Layoffs · Commerce & Consumer Brands

Apna Mart cuts 10% staff amid AI automation push

What they do

Apna Mart delivers groceries in ten minutes via franchise partners in non-metro cities

The startup laid off 35-40 employees and moved product teams to Gurugram

This reflects an industry trend of using AI to reduce workforce redundancy costs

Apna Mart is cutting approximately 10% of its workforce across various functions.
The layoffs affect between 35 and 40 employees within the company.
Product and technology teams are relocating from Bengaluru to Gurugram.
Operations teams will remain in their current operating cities without relocation.
The company cites AI-led automation as a primary reason for redundancies.
Relocation was deemed infeasible for certain roles leading to the separation.
This move aligns with broader AI-driven restructuring trends in Indian startups.

Apna Mart operates a franchise-led quick commerce model for consumers.
It focuses on Tier II, III, and non-metro cities across India.
The platform promises delivery times of approximately 10 minutes to customers.
Products include groceries, daily essentials, personal care, and small appliances.
It currently operates in 14 cities including Jharkhand and West Bengal.
The model differs from dark-store competitors like Blinkit or Zepto.
Its approach is similar to Reliance Retail’s JioMart franchise strategy.
The company reported ₹190 Cr revenue in FY25 despite losses.
It claims a target of ₹500 Cr revenue for FY26 growth.

Accel (lead) — Global venture capital firm backing early-stage startups.
Peak XV (co-lead) — Former Sequoia Capital India, investing in high-growth companies.
Fundamentum Partnership Fund (lead) — Nandan Nilekani-backed fund focusing on strategic investments.
Sparrow Capital (participated) — Investment firm supporting innovative business models.
Alteria Capital (participated) — Venture debt and equity investor for growth-stage firms.

Product: An omnichannel grocery retail platform with app-based ordering and neighborhood store fulfillment.
Customers: Consumers in Tier II and Tier III cities who want fast grocery delivery.
How it makes money: It makes money from grocery and FMCG sales through a franchise-led store network and online orders.
What sets it apart: Combines online ordering with offline franchise stores and focuses on cities that larger quick-commerce players entered more slowly.
Operations: Operates in a franchise-led omnichannel model across Tier II and Tier III markets and expands through neighborhood stores.