India is witnessing a rapid and transformative shift in its retail and logistics sectors through the rise of quick-commerce (q-commerce)—a model that promises to deliver goods within 10 minutes. At the center of this boom are companies like Blinkit (owned by Zomato), Swiggy Instamart, Zepto, and Flipkart Minutes, which are racing to meet the increasing demand for ultra-fast delivery, not just in metropolitan areas but also in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

The Emergence of the 10-Minute Promise

Initially focused on groceries, q-commerce platforms are expanding into electronics, fashion, household goods, and even pharmaceuticals. This evolution is driven by several converging factors:

• Consumer lifestyle changes, especially post-pandemic, have increased the demand for convenience and instant gratification.

• Smartphone penetration and digital payments have made ordering easier and faster.

• Fierce competition and significant investor backing have accelerated innovation and service expansion.

• Changing consumer behavior, particularly among Gen Z, favors frequent, smaller transactions over traditional bulk shopping.

What started as an experiment in convenience has quickly become a default expectation in many urban centers.

Hyperlocal Warehousing: The Backbone of Q-Commerce

To fulfill the 10-minute delivery promise, companies are building a decentralized web of micro-fulfillment centers, also known as “dark stores.” These small, strategically located warehouses serve a 2–3 km radius and are optimized for speed and efficiency.

• Speed and proximity are the game-changers. By stocking inventory close to consumers, platforms cut delivery times dramatically.

• AI and predictive analytics ensure these hubs are stocked with high-demand items, reducing waste and improving inventory turnover.

• Optimized delivery routes and short travel distances reduce fuel consumption and cut costs.

• Operational flexibility is key—these dark stores, often located in underutilized urban spaces, are agile and scalable.

This model is not just transforming mega-cities. Tier-2 and tier-3 cities like Lucknow, Indore, and Coimbatore are emerging as new logistics hubs, offering lower operational costs, available workforce, and growing consumer bases. The trend is also driving demand for Grade A warehousing infrastructure, with automation and tech-readiness becoming standard.

Economic Opportunity Meets Ethical Dilemmas

While the 10-minute model offers enormous economic potential, it comes with a growing list of concerns:

• Worker welfare is under scrutiny. Riders often face unsafe conditions, intense delivery pressure, and unrealistic performance expectations.

• Profitability remains elusive, especially in non-metro areas where lower order values may not justify the cost of hyperlocal fulfillment.

• Health and consumption patterns may be affected as frequent, impulsive purchases could lead to unhealthy food choices and increased consumerism.

• Urban congestion is escalating, with a surge in delivery vehicles clogging roads and increasing the risk of accidents.

• Regulatory uncertainties, particularly around land use and licensing for dark stores, pose ongoing challenges for expansion.

The Road Ahead: Tech-Driven, Consumer-Focused, and Regulation-Watched

The future of India’s quick-commerce ecosystem will depend on balancing technological advancement, consumer convenience, operational efficiency, and social responsibility. Innovations in last-mile delivery automation, predictive inventory systems, and rider safety tech are being explored as solutions.

Moreover, as the model spreads to smaller cities, the hyperlocal warehousing surge will likely create new job opportunities and stimulate local economies—if managed sustainably.

Conclusion

India’s 10-minute delivery boom is more than just a race to deliver faster—it’s a redefinition of urban retail and logistics. It exemplifies how digital infrastructure, urban planning, and evolving consumer behaviors are reshaping the modern commerce landscape. The path forward must balance speed with sustainability, profit with worker safety, and innovation with inclusivity to ensure long-term growth and societal benefit.

India’s 10-Minute Delivery Boom: A Blueprint for Disruption—and a Wake-Up Call for Caribbean Courier Companies

Meta Platforms, owner of Facebook and Instagram, has announced plans to launch a fully AI-driven ad-creation platform by the end of next year. This system will enable advertisers—especially small and medium-sized businesses—to input a product URL or image, set a budget, and have Meta autonomously generate, target, and optimize complete campaigns across formats—including image, video, text, and placement.

