Rapido teams with BigBasket, Big Bazaar & Spencer's for lockdown essential deliveries across 90 cities

Rapido is deploying 70% of its driver fleet commission-free for last-mile essential deliveries with BigBasket, Big Bazaar and Spencer's Retail across 90 cities during the COVID-19 lockdown. Talks are underway with Grofers, Dunzo and FreshToHome to widen the delivery network.

— FiledWed, 8 Jul, 2026, 07:51 IST·First seen Wed, 8 Jul, 2026, 07:50 IST·Source Financial Express · BrandWagon

What happened

Rapido partners with Big Basket, Big Bazaar and Spencer's Retail for last-mile essential deliveries across 90 cities during the COVID-19 lockdown, deploying 70%

Key facts

  • 90 cities
  • 70 percent of fleet
  • 118 lives
  • over 4,300 cases

Why this matters

With BigBasket, Big Bazaar and Spencer's already onboard and Grofers, Dunzo and FreshToHome in talks, Rapido is positioning itself as a horizontal last-mile aggregator ripe for delivery partnerships or acquisition interest.

What to watch

  • Announcement of commercial/paid delivery terms replacing commission-free model
  • Lockdown relaxation timelines by city triggering mobility demand recovery
  • Grofers/Dunzo/FreshToHome deal closures or breakdowns
  • Rapido fleet reallocation percentage shifting back toward passenger transport
  • Competitor moves: Swiggy/Zomato/Dunzo expanding grocery last-mile aggressively
  • Rapido negotiates paid per-order or SLA-based contracts with BigBasket, Big Bazaar and Spencer's before lockdown lifts
  • Sign Grofers, Dunzo and FreshToHome to widen category coverage beyond grocery into pharma and F&B
  • Build rider-partner incentive structure to retain drivers as delivery demand competes with returning mobility income
  • Incumbents (BigBasket/Grofers) accelerate own last-mile fleet buildouts to reduce third-party dependence