Quick commerce startup Apna Mart has laid off around 10% of its workforce, marking its first reported job cuts, as part of a broader restructuring exercise linked to AI adoption and a shift in its operational base from Bengaluru to Gurugram.
The layoffs impacted approximately 35–40 employees across functions, with the company indicating that some roles became redundant due to AI-led automation, while others were affected as relocation to Gurugram was not feasible.
As part of the transition, Apna Mart has moved its product and technology teams to Gurugram, while operational teams will continue to function from cities where the company currently has a presence.
Founded by Abhishek Singh and Chetan Garg, the startup operates a franchise-led quick commerce model focused on Tier II and Tier III cities. It promises 10-minute delivery of groceries and daily essentials, positioning itself as a challenger to players such as Blinkit, Swiggy, and Zepto.
Unlike pure dark store models, Apna Mart follows an omnichannel approach, similar to Reliance Retail’s JioMart, combining physical retail with rapid delivery infrastructure. The company currently operates in 14 cities across Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal.
The restructuring comes amid a period of rapid growth. Apna Mart reported a net loss of ₹75.8 crore on ₹190 crore revenue in FY25, but claims its revenue grew 2.5x to ₹500 crore in FY26, although it has not disclosed profitability figures.
Backed by investors including Accel and Peak XV Partners, the company has raised around $40 million to date, including a ₹214.5 crore round in 2025 led by Fundamentum Partnership Fund.
The layoffs highlight a broader trend across startups, where AI-driven efficiencies and cost optimisation are reshaping team structures, even as companies continue to scale aggressively in competitive markets.
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