India Festive Online Sales Target INR 1.5 Lakh Crore

India's festive-season consumption is projected to remain robust this year, with online festive sales expected to surpass INR 1.5 lakh crore, according to consumer research firm Datam Intelligence. The projection reflects an increase from festive sales of approximately INR 1.2 lakh crore in 2025, covering a shopping period starting in the first week of October and running through November.

E-commerce activity during the period is expanding beyond conventional staples such as smartphones and clothing. Categories including personal care, consumer goods, groceries, gold, and beauty products are taking up larger shares of online carts. Datam Intelligence projects that mobile phones will account for roughly 29 per cent of total festive sales this year, down from 38 per cent in 2024. Simultaneously, quick commerce has expanded groceries' share of online festive sales by 2.5 per cent over the past two years, with demand broadening into regional cities such as Ranchi, Jalandhar, and Kochi.

Offline retailers recorded sales of around INR 6.5 lakh crore during last year's festive season and expect that figure to rise this year, according to the Confederation of All India Traders.

The anticipated rise in order volumes is projected to generate seasonal employment for around 2.6 lakh young workers. Within the sector, Amazon India has announced plans to create 1.6 lakh seasonal employment opportunities. The e-commerce platform, which hosts approximately 20 lakh sellers, has also integrated around 56,000 local brick-and-mortar stores into its system.

Offline businesses and the automobile sector are also preparing for elevated festive turnover. Following growth in monthly vehicle sales during the current financial year, passenger-vehicle dealerships have begun building inventories for models that experience peak demand during Navratri and Diwali. Economists cited in the research noted that while festive demand supports broader economic performance, the overall impact will depend on realized spending across the quarter.

Important notes:

• Online festive-season sales are projected to reach INR 1.5 lakh crore, up from INR 1.2 lakh crore in 2025.

• Smartphone sales are estimated to represent 29 per cent of online festive purchases, a drop from 38 per cent in 2024.

• Seasonal hiring is expected to yield approximately 2.6 lakh temporary positions, with Amazon India planning 1.6 lakh openings.

• Offline retail sales, which reached INR 6.5 lakh crore last year according to CAIT, are also forecast to increase.