New Delhi, August 20, 2026: Customers relying on quick-commerce platforms for groceries and everyday essentials may have to spend more on smaller orders, with Zepto reportedly increasing the minimum order value for free delivery from ₹149 to ₹199.
Under the reported change, customers will need to place an order worth at least ₹199 to qualify for free delivery. Orders below the threshold may attract applicable delivery charges.
Free-Delivery Threshold May Reach ₹299 During Peak Hours
The minimum order requirement could reportedly increase further during peak-demand periods, with the free-delivery threshold reaching as much as ₹299.
The change means customers ordering a small number of items may have to either add more products to their cart or pay the applicable delivery fee.
The move also brings Zepto’s minimum free-delivery threshold closer to those of other major quick-commerce platforms.
Why Is Zepto Increasing The Threshold?
The reported change comes as quick-commerce companies increasingly focus on improving their average order value and delivery economics.
Small-value orders can involve almost the same logistics, packaging and delivery processes as larger orders. Increasing the minimum order value for free delivery can encourage customers to add more products to their carts while potentially reducing the delivery cost associated with smaller orders.
For frequent users who rely on quick-commerce services for one or two low-value items, the change could therefore have a noticeable impact on monthly spending.
Zomato Orders Could Also Become More Expensive
The cost of ordering food online could also rise if restaurants and delivery platforms increasingly shift towards sustainable and biodegradable packaging.
According to the report, replacing conventional plastic packaging with environmentally friendly alternatives could increase food-order costs by around 10% to 30%, depending on the packaging used.
Zomato Chief Sustainability Officer Anjali Ravi Kumar was quoted as saying that the transition from plastic to more environmentally friendly packaging involves additional costs.
Sustainable Packaging Comes At A Higher Cost
Potential alternatives to conventional plastic packaging include aluminium, bagasse, paper and clay-based containers.
While these materials can offer environmental advantages, they can also be more expensive than conventional plastic packaging. If restaurants absorb only part of the additional cost, some of it could eventually be reflected in the final price paid by customers.
Packaging costs are currently estimated in the report to account for around 5% of the overall food-order value in typical cases.
What Does It Mean For Customers?
The reported changes could particularly affect customers who use online platforms for small and frequent purchases.
With Zepto’s free-delivery threshold moving to ₹199 and potentially reaching ₹299 during peak hours, customers may increasingly need to consolidate their purchases to avoid delivery fees.
At the same time, the shift towards sustainable packaging could add pressure to food-delivery prices.
For consumers, the convenience of quick commerce and online food delivery is likely to remain, but the cost of placing smaller orders could gradually increase as platforms adjust their delivery and packaging economics.