Dunzo to shut most dark stores

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Editor's note: Hyperlocal delivery startup Dunzo is planning to shut down the majority of its dark stores, say two former executives, who asked not to be named. The company will deliver orders through local supermarkets instead of its own dark stores, says one of the two executives.  Additionally, the firm will increase its focus on its B2B vertical, say the executives. The second executive says that it will be working with merchants by providing last-mile delivery services.  The development comes as the Bengaluru-based startup, backed by Google and Reliance Retail, has been struggling to raise funds owing to investors’ concerns over profitability. Recently, the firm laid off 3% of its workforce, according to news reports. The number is much higher, say one current and three former employees (including one of the two cited above), who requested anonymity. Over the past few months, Dunzo has closed down some of its dark stores to cut costs.  The company has two verticals. The B2C segment, which includes Dunzo Daily and a parcel pick-up and drop service, contributed over 90% of the firm’s revenue till October. …