DTDC marks 35th Foundation Day with the launch of ‘Raftaar’ and India’s First Rapid Commerce White Paper with BCG

MUMBAI: DTDC Express Ltd., one of India’s first homegrown multinational logistics companies, marked its 35th Foundation Day with a bold stride into the future. Celebrating this milestone, DTDC announced the launch of Raftaar, a cutting‑edge rapid commerce vertical that promises superfast 4–6 hour deliveries through hyperlocal dark stores. The company also unveiled India’s first White Paper on Rapid Commerce, developed in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group (BCG), reinforcing its vision to shape the next era of logistics and delivery in India.

The report captures the transformational swing in Indian e-commerce, where delivery speed is becoming as critical as product and price.

Key findings include:

• A $20+ Bn opportunity by 2030: Rapid commerce (4–6 hour deliveries) is projected to become a $20+ Bn GMV market, unlocking a parallel $2+ Bn logistics opportunity for infrastructure, fleets, and innovation.
• Speed drives loyalty: Over 60% of online shoppers are willing to pay extra for same-day delivery, making delivery speed a key factor in conversions and repeat
• Beyond metros – Bharat leads the charge: Tier 2 & 3 cities now account for 40%+ of online retail spending and are growing faster than metros in adopting same-day and rapid delivery models.
• From groceries to gadgets: Non-grocery categories in quick commerce have surged from 20% to 30% in just six months, with beauty, electronics, fashion, gifting, and auto parts driving demand for faster delivery.
• Smarter fulfilment, leaner costs:  By batching deliveries, shared dark store models reduce last-mile costs by 20-30% and enable even brands with lower order volumes to offer faster deliveries through their own channels in a cost-efficient manner.
• Building for Speed: Success in rapid commerce will hinge on multi-speed fulfillment strategies and strong partnerships. Not every product needs 15-minute delivery; brands must align speed with category demand, while logistics players invest in shared, tech-enabled infrastructure to achieve scale and profitability.

Mr. Subhasish Chakraborty, Founder, Chairman & Managing Director, DTDC Express Ltd., added, “For 35 years, DTDC has built trust and reach across India. Today, that foundation positions us to lead the next big leap in logistics — speed at scale. Rapid commerce will redefine customer experience, supply chain efficiency, and market competitiveness. With Raftaar and our collaboration with BCG, we are setting the benchmark for how India will shop, sell, and deliver in the years ahead.”

Mr. Alpesh Shah, Managing Director and Senior Partner, Ex-BCG India System Head & APAC Head – CEO Advisory, shared, “Rapid commerce fills a critical whitespace in today’s delivery ecosystem. The opportunity is emerging to develop a bespoke model for India with the potential to contribute significantly to a truly Viksit Bharat.”

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Abhishek Chakraborty, CEO, DTDC Express Ltd., stated, “We are proud of our 35-year journey, but we aim for more than just celebration. India’s challenges require local solutions, and as the nation progresses, so do we. Rapid commerce isn’t just about faster deliveries; it’s a strategic shift in consumer engagement. The 4–6 hour delivery window is in the ‘Goldilocks zone’ — it’s quick enough to encourage conversions and build loyalty, yet sustainable enough to scale. With Raftaar, we’re evolving from Xpress to Xponential, leveraging DTDC’s reach and technology to make rapid delivery a standard across all categories, particularly in high-growth Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets.”

The event at Mumbai’s Jio Convention Centre convened industry leaders, investors, ecosystem partners, and leading D2C brands to engage in dialogue on the future of rapid commerce. At its core was the release of India’s first Rapid Commerce Report, The Emergence of Rapid Commerce in India, jointly unveiled by DTDC and BCG.

The 35th Foundation Day celebrations commenced with an inspiring keynote by Ms. Arpita C Mittra , CEO, DTDC Express Ltd., who reflected on the company’s legacy, transformation, and vision for leading India’s rapid commerce revolution. The event featured three thought-provoking panels — ‘Rewriting the Rules: Brands in the Age of the Empowered Consumer’, ‘Emergence of Rapid Commerce’, and ‘E-Commerce 2030: How Speed Will Reshape the Consumer Experience’. These discussions explored how digital-first consumers are reshaping expectations, the economic potential of rapid commerce, and how speed, personalization, and tech-enabled supply chains will define the next era of e-commerce in India.

The panels brought together voices such as Anwar Alvi (Head, Brands.com, Bestseller India), Anisa Virji (Head – E-commerce, Regal Shoes), Aniket Kumar Singh (Sr. Manager – E-commerce, Pepe Jeans India), Nina Lekhi (MD, Baggit), Abhiroop Medhekar ( Co- founder & CEO, Velocity) Sameer Rajani (CEO, Deodap), Lokesh Daga (CEO & MD, Nasher Miles), Sumit Shah (Co-founder & COO, BOHECO) Shashwat Jain (CCO, Hyphen – mCaffeine), Arjun Vaidya (Founder, V3 Ventures), Akash Valia (Founder, Secret Alchemist), Pooja Shirali (VP, DSG Consumer Partners), Ravi Saxena (CEO, Wonderchef), Akash Zaveri (Co – Founder & COO, Plix)  and Rahul Sanghvi (Managing Director & Partner, Boston Consulting Group), who collectively underscored that rapid commerce is no longer a niche but a mainstream expectation shaping the future of Indian e-commerce.