Q-commerce drives surge in demand for blue-collar jobs in India: Survey

The quick commerce industry hired about 40,000 workers last quarter to handle increased festive shopping and e-commerce demand

Quick commerce is fast emerging as the creator for blue-collar jobs, with the sector alone set to create half a million new jobs and lead the way beyond 2025, according to a survey by a global job matching and hiring platform.

 

The quick commerce industry hired about 40,000 workers last quarter (October 2024 - December 2024) to handle increased festive shopping and e-commerce demand. Delivery drivers, retail staff, warehouse associates, and logistics coordinators emerged as critical roles to support the industry's fast-paced operations, the survey by Indeed stated, adding that India will need 2.43 million blue-collar workers across various industries.

   

Sashi Kumar, head of Sales at Indeed India, said, “Five years ago, the idea of 10-minute deliveries seemed far-fetched. Quick commerce is about more than convenience; it’s about creating careers, opportunities, and a sustainable workforce. Every new delivery driver or warehouse worker represents a story of change, offering long-term employment that supports millions of families.”

 

Tier-1 cities such as Chennai, Pune, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi are seeing significant hiring activity as quick commerce expands. Notably, Tier-II cities like Chandigarh and Ahmedabad are also experiencing a rise in job creation, reflecting the growing reach of quick commerce into emerging urban centres, said the findings.

 

While quick commerce is leading the charge in creating blue-collar jobs, other sectors such as logistics, manufacturing, and traditional e-commerce are also experiencing growth in demand for blue-collar workers.

 

The survey also highlights the growing emphasis on skill development to meet the future needs of quick commerce. The top five skills that employers identified as high priorities are navigation and driving, digital literacy, data analysis, management, and tech support to increase efficiency and scalability in the workforce. The adoption of automation and digital tools is also shaping the types of skills needed for these roles.

 

To address potential skill gaps, many quick commerce companies are investing in training programems to upskill workers in areas such as technology adoption, customer service, and operations management. This investment in skill-building is aimed at a thriving tech-driven environment and long-term career growth for workers.

 

With robust skills, proper training, and learning on the go, workers in quick commerce are seeing increased opportunities for growth, as they move into more senior roles within the sector. Delivery drivers, for example, may advance to managerial or logistical coordinator positions, while warehouse workers can gain skills to manage larger teams or optimise operations.

 

Compensation trends and incentives

 

As the quick commerce industry thrives, companies are offering competitive compensation packages alongside various incentives to attract and retain blue-collar workers, especially in delivery and retail roles.

 

The average monthly base salary for retail roles, including delivery drivers and retail staff, is estimated at approximately Rs 22,600, according to Indeed Salary Calculator. During peak seasons, workers often see a boost in earnings through daily, weekly, and monthly bonuses. In addition to this, workers also receive non-monetary perks, such as smartphones in certain cases, referral rewards, etc.

 

This study was conducted among 2,583 job seekers and 1,087 employers to analyse job creation trends within blue-collar roles and the quick commerce industry.