SHILLONG: A section of Shillong’s business community has backed the VPP-led Executive Committee of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) in opposing the return of quick-commerce platform Blinkit, saying its comeback would seriously affect local traders, workers and small entrepreneurs.
Addressing the media on Thursday, representatives of the trading community said Blinkit’s earlier operations in Shillong had already caused heavy losses to neighbourhood businesses. Speaking on behalf of the traders, Andrew Nongkynrih said Blinkit operated in Shillong for about three months in 2025, during which many local shops saw a sharp fall in sales. “Many shopkeepers recorded a decline of around 40 to 50 per cent in their business, and nearly 30 to 40 shops had to shut down because they could no longer survive,” Nongkynrih said.
He said traders later approached the KHADC Executive Committee seeking intervention, which eventually resulted in Blinkit ceasing its operations in Shillong. Nongkynrih said the issue affects far more than the city’s estimated 4,000 shop owners. He explained that wholesalers, distributors, delivery workers, head-load labourers, drivers, shop employees and their families also depend on the local retail sector for their livelihood.
“When we include everyone connected with this trade, nearly 20 per cent of Shillong’s population depends directly or indirectly on these businesses,” he said.
He added that local businesses contribute significantly to the state’s economy by paying GST, commercial electricity charges, FSSAI registration fees, labour licences and other statutory payments. According to Nongkynrih, neighbourhood shops also provide employment, including part-time jobs for students, while supporting many locally owned businesses across the city. Raising concern over unemployment, he said many young entrepreneurs had started businesses after taking bank loans, and allowing a large corporate company to dominate the market could threaten their future.
“Local shopkeepers also support home-grown products by giving shelf space to locally manufactured goods, often earning very little profit, because we want to promote local entrepreneurs,” he said.
He further argued that money earned by local businesses largely circulates within Meghalaya, strengthening the state’s economy, unlike large corporations whose profits are transferred outside the state.
Another trader, Samran Syiem, said grocery stores and essential commodity shops would be the hardest hit if quick-commerce platforms returned to Shillong.
“Blinkit operates with strong investor backing. It can afford discounts, free delivery and losses that ordinary shopkeepers simply cannot match,” Syiem said. He clarified that traders are not against technology or online business. He pointed out that platforms such as OYO, Booking.com and Agoda have helped local hotels attract more customers instead of replacing them.
“The real question is whether we want the neighbourhood shops that have supported families for generations to disappear for the convenience of ten-minute deliveries,” he said.
Syiem also said the business community would welcome a model that works with local retailers instead of competing against them, urging Blinkit to partner with neighbourhood shops rather than undermine their livelihoods.