The Indian retail sector is shifting at the speed of light, and behind this rapid transformation is the “10-minute delivery” mantra. Quick-commerce is no longer just a treat; it has instead become a necessity for the masses. In fact, it is being estimated that the quick-commerce sector in India will expand by a whopping 15x by 2025, and the key player in this sector remains Zepto. From being a dreamer’s dream to the household name that it is today, Zepto has emerged as the saviour for professionals and families alike.
This rapid expansion comes with the vast opportunity of expanding the reach and sales of local businesses and brands. With the completion of your Zepto seller registration, you will be able to access this frequent crowd that considers speed and quality above all. Moreover, the concentration on dark stores by the platform will ensure that your product always remains near the end-consumer.
In this article, we will explain the entire process of joining this fast-paced ecosystem and how you can manage your business effectively on the platform.
What Is Zepto?
India’s biggest quick-commerce platform and expert in the “grocery and essentials delivery in under 10 minutes” space is Zepto. It is one of the most motivational startup journeys in the Indian startup space, as it was started in July 2021 by the duo Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra, who are childhood friends and dropouts from Stanford University. They had started the business as ‘KiranaKart’ during the COVID-19 lockdown sessions. They realised that it couldn’t be executed well through the partnership model and adjusted to the ‘dark store’ model, renaming it to ‘Zepto’ afterwards.
“Zepto” is an abbreviation of “zeptosecond,” a time unit showcasing their passion for speed. Zepto, by the year 2025, has already become a contender for the title “decacorn” with a $7 billion valuation.
Moreover, they have been able to cover more than 10 large metropolitan cities, as well as Tier 2 cities such as Nashik and Vadodara, with a staggering number of over 900 dark stores.
Key Highlights of the Zepto Journey:
- The Founders: Aadit Palicha (CEO) and Kaivalya Vohra (CTO) founded the company at the ages of 18 and 19 years old, respectively.
- The Growth: Zepto attained a revenue run rate of over ₹11,000 crores in FY25.
- Dark Store Innovation: This is a mini-warehouse located in areas of high demand. The mini-warehouse is closed to consumers and is designed solely for picking and packing orders in less than 60 seconds.
- Expanded Categories: Although it began as an online grocery delivery service, Zepto expanded its categories to deliver products beyond groceries, such as:
- Human Nutrition: Fresh Produce. Fruits, Vegetables, Dairy,
- Electronics: Chargers, headphones, and other gadgets.
- Zepto Cafe: Order ready-to-eat snacks and freshly brewed coffee, which will be delivered within 10 minutes.
- Lifestyle: Beauty products, apparel, and home essentials.
This eliminates the long queues that are associated with the traditional means of e-commerce. Furthermore, it applies the latest AI technology that predicts the next buy for the customers. As a result, the relevant stock is found in the appropriate neighbourhood. In the following article, we shall walk you through how you can collaborate with the rising colossus through the Zepto seller registration.
Also Read: Zepto Franchise Cost
How Its Seller Model Works
In contrast to the conventional marketplaces where you would deliver goods directly to your customer, the business model of Zepto functions on the principles of speed and centralised inventory. You must understand these business dynamics:
- Strategic Selection: You identify which products to sell by concentrating on high-velocity items called snacks, staples, or personal care.
- Central Inwarding: After you finish the Zepto seller registration process, you pack the items and deliver them to the central hub of Zepto or the pre-selected warehouses, not the retail stores.
- AI-Powered Delivery: The company employs artificial intelligence to distribute your products to different dark stores in town according to consumption habits.
- Hyper-Fast Picking: Upon receiving the customer’s order, the closest “dark store” picker takes the shortest data-optimised route to pick your product within seconds.
- 10-Minute Delivery Time: There will be a dedicated delivery partner who will pick up the order and deliver it to the customer’s door in 10 minutes.
Who can become a seller on Zepto?
Zepto searches for trustworthy partners that can retain quality and stock. The criteria for registration as a seller in Zepto usually involve:
- Brand Owners: The ones who own traditional or new D2C brands.
- Manufacturers: These are manufacturers who wish to establish direct contact with urban consumers.
- Distributors & Super Stockists: These are the authorised wholesalers who are in charge of the stock of various popular brands of FMCG products.
- FSSAI-Certified Vendors: Primarily for those with food, drink, or organic produce.
- Authorised Resellers: These are business owners who possess official rights to market a particular brand of products.
