New Delhi. E-commerce platform Flipkart has secretly started charging a platform fee of Rs 3. This fee is applicable on both online and cash on delivery orders. Let us tell you that this trend of charging platform fee was started by quick commerce platforms like Swiggy and Zomato. Now big e-commerce companies are also joining it.
Walmart-owned company Flipkart has started charging this fee from August 17, 2024. Let us tell you that the platform fee is visible on orders up to Rs 10,000 on Flipkart. The company says that this fee will help in running the platform efficiently and continuously improving it.
Platform fees are not applicable here
Customers currently do not have to pay platform fees on Flipkart Grocery and its travel vertical Cleartrip. However, it is already applicable on Flipkart’s fashion vertical Myntra and its quick commerce arm Flipkart Minutes, which charge Rs 20 and Rs 5 respectively.
Let us tell you that other quick commerce players like Instamart, Blinkit and Zepto also charge platform fees, which range from Rs 4 to Rs 9.99. This fee is charged in the name of handling fee.
Amazon does not charge platform fees
Currently, Amazon does not charge platform fees. Local quick commerce platforms, which are expanding into various product categories beyond grocery, are becoming a major concern for established players like Amazon and Flipkart.
For example, Zomato-owned Blinkit delivers small electronic devices in just 10-15 minutes. The rapid growth of these platforms has prompted established e-commerce companies to enter the quick commerce segment.