India’s festive shopping story has moved from bazaars to browsers. According to Marketing Mind’s debut report, ‘The Festive Decode 2025,’ the modern festive shopper is emotional yet impulsive, rooted in culture yet driven by convenience.
The report, based on 10,000+ digital survey responses across metros like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Kolkata, shows that 47% of respondents prioritised fashion and apparel in their festive budgets. Dressing up, it seems, remains the nation’s most beloved ritual of celebration.
Sweets and gifting at 16.9%, Electronics at 13.7%, and Travel/Experiences at 12.7% followed close behind, showing that gifting joy and creating memories now go hand-in-hand with self-expression.
Timing has transformed too: 35% shop only during sale days, while 29.8% buy last-minute, proof that India’s festive rhythm now syncs with flash sales, not festive calendars.
The marketplace split also reveals balance: 40.4% preferred online marketplaces like Amazon and Flipkart, 28.1% opt for malls, and 25.5% still rely on local markets, a sign that while India clicks to buy, it still craves the touch of tradition.
And in the quick commerce race, Blinkit dominated with 45.8%, followed by Zepto at 20.6% and Instamart 14.3% while BigBasket (5.1%) lagged behind. Others accounted for 14.1%. Instant gratification, not discounts, is now the festive thrill.
Conducted between August–October 2025, Marketing Mind’s ‘The Festive Decode 2025’ is the platform’s first-ever data-driven report decoding how India shops, scrolls, and celebrates. Capturing insights from 10,000+ real consumers, it marks a milestone for the publication, positioning Marketing Mind as a thought leader in understanding the emotional and digital pulse of India’s festive economy.
[Download The Festive Decode: India’s Consumer Takeaways From 2025]