How to Become a Seller on Zepto
Signing up as a seller on Zepto is an organised process, and if you have your documentation along, the process is speedy. Unlike any regular marketplace, Zepto follows a heavily curated model in order to support its 10-minute delivery service. Hence, the process of Zepto seller registration is not a straightforward signing-up process but is based on the alignment of your inventory with the Zepto hyper-local demands.
Zepto Seller Registration Online Procedure
In order to register yourself as a Zepto seller, you have to first visit the brand’s official portal. The process will filter out the good and the best. Here are the more detailed steps:
- Official Portal Access: The process should begin with accessing the official Zepto brand onboarding website. The website serves as the central access point for any manufacturers and proprietors.
- Initial Verification: Here, you are required to enter your number so that an OTP can be sent. This ensures that the contact details provided are correct from the initial verification stage.
- Fill out the “Interest Form”: You will be required to fill out some basic information in this form, including your name, business number, and work email address. Having a business email address might also assist in gaining credibility during the assessment process.
- Provide Business Information: You are required to provide your business name and choose the category of your business. Zepto has more than 30 categories, and you need to select the correct one, which depends on the type of products you are dealing with, such as ‘Gourmet Foods, Home Essentials, or Wellness Products.’
- Share Brand Presence: You will be required to share the current turnover and the platforms on which the products are sold currently (for example, the company’s website, Amazon, or physical stores).
- Submit Your Brand Deck: Along with the basic details, you could also be required to upload your brand deck or product catalogue. This allows the team to assess your Unique Selling Proposition (USP).
- Category Manager Contact: Once you fill out the form, your brand will be evaluated internally at Zepto. When a matching brand is found, a Category Manager will contact you in 15 to 30 days to discuss commercial margins and timescales for launches.
What is ZeptoSeller Portal & Seller Hub?
After your initial application is approved, you will be provided with access to the Zepto Seller Hub. This is more than a simple interface; it is the hub of your entire operation.
- NPI Management: You also get to launch “New Product Introductions” through the portal. This is where new products are presented in addition to the Zepto app.
- Inventory Synchronisation: The hub allows you to monitor stock levels across various dark stores. Since Zepto relies on lean inventory, staying updated is crucial to avoid lost sales.
- Sales Analytics: Access reports on which products are selling well in which neighbourhoods. Further, you can also use the information for production cycles.
- Financial Settlement: All your bills, commission deductions, and bi-monthly payment information are maintained in this section for easier accounting.
Documents Required for Zepto Seller Registration
In order to prevent delays in the registration process of your Zepto seller, it is essential to be ready with the legal documents required during the verification process. These documents include the following:
- GST Certificate: It is mandatory to have a GSTIN for the business entity.
- PAN Card: The PAN number of the business as well as that of the proprietor is, in most cases, mandatory.
- FSSAI License: This is an absolute necessity if you are dealing with or marketing any foods or beverages.
- Cancelled Cheque: Required to confirm your banking information so payments can be processed.
- Trade Mark Certificate: Or an authorisation letter/NOC from the brand owner if you are a distributor.
- APOB Registration: As Zepto operates storage in multiple states, you require “Additional Place of Business” registration for the respective geographies.
Zepto Seller Registration Fee & Commission
It is crucial to understand the cost structure before you complete your Zepto seller registration. For Zepto, it is all about building a partnership where the cost-sharing is done according to the success achieved through sales.
- Registration Charges: As such, there are no set entry charges for accessing the platform.
- Commission Structure: Commission is charged by Zepto on every successful transaction. This ranges between 10% and 25%, depending on the level of competition in your product category.
- Marketing Contributions: A small percentage of sales is usually contributed by the brands in order to be featured in the “Top Picks” or “Flash Sale” banner.
- Payout Lag: The payment cycle takes 15 days so that you can expect payment of the first half of the month’s earnings by the end of the respective month.
Zepto Seller Account Login & Dashboard – Overview
Your Zepto seller registration ends with you getting your login credentials for the dashboard. The dashboard is designed for speed and efficiency.
- Stock Inwarding: You can make “Purchase Orders” (POs) and monitor the time your stocks arrive at Zepto’s central warehouses.
- Order Tracking: Although Zepto manages delivery, it allows you to track the number of orders that are being processed at any given time.
- Customer Feedback: Rate the products of your competitors based on the feedback you got from the first activity.
- Promotional Tools: Utilise the dashboard to recommend discounts or combos to the Category Manager for increasing your sales during festive seasons.
