Quick commerce in India is booming—and at the center of this revolution is Zepto, the 10-minute delivery app that has taken urban India by storm. If you’re a brand looking to reach metro-based customers instantly and reliably, Zepto offers a golden opportunity. But selling on Zepto is not like listing on a traditional e-commerce platform like Amazon or Flipkart. There’s no direct self-serve dashboard to list your products. Instead, the process is centralized through Category Managers, who act as your gateway into Zepto’s dark store network.
This comprehensive 2025 guide explains everything you need to know—from onboarding to scaling—to succeed as a Zepto seller.
1. Why Sell on Zepto?
Zepto’s lightning-fast delivery and hyperlocal warehousing model give sellers unique advantages:
- Access to high-intent urban consumers
- Consistent daily orders for essential items
- Centralized fulfillment without last-mile hassles
- In-app visibility with promotions and marketing support
Whether you sell groceries, snacks, personal care, beverages, or daily-use essentials—Zepto is designed for high-volume, fast-moving products.
2. Who Can Sell on Zepto?
To be eligible as a seller, you must be one of the following:
- A manufacturer or brand owner
- A distributor or super stockist
- An authorized reseller
You also need to meet compliance and document requirements before Zepto can onboard you.
Basic Documents Required:
- GST Certificate
- PAN Card (business entity or proprietor)
- FSSAI License (for edible products)
- Brand Authorization Certificate (if applicable)
- Cancelled Cheque (business account)
- Drug License (if required by category)
- APOB registrations for each operating state
3. How to Register as a Seller on Zepto
The first step to becoming a Zepto seller is filling out the registration form on Zepto’s official seller platform. Visit brands.zepto.co.in/zepto to begin the process.
Here’s what the registration process looks like:
- Fill out the brand registration form with your company and product details
- Mention the categories you deal in (e.g., grocery, snacks, personal care)
- Await a response from Zepto’s internal onboarding team
If your brand aligns with Zepto’s category strategy, a Category Manager (CM) will be assigned to take the process forward.
4. No Direct Product Listing—It’s All Managed via a Category Manager (CM)
This is the single most important distinction from traditional marketplaces: You cannot directly list your products on Zepto through any dashboard.
Here’s how the process works:
- Once your initial interest form or inquiry is accepted, a Category Manager (CM) is assigned to you.
- The CM is your dedicated point of contact and handles everything from trading terms to product onboarding.
- You’ll discuss commercial terms such as margin, promotional budgets, and launch cities.
- After alignment, the CM initiates the New Product Introduction (NPI) process.
- Once SKUs are uploaded and approved, POs start flowing based on forecasted demand.
This centralized control ensures consistency in operations, quality, and experience.
5. Role of the Category Manager
The CM is the bridge between your brand and Zepto’s internal systems. Their responsibilities include:
- Discussing and finalizing commercial terms
- Reviewing pricing structure and margins
- Managing New Product Introductions (NPIs)
- Coordinating launch cities and timelines
- Guiding promotional strategies and marketing support
- Resolving fulfillment and RTV issues
They also guide you on what SKUs are best-suited for Zepto’s audience and inventory constraints.
6. New Product Introduction (NPI) Process
After commercial alignment, the CM begins the NPI process. This involves:
- Uploading SKU-level data: name, pack size, MRP, barcodes, etc.
- Sharing product imagery: front, back, and picker-friendly angles
- Documentation for each SKU (FSSAI, GST, etc.)
- Internal QC and legal review from Zepto’s side
Once NPI is approved, your product becomes eligible for PO generation. This process can take 5–10 working days.
7. APOBs and Multi-City Expansion
Zepto uses dark stores in multiple states. To supply these, you’ll need Additional Place of Business (APOB) GST registration in each target geography.
Why this matters:
- Without APOB, you can’t raise invoices for Zepto in that state
- Zepto warehouses can’t inward inventory unless APOB is compliant
- GST filings become smoother and legally accurate
This is one of the first operational steps before onboarding cities beyond your HQ.
8. Receiving Purchase Orders (POs) and Supplying Inventory
After listings are live and APOBs are in place, Zepto begins PO generation based on forecasted demand and platform strategy.
- PO volumes vary by city, category, and seasonality
- Inventory is sent to Zepto’s warehouses (not to end-consumers)
- Zepto manages redistribution to dark stores from these warehouses
- Stock levels are continuously optimized by the platform
It’s important to keep up with replenishment cycles and avoid out-of-stock situations, especially for high-demand SKUs.
9. Marketing, Ads, and Promotions on Zepto
Zepto offers limited but highly impactful promotional tools to boost visibility:
- In-app banners and homepage visibility
- Sponsored listings under categories like Snacks, Beverages, etc.
- Brand Store creation for large sellers
- Flash sales, combo packs, and discounts
Marketing spends are usually discussed upfront with the CM. Brands with monthly spends of INR 25,000 to 1,00,000 get higher visibility. These spends are charged against an advertising wallet or deducted from payouts.
10. Commission, Margins, and Payouts
Zepto doesn’t follow a flat commission structure. Everything is negotiated with the Category Manager.
- Typical margins range from 10–25%, depending on category and brand size
- RTV (Return to Vendor) policies are product-specific
- Payments are made twice monthly, with a 15–20 day lag
- Reports on invoicing, deductions, and settlements are available through Zepto’s internal portal
11. Logistics and Operations
Zepto handles all logistics once your product reaches their warehouse:
- Picking and packing at the dark store level
- Last-mile delivery to customers within 10 minutes
- Real-time inventory sync between warehouse and dark stores
Your role is limited to sending goods to the correct Zepto fulfillment centers. Zepto takes care of the rest.
12. Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Trying to self-list: There is no direct listing. CM is your only route.
- Delayed APOBs: This will slow down multi-city rollout.
- Inconsistent product info: Barcodes, sizes, and MRPs must align across docs.
- Poor forecasting: Zepto operates on lean inventory. Stock-outs hurt your visibility.
13. Tips to Succeed on Zepto
- Launch with your highest velocity SKUs first
- Focus on metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore for initial POs
- Align on high-margin products to absorb platform commissions
- Ensure attractive packaging for picker visibility
- Collaborate on weekly/monthly promotions to boost sales
- Maintain a buffer stock at your warehouse for quick re-supply
14. Scaling Beyond Phase 1
Once your products are performing well, Zepto encourages sellers to:
- Add new SKUs via the same NPI route
- Expand into Tier 2 cities with existing listings
- Participate in Zepto-exclusive launches
- Explore bundled offers or multi-pack variants
You can also request deeper category insights from the CM to plan better for each geography.
15. Final Thoughts
Zepto offers unmatched access to India’s modern consumer base looking for speed and quality. But the platform operates on a high-curation, low-manual intervention model. Your relationship with the Category Manager is the key to growth.
There’s no quick plug-and-play method here. But if you’re ready to invest time in operational readiness, marketing collaboration, and multi-city supply, Zepto can become one of your most profitable digital channels.
Need help launching on Zepto? We can assist with APOB setup, NPI coordination, catalog building, and Zepto-specific marketing. Get in touch to fast-track your onboarding.
