Global Dark Store Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Category (Meat, Dairy, and Groceries), By Age Group (Children, Adults, and Elderly), By Distribution Channel (In-Store Pickup, Curbside Pickup, and Home Delivery), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2025 - 2035

Global Dark Store Market Insights Forecasts to 2035

• The Global Dark Store Market Size Was Estimated at USD 22.84 Billion in 2024
• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of around 38.20% from 2025 to 2035
• The Worldwide Dark Store Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 802.05 Billion by 2035
• Asia Pacific is expected to grow the fastest during the forecast period.

The global dark store market size was worth around USD 22.84 billion in 2024 and is predicted to grow to around USD 802.05 billion by 2035 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 38.20% from 2025 to 2035. The growth in the e-commerce boom, demand for quick commerce, advancements in automation & technology, investment in last-mile delivery, and sustainability & reduced carbon footprint are driving the dark store market worldwide.

Market Overview

The dark store market refers to the industry of a retail space, often a repurposed brick-and-mortar store, that operates solely for online order fulfillment and doesn’t allow customers to browse or shop in person. A dark store is a retail outlet or distribution centre that exists exclusively for online shopping, fulfilling online grocery, fashion, and electronics orders efficiently. There is growing adoption of dark store models, especially in urban areas where fast delivery services are a competitive advantage, owing to the rise of e-commerce, rapid delivery expectations, and demand for contactless shopping. Integration of automation, robotics, and AI-driven inventory management systems is evolving the dark store logistics. Further, the advancements include robotic arms and conveyor belts for enhancing order fulfillment speed and accuracy, enabling dark stores to process thousands of orders per day while minimizing human errors and labor costs.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the dark store market based on various segments and regions, forecasts revenue growth, and analyzes trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the dark store market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, type launch, development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the dark store market.

Driving Factors

Advancements in automation & technology, investment in last-mile delivery, and sustainability & reduced carbon footprint are escalating the dark store market. The shifting purchasing habits of consumers, facilitating the expansion of e-commerce, are responsible for driving the dark store market. Urbanization, high smartphone penetration, and a surging demand for fast, convenient delivery options among consumers are several factors contributing to the dark store market growth.

Restraining Factors

Management of perishable products, high initial investment, operational complexities, limited scalability, and regulatory constraints are restraining the dark store market. Further, the competition from traditional retail and fulfilment models is challenging the market growth.

Market Segmentation

The dark store market share is classified into category, age group, and distribution channel.

• The groceries segment dominated the market with the largest revenue share in 2024 and is projected to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the category, the dark store market is divided into meat, dairy, and groceries. Among these, the groceries segment dominated the market with the largest revenue share in 2024 and is projected to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period. Dark store grocery is a grocery retail emphasizing online order fulfillment rather than traditional in-store shopping. Inclination towards online grocery shopping with the convenience of home delivery, as well as government initiatives that aim at improving digital infrastructure, are propelling the market in the groceries segment.

• The adults segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the age group, the dark store market is divided into children, adults, and elderly. Among these, the adults segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. There is an increasing popularity of health-conscious and eco-friendly products among the adult age group. The growing disposable income, familiarity with e-commerce, and quick, convenient shopping experiences are responsible for driving the dark store market.

• The home delivery segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the distribution channel, the dark store market is divided into in-store pickup, curbside pickup, and home delivery. Among these, the home delivery segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. In the home delivery segment, localized micro-fulfillment centers are optimized for rapid online order fulfillment. The growing adoption of home delivery, owing to the expansion of e-commerce and a wide range of product availability, is driving the market in the home delivery segment.

Regional Segment Analysis of the Dark Store Market

• North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico) 
• Europe (Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of APAC)
• South America (Brazil and the Rest of South America) 
• The Middle East and Africa (UAE, South Africa, Rest of MEA)

North America is anticipated to hold the largest share of the dark store market over the predicted timeframe.

North America is anticipated to hold the largest share of the dark store market over the predicted timeframe. An increasing demand for faster delivery times and the exploration of innovative solutions for reducing the delivery windows are contributing to propel the dark store market. Further, an increased online shopping penetration, creating a strong demand for convenient and on-demand services, is promoting the market growth.

Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a rapid CAGR in the dark store market during the forecast period. Consumer demand for faster and more convenient delivery options, with upsurging online shopping, is driving the market growth for dark store. The growing need for faster delivery options and last-mile delivery in urban areas is also responsible for driving the market demand.

Europe is anticipated to hold a significant share of the dark store market during the projected timeframe. The rising focus on sustainability and technological innovation is significantly contributing to propelling the dark store market. Further, the significant developments, which are characterized by a strong focus on sustainability and technological innovation, are driving the dark store market.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the dark store market, along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their type of offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes type development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• Amazon.com, Inc.
• Auchan
• Dunzo Digital Private Limited
• Flipkart Private Limited
• Instacart
• Swiggy
• Target Corporation
• Walmart, Inc.
• Grab
• Zepto
• Others

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting And Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs) 

Recent Development

• In January 2025, Zomato-owned Blinkit, a prominent player in India’s quick commerce sector, reported an EBITDA loss of Rs 103 crore for the October-December period, a sharp increased from the Rs 8 crore loss in the preceding quarter.
• In November 2024, Quick commerce dark stores are poised to significantly impact India’s real estate landscape as they expand their dark store networks to meet the growing demand.
• In August 2024, Zomato-owned quick commerce firm Blinkit plans to keep up its expansion spree at the cost of lower short-term margins and aims to increase its dark store count to 2,000 from the current 639 by the end of 2026.

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Spherical Insights has segmented the dark store market based on the below-mentioned segments: 

Global Dark Store Market, By Category

• Meat
• Dairy
• Groceries

Global Dark Store Market, By Age Group

• Children
• Adults
• Elderly

Global Dark Store Market, By Distribution Channel

• In-Store Pickup
• Curbside Pickup
• Home Delivery

Global Dark Store Market, By Regional Analysis

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of the Middle East & Africa