Discounts, nudges, added fees: Qcom quietly making customers pay more

From steep discounts on pricier items to subtle nudges and layered fees, quick commerce firms are tactically steering users toward higher-value purchases to improve unit economics

Quick commerce platforms are nudging customers to spend more through steeper discounts on expensive items, subtle in-app prompts, and layered service fees, all aimed at increasing average order values (AOV) and making deliveries more cost-effective.

 

According to a June report by JM Financial, quick commerce platforms (qcom) are increasingly steering users toward higher-priced stock-keeping units (SKUs) and larger basket sizes.

 

Customers in five metro cities received two to three times more discounts on SKUs with a maximum retail price (MRP) above ₹200 compared to lower-priced items, the report noted.

 

Anish Srivastava, senior vice president at Blinkit, said the shift towards