What the Platform Can Do
Creative generation: Builds ads from scratch—images, multi-scene videos, copywriting, and branding—using tools like Advantage+ and image-to-video converters

Advanced targeting: Employs Meta’s Lattice engine to allocate ad spend, refine audience targeting, and adjust pacing in real time

Automated budgeting: Balances campaign efforts across goals such as ROAS, profit, and conversion, with minimal human oversight

Industry Disruption & Agency Threats
Meta battles entrenched ad agency models—storyboarding, media buying, client liaisons—by offering a sleek, end-to-end AI solution. This has triggered market jitters: shares of global ad giants (WPP, Publicis, Havas) tumbled ~3–4% upon announcement

Agencies are concerned about “black box” AI with little creative uniqueness and limited transparency. A creative director warned that agencies risk becoming obsolete unless they champion human storytelling and strategy .

Meta insists it sees agencies as strategic partners—not casualties—enabling them to offload production and focus on high-level creativity

“We believe in the future of agencies. We believe AI will enable agencies and advertisers to focus precious time and resources on the creativity that matters. While we think there will ultimately be more automation in marketing, the role that agencies play is going to become ever more important through their ability to plan, execute and measure across platforms.” Alex Schultz, chief marketing officer and vice-president of analytics at Meta, in a recent post on LinkedIn.

Impact on Traditional Media Models
Democratization of ad creation: Millions of small business advertisers gain direct access to high-quality campaign tools previously available only to agency clients

Pressure on margins: Agencies built on hourly fees and creative production face erosion as automation slashes costs and time-to-market

Shift to consultancy: Agencies pivot toward brand narrative, measurement, and cross-channel attribution—areas where AI still struggles

Rise of performance pricing: Industry compensation models may prioritize outcomes over effort, accelerated by Meta’s technology

Investor Watch: Jamaican Ad Agencies on JSE Junior Market

The Limners And Bards Limited and One Great Studio, local creative houses listed on the JSE’s Junior Market, face both risks and opportunities.

Risks:
Client loss to self-serve AI tools on Meta.

Margin compression as SMEs opt for in-platform solutions over agency retainers.

Need for rapid adoption of AI to stay relevant.

Opportunities:
Local agencies could offer premium services—creative consulting, storytelling, campaign analysis—that AI can’t fully replicate.

They can act as intermediaries, bridging the gap for brands that need personalized strategy and regional expertise.

Possible strategic partnerships to deploy Meta’s tools with bespoke oversight and local flavour.

“AI tools would help “level the playing field” for small and medium-sized businesses that do not have the time or financial scale to use agencies. Millions of small businesses rely upon our platform to grow. For these businesses who aren’t able to work with an agency, or don’t have time during their busy days to think about their creative or targeting, that’s where AI can help level the playing field.” Alex Schultz, chief marketing officer and vice-president of analytics at Meta

Strategic Playbook for Agencies
AI integration: Adopt platforms like Meta Advantage+ or Omneky to streamline production.

Human centricity: Focus on brand voice, emotional resonance, and formats requiring high-touch creative input.

Outcome-based offerings: Transition to performance-driven fee models, aligned with client ROI.

Niche differentiation: Leverage cultural understanding, regional targeting, and deep local networks to stay competitive.

“Investors quickly sold off some of the world’s largest marketing services as news of Meta’s planned AI rollout, which could significantly swell the $160bn (£118bn) the company already makes annually from advertising.”

Investors in Context
Meta’s AI push secures its ad dominance, potentially lifting platform ad revenues 15–20% by 2026 via SME market expansion

Junior Market agencies face an inflection point: failure to adapt could erode valuation; proactive transformation may present attractive long-term upside.

Investment signal: Look for agencies investing in AI, offering high-value services, and embedding performance-based revenue models.

Meta’s “infinite creative” ad ambition is a disruptive force—reshaping the contours of advertising from production to pricing. For traditional agencies, the future isn’t erased—it’s redefined, demanding agility, technological foresight, and narrative excellence. Investors should scrutinize which players can transcend production to become indispensable strategic storytellers in the AI era.

Caption: A view inside Guardsman Cyber Intelligence’s cutting-edge Security Operations Centre (SOC), where cyber analysts monitor real-time global threats using advanced detection and response technologies.

