Apna Mart has reportedly laid off nearly 10 per cent of its workforce as part of a restructuring exercise tied to AI adoption and the relocation of key teams to Gurugram. The development marks the first major round of layoffs at the quick commerce startup.
According to reports, around 35 to 40 employees across different functions were affected. Some roles were reportedly eliminated as the company increased the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation in parts of its operations. Other employees were impacted after the startup shifted its product and technology teams from Bengaluru to Gurugram, with relocation not being a viable option for everyone.
The company’s operational teams, however, will continue to remain in the cities where Apna Mart currently runs its services. The startup has not yet officially commented on the reported job cuts.
Founded in 2022 by Abhishek Singh and Chetan Garg, Apna Mart operates a franchise-led quick commerce model focused on smaller cities and non-metro markets. The company claims to be operational in 14 cities across Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal. Its business model combines online ordering with local retail partnerships, similar to JioMart.
The layoffs come amid a broader trend of AI-driven restructuring across India’s startup ecosystem, with several technology companies reducing headcount while increasing investments in automation and AI-led operations.
