B2B Deliveries in India Skyrocket with 64% Growth in 2024: inDrive Reveals Insights in Shipments

NEW DELHI : B2B deliveries in India surged by 64% compared to the previous year, reflecting the growth in online and retail commerce across the country, an analysis by inDrive has found. Almost one-third of deliveries (32%) are B2B, made on behalf of stores, markets, suppliers, and other retail businesses. The analysis examined 5000 comments from Indian users about their deliveries to understand what kinds of items they send to each other or order from shops.  

The Indian deliveries were found to be incredibly diverse, varying in size, weight, value, fragility, and special handling requirements. The top five categories include food (35%), clothing and accessories (17%), electronics (13%), medicine (11%), and documents (9%). Other common deliveries include groceries, home decor, books, beauty products, and personal care items. 

Besides uncovering some of the most unique deliveries and memorable comments, inDrive has compiled essential tips for safe deliveries to help customers ensure their packages arrive securely. These safety tips are also available in the inDrive app.

“At inDrive, we are committed to providing a reliable, user-friendly delivery service for both businesses and everyday customers. This year, we took significant steps to support entrepreneurs in India by launching our web platform, which allows businesses to manage up to 100 deliveries simultaneously through their accounts. Currently, 40% of our B2B customers use this web version to streamline their deliveries,” said Pratip Mazumdar, Country Manager, inDrive.. “Our users appreciate the simple registration, multi-order functionality, downloadable order history for analysis, and the flexibility to work from both desktop and mobile devices.”

Food Deliveries
Food is a major category, with 19% of orders consisting of lunch boxes and tiffins — a popular choice among professionals and students who rely on regular, homemade meals. Cakes and sweets (4%) are also commonly delivered, often ordered for celebrations or as gifts. The variety of food items being sent, including popular dishes like biryani, paneer, rumali roti, rasmalai, and kachori, reflects the deep connection Indians have with their cuisine, especially regional and traditional favorites.

Clothing
Clothing deliveries, including single items like T-shirts, pants, and dresses, make up a significant portion. This trend highlights the growing popularity of online shopping for everyday essentials. Additionally, unique traditional attire, such as lehengas and sarees, is frequently sent, especially during the wedding and festive seasons when there’s a strong demand for cultural attire.

Electronics
Electronics deliveries are diverse and tend to include essential accessories such as chargers (6%), laptops (3%), and phones (3%). The demand for gadgets and accessories aligns with India’s growing digitalization and increased smartphone adoption, particularly around major shopping events like Diwali when people often upgrade their devices.

Medicine
Medicine deliveries are also common, though 66% are unspecified in detail. Some parcels contain urgent items such as blood samples and dental supplies, with frequent notes like “URGENT MEDICINE DELIVERY.” These emergency deliveries underscore the critical role that fast, reliable delivery plays in supporting health and wellness needs across India.

Unique Deliveries
India’s cultural richness is reflected in the array of unique items sent through inDrive. Among these are traditional items like a “small Krishna statue,” “puja supplies,” “Holi colors,” and “wedding cards.” These deliveries speak to India’s vibrant traditions, where symbolic items often play a role in celebrations and rituals.

As mentioned earlier, some orders contain precious items such as electronic appliances, and personal stuff, which users mention in comments. While it is understandable that there is sometimes a need to send such things, it is important to remember the rules of working with delivery services. To ensure that parcels reach their recipients safely, inDrive has put together some essential tips on how to prepare items for delivery, pack and wrap them, and find the right courier. For example:

• Label your item with the recipient’s address and name. As it prevents it from being confused with other deliveries. 
• Let your courier know that an item is fragile, heavy or requires a special attitude – write a comment on the app, giving a detailed parcel description. Data: Approximately 1% of the comments contain words related to the fragility of the deliveries. These comments emphasize the need for careful handling due to the delicate nature of the items.
• Camouflage the contents of your package. For example, if you send a piece of paper or something small, you can put it inside a book. Data: Approximately 16% of the comments contain the words “bag,” “box,” “envelope,” or “package.” These terms are frequently used in delivery descriptions, reflecting common packaging types.
• Always remember to take a photo of your package to document its condition and how it was packed.
• Wrap your packages with recycled materials. You can use tins, jars, or wooden boxes and decorate them to your liking. 
• Always check the courier’s rating and comments whenever you request a delivery.
• Choose the right vehicle to transport your items. For example, it may be a better idea to transport fragile items by car than by bike.