Sankranti eve shop closures delay quick commerce deliveries
Quick commerce platforms such as Blinkit, Swiggy, and Zomato faced difficulties in fulfilling customer orders in Visakhapatnam on the eve of Makar Sankranti, as several shops remained closed and only a limited number of restaurants were operational in the city. The situation resulted in delays and order cancellations, leaving many customers dissatisfied, especially during peak evening hours.
Residents said demand was high due to last-minute festival requirements, but the availability of items and restaurants on the apps remained limited. Several customers reported extended delivery timelines, repeated rescheduling, and frequent cancellations.
“I placed an order for basic groceries in the evening, but the app kept showing many items as unavailable. Later, it was cancelled,” said a customer from MVP Colony.
Another resident from Dwaraka Nagar said, “Only a few restaurants were open in some areas. The waiting time kept increasing, and finally I had to step out and purchase the items myself.”
Delivery partners said meeting normal delivery timelines was difficult due to the shortage of operating outlets. “Most shops were closed, and only a few restaurants were accepting orders. That increased the workload and delayed deliveries,” said a Swiggy delivery partner.
A Blinkit rider added, “Even if we pick up quickly, we have to travel longer distances because only a few places are open. This causes delays, and customers get upset.”
Delivery workers also pointed out that the limited number of operational outlets led to uneven order distribution, with riders being assigned deliveries across distant locations. They added that increased traffic in commercial areas and at key junctions further affected delivery time.
A staff member at a restaurant in the Siripuram area said the outlet witnessed a sudden rise in demand. “Since very few restaurants were open, orders increased sharply. We managed as much as possible, but delivery took time,” the staff member said.
Customers also raised concerns over a lack of clear communication on the apps regarding service availability. “If shops are closed, the apps should show it clearly instead of accepting orders and cancelling later,” said another resident.
A spokesperson for one of the platforms said the disruption was largely due to festival-related closures and reduced merchant availability. “On festival eves, shop closures may limit merchant operations, which can impact fulfilment timelines in certain areas. We advise customers to place orders early and check real-time availability on the app,” the spokesperson said, adding that services return to normal once outlets resume regular operations.