QR codes can significantly streamline processes from warehouse to doorstep. QR Code Technology, when implemented correctly as part of an inventory management solution, while you also track orders, pick up, and order fulfilment, can be a very cost-effective and efficient solution.
A few benefits it offers to Q-commerce:
1.Put Away
2. Pick-up
3. Order Fulfilment
4. Inventory ‘stock’ tracking
5. Customer Service
1. Put Away with QR Code
In Q-commerce, goods arrive at micro-fulfilment centers (MFCs) in high frequency. Put away is the process of moving received goods from the receiving dock to their designated storage location.
Each incoming SKU can have a unique QR code linked to the Warehouse Management System (WMS) containing product details such as SKU ID, batch number, and storage location.
a.Upon receiving, staff scan the QR code on the packaging.
b. The WMS assigns a storage bin or shelf location.
c. Operators confirm placement by scanning the bin’s QR code, ensuring the product’s location is updated in real time.
How it Benefits Retailers:
a. Reduces misplacement errors.
b. Speeds up inbound operations.
c. Creates an auditable digital trail for compliance.
2. Pick-up Streamlined with QR
In a Q-commerce setup, pick-up often refers to selecting items from storage for delivery, either for last-mile delivery riders or in-store pickups.
Each storage rack/bin can have a QR code that verifies product location and availability.
1. Picker receives a digital pick list on a handheld device.
2. Scans the bin QR code to confirm the right product and quantity.
3. System validates correctness before moving to the next item.
How it benefits:
a. Eliminates picking errors.
b. Reduces time spent searching for items.
c. Facilitates new or temporary staff training with system-guided picking.
3. Order Fulfillment with QR Code Scan
Order fulfilment in Q-commerce demands extremely short lead times, often under 30 minutes.
A consolidated order label with a QR code can contain complete order details—customer name, delivery address, product list, and special instructions.
1. After picking, items are packed together, and a QR label is generated.
2. The QR code is scanned at dispatch to validate the contents against the order.
3. Last-mile delivery riders scan the code to access customer details and delivery routes on their devices.
How it benefits Order Fulfilment:
a.Reduces packing errors.
b. Provides a single source of truth for all order details.
c. Enables fast handover to delivery partners.
4. Inventory ‘Stock’ Tracking with QR Code Technology
Accurate inventory control is essential to prevent stockouts and overstock situations in Q-commerce. QR Code Use: Every SKU and storage bin has a unique QR code that links to live stock counts in the WMS.
1. During cycle counts, staff scan product QR codes to update stock counts instantly.
2. Discrepancies between physical and system counts trigger real-time alerts.
3. Low-stock thresholds automatically initiate replenishment workflows.
How it benefits in Inventory Management:
a. Real-time stock visibility.
b. Fewer manual data entry errors.
c. Seamless integration with demand forecasting algorithms.
5. Customer Service
Customer satisfaction in Q-commerce depends on speed, order accuracy, and problem resolution.
Customers can receive a QR code with their order receipt or packaging for post-purchase services.
1. Customers scan the code to track deliveries in real time or initiate returns.
2. A QR code can link to an AI-assisted helpdesk with pre-filled order information.
3. For repeat orders, customers can scan the same code to quickly reorder the same basket.
How it benefits:
a. Faster issue resolution since the order details are pre-linked.
b. Improves loyalty by enabling a frictionless reorder process.
c. Reduces inbound call center workload.
Necessary Hardware for Implementing QR Code Solution to Ease Quick Commerce Services
1.Smartphones and tablets: WMS apps allow Android and iOS devices with hardware cameras to scan QR codes; this is an affordable and scalable solution. Mobile computer devices like the Zebra TC22 and TC57 are very popular among Q-commerce firms that require rugged scanners with a display.
2. Handheld Scanners: With a wireless WMS connection, the rugged Zebra DS2278 can quickly scan QR codes, even if they are imperfect.
3. Printers for QR codes: Zebra ZT510, TSC Desktop, and Industrial Barcode Printers print high-quality QR Code labels for goods and shelves.
4. Wearable Scanners: Wearable scanners like Zebra WS50 can be worn on the wrist and increase productivity by 15% to 20% while providing a hands-free picking option.
To summarize, accuracy and speed in inventory, put-away, and pick-up are made possible by QR codes for quick commerce services. QR codes, while simple, can serve as a high-leverage tool for Q-commerce businesses to boost speed, accuracy, and scalability. By integrating QR code scanning into Put Away, Pick-up, Order Fulfilment, Inventory Tracking, and Customer Service, Q-commerce firms can ensure seamless data flow, reduce human error, and create a better customer experience; all while keeping operational costs under control.
In order to meet customer expectations and scale swiftly and sustainably, quick commerce services like Blinkit, Zepto, and others can make use of QR Code software solutions and procure reasonably priced hardware like mobile computers and durable scanners while meeting competitiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Describe quick commerce and explain how it differs from conventional e-commerce.
E-commerce that strives to deliver small order sizes in 10 to 30 minutes is known as quick commerce, or q-commerce. Compared to traditional e-commerce, which uses larger order sizes, larger regional/national warehouses, and delivery times of several days, Q-commerce is more concerned with speed and convenience. Customers in cities who are looking for nearly immediate access to products via the store's website are the focus of Q-commerce.
Q2. What operational barriers exist for rapid commerce?
a. Supply Chain Complexity
b. Warehouse Management
c. Order Fulfilment
d. Last-Mile Delivery
e. Manual Errors
Q3. Which businesses are leading the way in QR-based fast commerce?
In order to continuously meet strict delivery windows, major q-commerce brands such as Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy, and Instamart are improving their urban fulfilment operations with QR-based inventory and tracking systems.
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