Zepto Raises Free-Delivery Threshold to ₹199

New Delhi, August 19, 2026 Zepto has increased the minimum order value required for free delivery, making its policy more closely aligned with other major quick-commerce platforms. The company has raised the threshold from ₹149 to ₹199 during normal periods, while the minimum order value can go up to ₹299 during peak-demand hours. According to customers, free delivery was previously available on orders worth ₹149 or more. Under the revised system, customers now need to place an order of at least ₹199 under normal circumstances, while the threshold may rise to ₹299 when demand is high. The move comes as quick-commerce companies continue to focus on controlling delivery costs and improving profitability. The higher minimum order value could encourage customers to add more products to their carts, potentially increasing the average order value and improving earnings per order. However, the change may affect consumers who typically use quick-commerce services to purchase only a few essential items. The decision also reflects the intense competition in India's rapidly expanding quick-commerce sector, where companies are adjusting delivery policies and pricing strategies to balance customer retention with profitability. The trend extends beyond quick commerce. In March this year, online food-delivery platform Zomato increased its platform fee by around 19%, taking it to approximately ₹14.90 per order from ₹12.50. Swiggy subsequently raised its platform fee by nearly 17%, taking it to about ₹17.58 per order from ₹14.99. As delivery platforms face rising operating expenses, changes in delivery charges, minimum order requirements and other fees are becoming increasingly important tools for improving margins. For customers, however, these changes could make the convenience of ordering small-value purchases increasingly expensive.