Tata Group-backed online grocer BigBasket has decided to close its offline retail chain, Fresho, as part of a strategic shift to bolster its quick commerce operations. The move marks the end of the company’s experiment with physical outlets launched in 2021.
Fresho’s rise and planned expansion
Introduced in November 2021, Fresho marked BigBasket’s entry into the offline grocery retail space, with tech-enabled, self-service stores in Bengaluru. The company envisioned launching 200 outlets by FY 2023 and scaling up to 800 by FY 2026. These stores combined in-person browsing of fresh produce with the convenience of ordering BigBasket’s full catalog for pickup.
Why the shutdown makes sense
The decision follows a clear pivot toward quick commerce—a faster, delivery-focused model powered by localized dark stores. With Fresho underperforming, BigBasket plans to expand its dark store network aggressively, aiming to increase from 400 to 700 outlets by FY 2026.
Underlying financial context
This shift comes amid challenging financial trends. In FY 2025, BigBasket’s B2C arm, Innovative Retail Concepts, saw revenue dip by 3% to ₹7,673 crore, while losses ballooned to ₹1,851 crore from ₹1,267 crore in the previous year. Concurrently, its B2B arm also posted a 7% decline in revenue to ₹2,227 crore
Key Highlights at a Glance
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| What’s happening | Fresho stores being shut down |
| Strategic shift | Moving focus to quick commerce & expanding dark store footprint |
| Dark store expansion target | From 400 to 700 by FY2026 |
| Fresho launch | Started in 2021; aimed for 200 stores by 2023, 800 by 2026 |
| Financial backdrop | Decline in B2C revenue; widening operational losses |
Final Thoughts
BigBasket’s move to shut down its Fresho offline stores underlines a decisive shift toward quick commerce—a space defined by speed, efficiency, and scalability. By consolidating operations around delivery-first logistics, the company is doubling down on a model better suited to India’s competitive grocery landscape.
