In the Indian quick commerce space Zepto is a force to be reckoned with which it has achieved through the introduction of very fast grocery delivery services. Behind this success are thousands of dedicated delivery partners we also refer to as “Salary of Zepto delivery boys” which are the backbone of the fast service and which see to it that orders get to customers’ doors very quickly.
As for what delivery partners are paid which is a matter of great interest to many is a result of many factors which include the company’s payout structure, individual performance and geographical location. While exact numbers may vary, from what is available in the public domain we may get a general idea of what they earn.
The Core of the Earning Structure: Order by order payouts and incentives.
At the core of what a Zepto delivery partner earns is a per order payment structure. That is to say for each successful delivery completed the partner gets out a certain amount. But that base pay in itself is usually not enough for a large income which is when incentives come in.
Zepto like other instant commerce players uses performance based incentives which they put in place to get higher order volumes and faster deliveries. Incentives do in fact greatly put up a delivery partner’s total income. For example hitting a certain delivery mark within a given time frame or during peak hours will get you a bonus. Also it is reported that while the base pay per order may be low the chance to earn from incentives which in turn gets you more deliveries is what motivates delivery partners.
It is true that payout per order does not have a set amount which may change due to various issues like distance, we also have had that reports of delivery partners who report changes in the payout models that don’t always in favor of them thus which in turn affect what they take home.
The very nature of the earnings model is that is always changing and that an average delivery partner’s weekly or daily profit is not a certain number but is a result of the use the person gets out of the platform and how efficient they are.
Salary of Zepto Delivery Boy Factors Influencing Monthly Income: Time, Place, and Rewards.
The in large degree very variable monthly income of a Zepto delivery partner in India which may range between Rs.20,000 to Rs.50,000 or in some cases up to Rs.60,00 which also reports of average of the range of Rs.30,000 to Rs.45,000. This wide range is due to many factors. For instance the number of hours put in to the job is very important.
Full time delivery partners putting in 8 to 9 hours a day will do better than the part time partners who put in fewer hours. Also reported is that full time partners may do around 24 orders a day which in turn will see them do better in terms of income.
Secondly we see that geography plays a great role in income. In major metropolitan areas like Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru which have high order volume and cost of living we see better per order rates and incentives as compared to the smaller cities. Also in these urban centers we see a greater demand for fast commerce services which in turn presents more delivery opportunities.
Also we see that join bonuses and other promotional incentives put forth by Zepto are a great boost to initial earnings. Some of the job posts report join bonuses which range from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 or more in some recruitment drives also which are in addition to the regular weekly incentives. These bonuses are put forward to encourage completion of a certain number of deliveries within a given time frame after joining.
Additional Issues and Problems for Zepto Delivery Partners.
Beyond that which is reported in terms of income, Zepto also presents a number of perks to its delivery partners. We see including accident insurance which at times goes up to as high as 10 lacs, and health insurance which they may get up to 1 lac.
Also brought out is the issue of flexible working hours which is a very popular feature, which means that the associates get to choose their shifts and which in turn may be full time, part time or just a weekend thing. Also we see in some of the hiring ads they are putting out benefits like free meals and accommodation in some cases which is all in an effort to reduce the financial burden of the partners.
However we see that delivery partners also have their issues. In terms of delivery speed which is a hallmark of Zepto’s 10 min delivery promise we see that drivers are put under great stress. Also delivery partners are left to bear the cost of fuel and vehicle maintenance which in turn reduces their take home pay. Also what we see is that income is very variable and that they are very much at the mercy of the incentive structure.
That said for many the appeal is in the flexibility of the work and the low barriers to entry which makes it a great option for the immediately employed a great chance for those who may not have extensive education or experience. Thus the total earning of a Zepto delivery boy is a very complex mix of base pay, performance bonuses, hours worked and also the economic forces at play in the city they operate in.
