Key Highlights:
Most grocery stores in India operate between 7 AM to 11 PM, with a growing number of 24/7 convenience stores emerging in major cities like Delhi and Mumbai. Quick-commerce apps like Blinkit, Zepto, and Instamart are transforming late-night grocery shopping, fulfilling millions of orders daily, including a surge in midnight snack deliveries.
Ever found yourself craving midnight snacks or needing urgent groceries late at night in India? Knowing “how late the closest grocery store is open” can make all the difference in such moments. Whether you’re a night owl, an early riser, or simply need to plan ahead, this guide provides comprehensive information about grocery store timings across India, emphasizing convenience and flexibility.
Grocery Store Operating Hours by Type
Grocery store hours in India differ depending on store type and region. Here’s a breakdown:
1. General Grocery Stores
In India, typical grocery store hours range from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, especially in major cities. However, this varies significantly based on location, store type, and demand. Urban stores, especially near universities or commercial hubs, might stay open later, sometimes until midnight or beyond.
2. 24/7 Grocery and Convenience Stores
The demand for convenience has given rise to several 24-hour grocery stores across major Indian cities:
| Store Name | Hours | Key Locations |
|---|---|---|
| New Shop | 24 Hours | Delhi NCR, Mumbai |
| 24Seven | Most outlets 24 Hours | Delhi, Gurgaon |
| Apna Bazar | Selected 24 Hours | Noida, Jamia Nagar |
| Nilgiri’s | Selected 24 Hours | South India, Delhi |
| Independent Stores | 24 Hours (selected areas) | Major metropolitan cities |
These stores generally focus on quick essentials such as snacks, beverages, toiletries, dairy, and ready-to-eat meals.
Popular Retail Stores and Timings
Below are typical operating hours for popular grocery chains across India:
| Grocery Store | Open Time | Close Time |
| DMart | 7:00 AM | 11:00 PM |
| Reliance Smart | 8:30 AM | 10:30 PM |
| Vishal Mega Mart | 10:00 AM | 10:00 PM |
| Spencer’s Retail | 8:30 AM | 9:30 PM |
| More Supermarket | 8:00 AM | 10:00 PM |
| Spar Hypermarket | 9:00 AM | 10:00 PM |
| Modern Bazaar | 9:00 AM | 10:00 PM |
| Easy Day | 9:00 AM | 10:00 PM |
Factors Affecting Grocery Store Timings
- Location: Urban stores often have longer hours compared to rural stores due to greater demand.
- Store Policies: Different retail chains have varying policies affecting their opening hours.
- Public Holidays & Special Events: Grocery stores might adjust timings during festive seasons or holidays, either extending hours or closing early.
- Local municipality restrictions.
How Can You Check When the Nearest Grocery Store Closes?
To quickly identify the exact hours of grocery stores near you, consider these methods:
- Google Maps: Simply search “grocery store near me” to view accurate, real-time opening hours.
- Store Websites: Most store websites provide reliable updates on timings.
- Direct Calls: Calling the store directly ensures accurate information, especially during holidays or special events.
Late-Night Grocery Delivery Apps
If stepping out late at night is inconvenient, several grocery delivery apps provide quick services, often until early morning hours:
- Zepto: Operates until around 2:00 AM in major cities.
- Blinkit (formerly Grofers): Typically delivers until 2:00-3:00 AM.
- Swiggy Instamart: Offers deliveries often until 1:00-3:00 AM.
- BigBasket: Regular and late-night delivery slots available.
- Amazon Fresh: Quick delivery, extending late into the night in selected regions.
These apps allow convenient doorstep delivery, saving time and hassle.
Latest Grocery Shopping Trends & Statistics in India
1. Typical Grocery Store Operating Hours
- Urban Stores: Typically open 8:00 AM–10:00 PM (12-14 hrs/day).
- Small Towns & Rural Areas: Usually operate between 9:00 AM–9:00 PM (10-12 hrs/day).
2. Growth of 24/7 Convenience Stores
- Leading 24/7 Stores:
- 24Seven: ~130 outlets in Delhi-NCR and Chandigarh.
- The New Shop: ~160 outlets across 35 cities, expanding rapidly.
- Regulatory Support: Delhi and Mumbai increasingly permitting 24-hour retail operations since 2022.
3. Quick-Commerce Boom (Instant Delivery Apps)
- Market Share: Quick-commerce services (Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy Instamart) make up ~67% of all e-grocery orders in 2024.
- Daily Order Volumes (Early 2025):
- Blinkit: 1.7 million/day
- Zepto: 1.5 million/day
- Swiggy Instamart: 1.1 million/day
4. Popularity of Late-Night Deliveries
- Zepto: Delivered 20 million snack orders between midnight and 4 AM in 2024.
- Peak Late-night City: Mumbai alone recorded 500,000 late-night snack deliveries.
5. Consumer Preferences: In-Store vs. Online
- Omnichannel Shoppers: 78% combine online and offline grocery shopping.
- Exclusive In-Store Shoppers: Now only 22% of consumers.
- Market Value: Online grocery reached approximately ₹743 billion (2023), projected at ₹2,700 billion by 2029.
6. Frequency and Timing of Grocery Shopping
- Weekly Shopping: Increased from 12% (2023) to 32% (2024).
- Preferred Shopping Times: Evenings post-work and weekends (Saturday peak).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why don’t all supermarkets stay open 24 hours in India?
A. Most Indian supermarkets don’t stay open 24 hours due to high operational costs and low overnight grocery demand.
Q. What’s the best time to go grocery shopping in India?
A. Early morning (7:00-9:00 AM) or late evening (post-9:00 PM) is ideal, as stores are less crowded.
Q. Are late-night grocery deliveries more expensive?
A. Typically, delivery apps charge slightly higher fees for late-night or express deliveries.
Conclusion
Knowing precisely “how late the closest grocery store is open” significantly enhances convenience, especially during late-night urgencies. With an increasing number of 24-hour stores and efficient grocery delivery apps across India, buying groceries at any hour has become simpler than ever. Planning ahead or relying on quick online deliveries ensures you’ll never run out of essential items, regardless of the time.
