Q-commerce, or quick commerce, is a new generation of e-commerce that is revolutionizing online ordering and fast delivery. Its main objective is to buy online with instant delivery. During the last few years and the pandemic, e-commerce has experienced significant development and growth due to the widespread availability of delivery services, creating new consumers with new habits, demands, lifestyles, less time, etc. Consumers want to complete their purchases as quickly as possible, making delivery and order coordination paramount to the user experience. Quick commerce focuses primarily on delivery speed, aiming for delivery in less than an hour or, in the worst-case scenario, on the same day. It also emphasizes the implementation of excellent customer service. This is known as the third generation of online sales. Following the global implementation of startups offering delivery services, new consumer profiles have emerged, emphasizing speed, convenience, and customer service, regardless of price.

Generations of Commerce

In the first generation of commerce, delivery times are nonexistent, as self-service is prioritized. Stock availability is assumed to be all products available and stored in the store, and consumers typically use their own vehicles for transportation. Purchases are generally made by families of three to four people. Their main interest and incentive are discounts. The second generation is e-commerce. Estimated delivery times are one to three days, and only the main products are kept in stock. Transportation is understood as delivery by truck from a large warehouse to the delivery location. Purchases tend to be more personal, for one or two people. And, as with traditional commerce, consumers are primarily interested in discounts. Meanwhile, the third generation, quick commerce, aims to achieve a one-hour delivery time from the moment the order is placed. Unlike traditional commerce and e-commerce, stock availability consists of small selections of products delivered by bicycle or motorcycle. Storage is in local stores or warehouses and is typically handled by a single person. The main attraction for consumers is the speed of delivery. More than a term or new concept, it is a global consumer demand, which is already well-established in more developed countries. Meanwhile, in Latin America, order deliveries can take from one to three weeks.