From left: Dr. Kenneth Wykeham McNeill, Former Minister of Tourism (PNP); The Honourable Alando Terrelonge, State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica; The Honourable Kenneth Benjamin, Executive Chairman, Guardsman Group; The Honourable Marlene Malahoo Forte, Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs; Damian Blair, Group Executive Director – Governance, Risk and Compliance; Omar Edwards, Chief Technology Officer, Guardsman Cyber Intelligence; David Whittaker, Deputy Managing Director, Guardsman Group; and Steve McGregor, PNP Central Kingston Candidate, participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the official launch of Guardsman Cyber Intelligence’s state-of-the-art Security Operations Centre (SOC) on May 14, 2025.

In a historic leap toward national digital resilience, Guardsman Cyber Intelligence has officially unveiled Jamaica’s first Cyber Intelligence Security Operations Center (SOC) at its new headquarters located at 14-16 Balmoral Avenue in Kingston. This milestone development marks the beginning of a transformative era in cybersecurity for the island, as Guardsman takes the lead in protecting Jamaica’s digital assets and infrastructure.

The unveiling ceremony was attended by several distingushed guests, including Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, who delivered the keynote address.

Prime Minister Holness stated that Executive Chairman Kenny Benjamin is “A true pioneer in the field of security in Jamaica and Regionally. Kenny B is a national asset… stakeholder and contributor to Jamaica’s development. Kenny’s vision, leadership and continued investment is a landmark achievement for Guardsman Group and the entire Caribbean region.”

At the heart of this groundbreaking facility is a highly sophisticated command hub where a team of cyber professionals will monitor and respond to threats targeting networks, systems, and data across both public and private sectors. The SOC provides around-the-clock vigilance, leveraging artificial intelligence, automation, and expert human analysis to detect anomalies, investigate alerts, and respond rapidly to incidents.

Prime Minister Holness also emphasized the national importance of developing strong cyber defenses, “The SOC represents a bold and necessary step in safeguarding our digital future. Guardsman Group is a clear demonstration that the Caribbean can be not only a consumer of global technology, but creators of cutting-edge security infrastructure tailored to our regional realities.”

The Honourable Kenneth Benjamin, Executive Chairman of the Guardsman Group, reflected on the occasion, stating:

“As we usher in this new era of digital security, Guardsman is proud to lead the charge with the launch of our Cyber Intelligence SOC. This facility reflects our unwavering commitment to not only protecting our clients but also fortifying the technological backbone of Jamaica’s economy and national infrastructure”

Through this SOC, Guardsman aims to shield Jamaica’s critical infrastructure—including government systems, power grids, and financial services—from cyber-attacks that are increasing in frequency and sophistication. By offering enterprise-grade threat detection and rapid response capabilities, the center is poised to support everyone from small businesses to multinational corporations.

David Whittaker, Group Deputy Managing Director, emphasized the game-changing potential of this initiative, noting, “Our SOC is a game-changer for Jamaica. It empowers organizations of all sizes to take control of their cyber risk. We’re providing a level of digital defense previously only available in major global tech hubs.”

Damian Blair, Group Executive Director of Governance, Risk and Compliance, further highlighted the broader impact of the SOC, stating, “This is not just about defense; it’s about empowerment. We’re investing in Jamaican talent to ensure our nation is not only protected but positioned as a regional leader in cybersecurity.”

Omar Edwards, Chief Technology Officer of Guardsman Cyber Intelligence, shared insights on the innovation behind the SOC’s capabilities:

“This SOC is the culmination of years of strategic planning and innovation. It’s designed not just to react to cyber threats, but to anticipate and outpace them. We’ve combined world-class technology with homegrown talent to create a digital command center that rivals any in the world. Our mission is clear—make Jamaica one of the most cyber-resilient nations in the Caribbean.”

The SOC employs advanced technologies such as Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), bolstered by global and regional threat intelligence and automated response workflows. This infrastructure enables swift detection, containment, and mitigation of threats to minimize potential damage and downtime.

Following the official launch, attendees were given a guided tour of the cutting-edge facility, offering an inside look at the technology, personnel, and protocols driving this national cybersecurity initiative.

The Guardsman Cyber Intelligence SOC is not just a monitoring center—it is a strategic national resource. It enhances investor confidence, supports digital innovation, and positions Jamaica as a cybersecurity leader within the Caribbean. Organizations looking to strengthen their digital defenses are encouraged to explore how Guardsman Cyber Intelligence can help them secure their operations and future.