Zepto Seller Registration Phone Number & Support
If you encounter a roadblock in the registration of your Zepto seller account, assistance can be obtained through the following channels:
- Email Support: You send an email to support@zeptonow.com or dev@zeptonow.com to
- Official Office: First Floor, 773, Sarjapur Main Road, Kaikondarahalli, Bengal
- Assigned CM: After the process commences, your category manager will be your single point of contact for any commercial or technical inquiries.
Can People Sell Products Using Zepto?
From a technological standpoint, Zepto is meant for business entities. The fact that “You need a GST number and a Business PAN” makes it difficult for the individual seller to register.
But in case you are an individual who has a homegrown brand, and you register a sole proprietorship business, you can always register on Zepto.
Comparative Analysis: Zepto Seller vs. Other Quick-Commerce Sites
| Feature | Zepto | Blinkit | Swiggy Instamart |
| Delivery Speed | Usually under 10 mins | 10-15 mins | 15-30 mins |
| Listing Process | Managed by Category Manager | Self-serve Hub + CM | Seller Central Portal |
| Primary Focus | Hyper-local groceries & Essentials | Wide range (Electronics/Toys) | Integrated with Food App |
| Commission | 10% – 25% | 15% – 25% | Category-dependent |
Alternatives to Zepto for Sellers
If you’re interested in looking for other marketplaces beyond Zepto, following your registration as a Zepto seller, you may want to explore these alternative options:
1. Blinkit (by Zomato)
Blinkit presently leads the race with a market share of nearly 45% in the Indian quick commerce market. What began as a grocery delivery service (previously called Grofers) now operates as a “digital mall” where everything from milk and bread to premium products such as iPhones, PlayStations, and air fryers can be delivered to customers’ doors in 10 to 15 minutes.
- Business Model: Hybrid inventory-led model, utilising the logistics technology of Zomato, operates with a commission charge of 15% to 25%, and through a dedicated Seller Hub with robust analytics.
- How it Differs: Deepest product line, strongest Tier 2 market, combined benefits of Zomato Gold, very visual “carousel” marketing approach to consumer brands.
2. Swiggy Instamart
Swiggy Instamart is the quick commerce division of the leading food delivery company, Swiggy. It taps into Swiggy’s huge existing base of foodies who are already using the app several times a day. It is famous for “24/7 delivery services across many geographies” to satisfy late-night and/or early-morning cravings.
- Business Model: Dark store partner model, leveraging Swiggy’s 24×7 delivery fleet, commission-based (15%-25%), and highly dependent on Category Manager (CM) partnerships for listing.
- How it Differs: Geographically widest presence (over 500 cities), most significant number of late-night orders, aggregated SwiggyOne loyalty app traffic, effortless cross-sell from restaurant orders, exclusive “Zepto Cafe” in the ready-to-eat category.
3. BigBasket
BigBasket (a Tata group company) itself is a well-known brand for quality products. Although BigBasket’s primary app has huge orders every month for “stocking up” in one go, BB Now is their quick commerce business vertical for deliveries in 10–20 minutes. It’s the go-to option for health-conscious consumers and people in pursuit of high-quality fresh produce.
- Business Model: “Farm-to-Table” inventory-led model with a focus on cold-chain logistics, along with “quality audits” that utilise the “BB Sambandh” vendor portal.
- How it Differs: Highest consumer trust for “Fresh” categories, high entry barriers for quality products, intense competition from Tata private labels, preferred by ‘weekly basket’ consumers, and relatively stable pricing as opposed to deep discounts.
Also Read: Myntra Seller Registration
Conclusion
Joining the Zepto family of businesses can be one of the best ways to ensure that your products reach the modern consumer in India in a lightning-fast time. Although selling as a Zepto seller requires some coordination with the Category Managers, the result in terms of sales and visibility of your brand will give you an enormous payoff.
Since quick commerce is still the king in most of the major cities in India, being one of the early birds on the Zepto platform can give you a competitive edge that traditional businesses can’t provide.
FAQs
Zepto seller registration takes only a few seconds.
The first verification process will take a few days, whereas the whole process of onboarding might take 2-4 weeks based on the SKU complexity.
Is GST mandatory while selling on Zepto?
Indeed, a valid GSTIN is mandatory in the Zepto seller registration process.
Does Zepto handle the delivery of the products to the customer?
Yes, Zepto takes care of all the last-mile logistics from the dark stores right up to the customer’s doorstep.
Can I post homemade goods on Zepto?
Yes, if you have the necessary business registrations and your packing quality meets standards.
What is an NPI in Zepto?
NPI stands for New Product Introduction. This refers to the process whereby your Category Manager will upload and approve the new SKUs.
