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Zepto Raises Free-Delivery Minimum to ₹199, Up to ₹299 at Peak

The move aims to improve per-order margins by making small orders costlier so Zepto can cut cash burn.

Overview

  • Zepto raised the minimum order value for free delivery to ₹199 in selected cities and PIN codes and can increase the threshold to ₹299 during periods of high demand.
  • The change was implemented on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, and follows earlier, smaller increases that had moved some users from ₹99 to ₹149.
  • Zepto and analysts say the higher threshold is designed to improve unit economics by boosting average basket size and reducing the delivery costs that drive cash burn.
  • Customers now face a delivery fee on smaller carts and may need to add items to avoid the charge, a shift that could reduce the number of low-value, convenience-led orders.
  • The move aligns Zepto’s pricing with rivals Blinkit and Swiggy’s Instamart and forms part of a broader industry trend of testing fees and thresholds to lift margins.