About Guardsman Group
Guardsman Group is a leader in security solutions and community outreach across Jamaica. Committed to corporate social responsibility, Guardsman Group invests in education initiatives that empower youth and foster lifelong learning.

About Guardsman Cyber Intelligence
As the digital arm of the Guardsman Group, Guardsman Cyber Intelligence is dedicated to protecting Jamaica’s digital ecosystem through advanced cybersecurity solutions. From its state-of-the-art Security Operations Center (SOC) in Kingston, the division delivers continuous threat monitoring, incident response, and cyber resilience services to clients across the public and private sectors. By combining cutting-edge technology with local expertise, Guardsman Cyber Intelligence is redefining the standard for digital security in the Caribbean.

It might not seem like roughly a quarter-century since the digital smartphone made an irrevocable impact on all our lives (whether you currently have one or not), but over the course of those years, cell phones have moved from being glorified field radios to nearly everyone’s go-to device; in business and in personal life, the smartphone is THE accessory, replacing analog watch, camera, game console, phone book and day-runner (remember those?).

And the function consolidation shows no signs of abating, as new feature-rich phones continue to be released to an ever-hungry public.

Dane Spencer, of Smart Mobile Solutions

No surprise then, that a gaggle of entrepreneurs, execs, media and influencers thronged the Digicel store in Tropical Plaza for Samsung’s latest salvo in the smartphone market “arms race” – the S25 line, comprising the base model, S25+ and the topline S25 Ultra, all boasting advanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities in addition to the expected bells and whistles (3 different types of camera; powerful new chipset; vital body function monitor etc). Emcee Debbie Bissoon kept things moving with her usual aplomb.

Dane Spencer, of Smart Mobile Solutions, in Jamaica, spoke to this ongoing function consolidation as a key driver of sales and market share. “The convergence of multiple apps on a single handy device means I can truly access and respond to information from anywhere,” he said, providing a personal demonstration on his own S25. “That means whether you’re in corporate or in business for yourself, you can make better decisions, faster.”

Jaszmin Martinez, the Dominican Republic-based Corporate Marketing Manager for Samsung amplified Spencer’s points on market share, adding, “Samsung has a significant presence in the Jamaican market, and one which has grown year on year, so it’s a very important market for us,” she said. According to Stat Counter, Samsung enjoys roughly 52% of the Jamaican smartphone market.

Stephen Murad of Digicel reminisced briefly about the head-spinning growth the company experienced in its early days and all the momentous changes that had taken place in the cell phone market since its launch in 2001. The cell phone, he said, was no longer just a device that you talked through, but increasingly, one you talked with (referring to the AI capabilities) and a constant companion. “The markets’ need for data is never-ending” he said, as folks of all ages have been spending more and more time with their phones.

The company has, however, taken note of those factors and the associated dangers of this manner of closeness with our devices, and has recently launched, though the Digicel Foundation, the Safer Internet Together (SIT) project. In partnership with other corporate entities (JPS Macmillan Education and Sunshine Snacks) and public agencies, the mobile carrier intends to advocate for safer, more responsible internet usage among students in 150 educational institutions.

But, as evidenced even from the interest in the store on launch night, a considerable number of Jamaicans plan to spend lots of time with their S25s.

The new device arrives almost, on cue, in a very dynamic and recently volatile, global smartphone market. After nearly three years of decline, the smartphone market had posted a creditable 7%, according to figures from Canalys Research. The hammer looked set to hit this year with the US President’s all-out trade war, and with the trade conflicts with China ongoing, smartphone sales may buckle under inflationary pressures.

Indeed, the stated Jamaican list price for the S25 entry model (J$136K + tax) is an eminently competitive tag, no doubt influenced by an awareness of the general market conditions (while not cheap, its entirely in line with what one would expect to pay for a similarly equipped competitor model). Indeed, the two lucky guests at the launch who each won one of the S25s on offer are no doubt putting their devices through their respective paces.

The ongoing evolution of life, both in the business and personal spheres, demand devices that can keep pace with dynamics of our multi-active, instantly communicating world, and at a competitive price point. Samsung, with its new flagship series, is looking to deliver -and reap handsomely – on all of those expectations.

Michael A. D. Edwards