DTDC launches all-women dark store in Indore to power rapid commerce operations

DTDC Express Ltd. has launched an all-women-operated dark store in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, as part of its rapid commerce service, DTDC Raftaar. The 700 sq. ft. facility, managed entirely by women, handles everything from warehouse operations and last-mile delivery to client servicing and cash-on-delivery collections.

The move, which DTDC calls its “Dream Store,” is aimed at combining operational speed with gender inclusion in logistics, a sector where women have traditionally been underrepresented. The Indore store promises deliveries within two to six hours and serves as a scalable model for rapid commerce operations in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

DTDC currently operates dark stores in Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Cochin, Bhopal, Kanpur, Nagpur, Udaipur, and Meerut. The Indore facility adds another node to its expanding express logistics network across India.

“This initiative represents the endless possibilities that lie ahead for the industry,” said Abhishek Chakraborty, CEO of DTDC Express Ltd. “At DTDC, we believe that empowering women in logistics is not just about inclusion; it’s about creating stronger, more agile teams that bring innovation and passion to everything they do. This all-women-operated Dream Store stands as a testament to our belief that operational excellence and human-centric values can coexist and thrive together.”

Before its launch, the all-women team underwent intensive training on DTDC’s Warehouse Management System, Last-Mile Delivery App, and rapid commerce protocols. The store integrates technology-driven warehousing with on-ground efficiency to meet growing demand for two-hour and same-day deliveries from online-first brands.

Chakraborty added, “The rising demand from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities will be driven by shared ‘Dream Stores’ and smarter unit economics, making same-day delivery viable across categories such as electronics, fashion, and health supplements. Through DTDC Raftaar, we’re offering ‘dark store as a service’ to help D2C and mid-sized brands deliver faster without heavy upfront logistics investments. The Indore Dream Store perfectly brings this vision to life, where inclusivity, innovation, and speed converge.”

Ankita Tiwari, chief human resources officer, said the store is as much a symbol of inclusion as it is of innovation. “At DTDC, we are not just opening new facilities, we’re opening doors of opportunity. Diversity and inclusion are not just principles for us; they are part of our purpose,” she said. “The launch of our all-women-operated dark store in Indore reflects this belief, empowering women to lead from the front while building equitable workplaces where they can innovate and inspire.”