SHILLONG, July 9: A section of Shillong’s trading community has thrown its weight behind the VPP-led Executive Committee of the KHADC in opposing the return of quick-commerce platform Blinkit, arguing that its operation would severely affect the livelihoods of thousands of local traders and workers.
Representatives of the city’s business community on Thursday expressed concern over reports that Blinkit could resume operations in Shillong, maintaining that its previous presence had adversely impacted local businesses.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Andrew Nongkynrih recalled that Blinkit operated in Shillong for about three months in 2025, during which local traders witnessed a sharp decline in business.
He said many shops reported a fall in sales ranging from 40-50%, while 30 to 40 establishments were forced to shut down due to mounting losses.
Following the experience, the trading community had approached the KHADC Executive Committee, which ultimately led to the closure of Blinkit’s operations in the city, he said.
Nongkynrih asserted that the issue extends beyond the city’s estimated 4,000 shop owners, affecting a much larger network of distributors, wholesalers, employees, head-load workers, drivers, and their families, who together account for nearly 20% of Shillong’s population. He pointed out that local businesses contribute significantly to the state’s economy through Goods and Services Tax, commercial electricity tariffs paid to the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited, FSSAI licences, labour licences, and other statutory fees.He said neighbourhood businesses also provide employment opportunities, including part-time jobs for students, while generating substantial revenue for the state.
Expressing concern over rising unemployment, Nongkynrih said many young entrepreneurs have started businesses by taking loans, and allowing a large corporate player such as Blinkit to dominate the market would threaten their survival.
He also noted that local retailers actively support home-grown entrepreneurs by stocking locally manufactured products, often with minimal profit margins, in an effort to promote indigenous businesses.
According to him, money generated by local enterprises largely remains within the state and contributes to the local economy, whereas companies headquartered outside Meghalaya repatriate profits while creating a few local jobs.
Another member of the delegation, Samran Syiem, said a large number of enterprises in Shillong are engaged in the sale of groceries and essential commodities, making them particularly vulnerable to quick-commerce platforms.
He alleged that Blinkit operates on an investor-backed business model that allows it to sustain losses through aggressive marketing, free delivery and deep discounts—advantages that neighbourhood retailers cannot match.
Syiem said local shopkeepers lack the financial capacity to compete with such pricing strategies, placing traditional businesses at a serious disadvantage.
At the same time, he distinguished Blinkit’s model from other digital platforms such as OYO, Booking.com and Agoda, stating that these companies have helped local hotels expand their customer base rather than replacing them.
He argued that the central question is whether the public wants traditional neighbourhood shops, which have sustained families for generations, to disappear for the sake of the convenience of ten-minute deliveries.
While reiterating their opposition to Blinkit’s current business model, Syiem said the traders were not against technology or digital commerce itself. Instead, they called on the company to adopt a model that works in partnership with local retailers and supports, rather than undermines existing businesses in Shillong.
