Description: The retail landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by shifting consumer expectations, rapid technological advances, and the explosive growth of digital commerce. Dark stores and quick commerce are at the forefront of this change, redefining fulfillment, inventory management, and customer experience. What began as pandemic-driven solutions have quickly evolved into strategic imperatives that shape competitive advantage in modern retail. By bridging the gap between digital convenience and operational efficiency, these models challenge traditional supply chains and demand innovative approaches to inventory placement, demand forecasting, and urban logistics. Reimagining Retail Through Dark Stores and Quick Commerce offers a comprehensive exploration of the strategic, operational, and technological dimensions of these transformative retail models. Combining theoretical frameworks with practical case studies, this book shows how retailers across sectors and regions are leveraging dark stores and quick commerce to enhance customer experience, reduce costs, and build sustainable competitive advantages. Covering topics such as reconciling instant gratification, carbon footprint reduction, and artificial intelligence, this book is a vital academic resource for graduate and doctoral students, retail executives, supply chain professionals, urban planners, technology providers, consultants, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and more.
Brief description: Balraj Verma serves as an Assistant Professor at the esteemed Chitkara Business School-Doctoral Research Centre, affiliated with Chitkara University in Rajpura, Punjab. Holding a Ph.D. earned from Jaypee University of Information Technology (JUIT), Waknaghat, and a master's degree in Business Administration, he brings to the academic arena more than 16 years of rich experience in both academia and the corporate world. His qualifications extend to successfully passing the National Eligibility Test (NET) for teaching in the field of management, a testament to his dedication to education. Dr. Balraj Verma possesses a remarkable teaching portfolio, which includes courses such as Marketing Management, Strategic Management, Business Statistics, and Research Methodology. Furthermore, he is a strong advocate for rigorous research, as reflected in his extensive publication record. His research contributions encompass numerous papers published in ABDC listed and Scopus Index journals, as well as authorship and editorial work for books and book chapters, published by renowned major presses. Notably, he is not just an academic but also an active contributor to the academic community. He has played a pivotal role in organizing workshops and conferences, contributing significantly to the academic growth and development of his department and university.