As the world increasingly adopts digital technology and integrates it seamlessly into our lives, the boundaries between the physical and digital realms are becoming harder to distinguish. This trend has increased the prevalence of dark stores and q-commerce, which are becoming more popular with consumers due to their busy lifestyles. In addition, consumers now expect rapid grocery delivery, which means retailers and instant grocers must continue investing in their omnichannel capabilities.

In this paper, Daymon examines how the growth of dark stores and q-commerce shortens the path to consumers and improves the shopping experience. The paper also highlights how the rising cost of living and high inflation affect consumers’ spending habits and how Private Brands can help q-commerce operators differentiate themselves and offer better value-for-money solutions.