Dark store economics for quick commerce: cost, throughput and breakeven
A typical 1,500–2,500 sq.ft dark store in Indian metros costs ₹8–₹15 lakh to fit out and ₹2.5–₹4 lakh/month to run, including rent, staff, electricity and tech. Breakeven typically requires 600–900 orders/day at Blinkit/Zepto/Instamart's contribution per order. Below that, dark stores bleed; above that, they print money — which is why platforms aggressively shut underperformers.