India’s Food Delivery Growth in 2026 to Be Led by Experience, Speed and Value Focus

Platforms Eye Next Phase of Expansion​

India’s food delivery market is entering a new phase of growth, with customer experience, faster delivery timelines and value consciousness expected to drive expansion in 2026. Industry leaders say evolving consumer habits and deeper merchant participation will shape the sector’s trajectory in the coming year.

magicpin Focuses on Merchant Inclusion and Affordability​

Anshoo Sharma, Founder and CEO of magicpin, said future growth will come from expanding merchant inclusion while addressing the needs of value conscious consumers. He highlighted that the platform is onboarding a wide range of merchants, from single local restaurants to large brands and national chains, enabling them to compete effectively in the digital economy.

By lowering entry barriers and improving unit economics for merchants, platforms can help build a more balanced and sustainable food delivery ecosystem. Sharma noted that food delivery is increasingly becoming a daily habit for students, office-goers and families seeking affordability without compromising on quality.

He added that the company is focused on making everyday meals more accessible, covering late-night campus orders, office lunches and celebration-driven dining, while ensuring users continue to save meaningfully on each order.

Swiggy Highlights Speed, Balance and Reliability​

Rohit Kapoor, CEO of Food Marketplace at Swiggy, said food delivery has evolved significantly to meet changing consumer needs. He noted that meals today must fit into tighter schedules, longer working hours and shifting priorities.

According to him, food delivery increasingly serves different purposes, ranging from comfort and speed to making more balanced food choices. Looking ahead to 2026, he said the opportunity lies in responding to everyday decisions and emerging use cases by making delivery faster when needed, more balanced when required and consistently reliable.

Kapoor also pointed out that the key challenge for the sector will be scaling these experiences thoughtfully while keeping food accessible and maintaining a strong customer experience for millions who rely on food delivery as part of their daily routine.

Sector Shows Strong Economic Contribution​

India’s food delivery platform sector generated gross output of Rs 1.2 lakh crore in 2023-24 and has been expanding at a pace faster than the overall economy, according to a recent report. The sector has emerged as a significant economic driver, supported by rising consumer adoption and expanding platform operations.

Direct employment in the food delivery segment increased to 1.37 million workers in 2023-24 from 1.08 million in 2021-22, reflecting the growing scale and importance of the industry in India’s digital and services economy.