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Retail tech companies speed up shopping with fast delivery and automated stores that eliminate checkout delays.
Smart inventory and return tools reduce losses and improve product availability across retail networks.
Speed-driven retail models show strong growth as convenience becomes a daily expectation.
Retail has changed dramatically over the past decade. Shopping is no longer restricted to long visits to physical stores or waiting in long checkout lines. Nowadays, many people can order essentials in just a few minutes or even walk out of stores without stopping at a cash register. These advancements are made possible by retail technology companies that develop systems to save time and reduce effort. Below are 10 rapidly growing retail tech startups and firms transforming modern retail.
AiFi develops cashierless store technology using cameras and artificial intelligence. Shoppers pick items and leave, while the system automatically records purchases. AiFi technology is active in over 100 stores worldwide, including airports, offices, and small grocery outlets. The company has raised close to $87 million, showing strong interest in automated physical retail.
RADAR helps physical stores track inventory using RFID tags and computer vision. Retailers using RADAR report inventory accuracy of 95% or higher, compared to much lower results with manual checks. This lowers the number of empty shelves and improves product availability.
Faire is an online marketplace that connects independent retailers with brands. More than 700,000 retailers globally use Faire to source products. Many stores expand their product range by 20% to 30% without increasing storage risk, since buying decisions are guided by sales data.
Optoro focuses on product returns, which have become a major issue with increasing online shopping. Its platform processes millions of returned items each year and helps retailers recover up to 60% more value by choosing better resale or recycling options.
Also Read: Agentic Commerce is Transforming Retail: Here’s How to Stay Ahead
Zepto operates in the fast-delivery space, delivering groceries and daily essentials in approximately 10 minutes across several Indian cities. The company uses small warehouses, or dark stores, close to residential areas to reduce delivery times. Zepto reached a valuation of about $7 billion in 2025, demonstrating rapid growth in the quick commerce sector.
Blinkit runs a large quick commerce network with over 1,500 micro dark stores across multiple cities. Orders usually reach customers within 8 to 10 minutes. Blinkit holds one of the highest market shares in the fast-delivery segment in India, underscoring strong demand for speed-based retail.
Instamart focuses on the quick delivery of groceries and essentials. It operates in more than 100 cities and delivers most orders within 10 to 30 minutes. Some regular users place 300 or more orders per year, showing how fast delivery has become part of daily shopping habits.
Also Read: Reinventing Retail Checkout: How Modernization is Reshaping the Shopper Experience
Amazon Fresh is Amazon’s entry into ultra-fast delivery and is currently running pilot programs in selected cities in India. The service tests 10-minute delivery using small fulfillment centers near customers. The pilot phase focuses on understanding cost, demand, and delivery efficiency before wider expansion.
Swap provides logistics software for online brands, covering shipping, tracking, and returns from one platform. Brands using Swap report 15% to 25% lower shipping costs and faster return handling, which improves operations and customer satisfaction.
Bigthinx AI builds 3D product visuals and virtual try-on tools for fashion brands. These tools help shoppers see how products look before buying. Retailers using this technology report up to 30% fewer returns, especially in clothing categories.
Fast delivery retail crossed $5 billion globally in 2025.
The market is expected to double by 2029.
Most fast delivery orders arrive within 10 to 20 minutes.
Inventory accuracy tools improve stock visibility by 20% to 30%.
Return management platforms recover up to 60% more value.
Retail technology is no longer restricted to experiments or niche stores; it plays a significant role in everyday shopping experiences across cities worldwide. Customers now expect faster delivery, improved inventory tracking, and easier returns as standard features. Companies that eliminate delays and confusion are consistently the ones experiencing the fastest growth.
Pilot projects like Amazon Fresh show how competitive fast retail has become. As technology improves and delivery networks expand, retail will keep moving closer to customers, focusing on speed, clarity, and ease of use rather than complex features.
1. How is retail technology changing the way people shop every day now?
Retail tech enables faster buying through quick delivery, cashierless stores, better stock tracking, and smoother returns, with less waiting.
2. What is quick commerce, and why is it growing so fast in cities?
Quick commerce delivers daily essentials in minutes from nearby dark stores, meeting demand for speed and last-minute shopping.
3. How do cashierless stores work without billing counters or staff?
Cameras and AI track items shoppers pick up and charge automatically, so customers can walk out without stopping to pay.
4. Why is inventory accuracy important for physical retail stores?
Accurate inventory prevents empty shelves, reduces losses, and helps stores keep popular products available across locations.
5. How does retail tech improve customer experience beyond fast delivery?
Retail tech simplifies shopping by enabling easy returns, improving product visibility, providing accurate stock data, and enabling smoother order tracking across platforms.
