India’s festive season has triggered a surge in consumer spending, with e-commerce platforms witnessing record-breaking sales that are significantly boosting the national economy. According to recent reports, online shopping during Navratri and the lead-up to Diwali has generated over ₹1.15 lakh crore in gross merchandise value, marking a 20–25% year-on-year growth—the strongest in three years.
This digital shopping boom is driven by a combination of factors including GST rate cuts, increased disposable income, and rising rural affluence. Urban households are embracing e-commerce like never before, with a 115% rise in online shoppers reported this season. Categories such as fashion, electronics, groceries, and gourmet foods are leading the buying trends.
A FICCI-Deloitte report highlights that nearly 75% of consumers now rely on online marketplaces to discover products, and over half of India’s 1.6 million e-commerce sellers hail from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. This reflects a democratized digital marketplace that is reshaping retail, creating jobs, and expanding India’s global trade potential.
The festive momentum is also benefiting MSMEs, artisans, and entrepreneurs, who are leveraging digital platforms to reach wider audiences. With UPI transactions crossing 20 billion in August and festive credit demand rising by 35–40%, the ripple effect of consumer confidence is being felt across sectors including auto, FMCG, and clean energy.
