Since 2010, the growth of online shopping has changed the overall shopping behaviour in India. Visiting multiple offline stores and spending days to find the best deal was very common back in the days. Today, you can explore new brands and compare countless products without leaving your home. It has led to significant changes in shopping habits among Indian consumers. This is what we will discuss in this article in detail.
Always Wanting Additional Savings
All of you have memories of going to the vegetable market with our mom, and watching her bargain over ₹10 to ₹20. One always feels good when they are able to save a little extra, no matter what they are buying. This habit has become more common when shopping online.
Today, most online shoppers know that e-commerce websites provide coupon codes, cashback, and bank discounts that help them save a little extra. Customers may also use discount aggregator platforms to find offers in one place rather than finding them manually.
Key Highlights:
● Brands today know that customers are always looking for ways to save. Therefore, they often provide coupon codes on their website or work with discount platforms such as CouponzGuru.
● Almost all major brand websites and marketplaces feature cashback and bank offers. It is important to know that most of them are only eligible on certain credit cards.
Festive Shopping Spree
India features multiple seasonal sales due to the many festivals celebrated throughout the year. Festivals such as Diwali and Navratri involve long shopping sprees. It is common for most families to save up throughout the year and start shopping before major festivals. Instead of visiting stores and finding outfits, you can do your entire family’s shopping on your phone.
The benefits of shopping online during festivals are bigger price cuts, better bank offers, and cashback.
Key Highlights:
● The Amazon Great Indian Festival and Flipkart Big Billion Days are the biggest festive sales in India.
● Make sure you are a Prime member if you plan to shop on Amazon. They get more benefits along with faster deliveries.
● You might save more money if you get combo deals on fashion products.
Online Grocery Shopping
I remember going to the grocery stores with my mom and spending hours finding daily essentials. Now, carrying those heavy bags after shopping was another hassle. Today, you don’t even have to step out of your home to get groceries, as they are delivered within an hour.
Delivery apps such as Blinkit and Zepto are some of the popular apps available today. Amazon has also introduced a new feature called Amazon Now. The unique thing about them is that they deliver products within 10 minutes, whether it’s one product or multiple.
Key Highlights:
● People use platforms such as Blinkit and Amazon Now to do their monthly grocery shopping. Whether it’s one item or multiple, they are delivered right at your doorstep.
● One major benefit of online grocery shopping is that there is no need to carry heavy bags.
● It makes it easy to get organic fruits and vegetables within 10 minutes.
Lower Traditional Brand Loyalty
One could only visit a limited number of shops before the rise of online shopping. This led to a limited exposure to newer brands. Therefore, it became common for people to stay loyal to one brand as it was very convenient for them. With the rise of online shopping, buyers have begun trusting products with positive ratings and better discounts. This includes seasonal sales, sign-up offers, and first-user coupon codes.
Key Highlights:
● Online stores are a great way for brands to gain exposure to a new audience.
● Customers will always favour products with high ratings and better discounts.
● Marketplaces such as Amazon have become a place to discover popular and upcoming brands.
Reliance on Social Media
When was the last time you looked up a review online before buying it? This shopping habit is becoming more common, especially when buying TVs, mobile phones, and laptops. Consumers these days seem to trust influencers on YouTube, Instagram, and other social platforms.
It can be really hard for people to keep track of seasonal sales from Flipkart, Myntra, and Amazon. Therefore, social media has become a great way to keep up with upcoming sales and discounts.
Key Highlights:
● You can find countless YouTubers who review laptops and give viewers a firsthand experience.
● It is better to watch an unboxing video if you are unsure about the product.
● Reduced attention due to social media has led to impulse shopping.
Ending Thoughts
Online shopping has made irreversible changes to consumers’ shopping behaviour. Customers today are always looking to get extra savings, no matter how small they might be. It has led to shopping platforms providing frequent sales, cashback promotions, and coupon codes. This is how it becomes a win-win situation: shoppers get more discounts, and brands make more money.
