The festive season sale across the country is about to end. The increasing trend of online shopping in the last few years has made e-commerce companies successful in the festive season. Industry data showed that e-commerce platforms recorded total sales of nearly Rs 1 lakh crore during the month-long festive season that ended last week, more than a fifth more than last year. During this period, maximum sales of smartphones, beauty products and branded goods have taken place.
Sales increased by 23 percent
Demand from non-metro consumers and increased purchasing of luxury brands have contributed to increased business during the festive season. According to e-commerce consultancy Datum Intelligence, festive sales have grown by over 23% this year, continuing the steady pattern of last year (Rs 81,000 crore) and 2022 (Rs 69,800 crore).
There was a lot of shopping in the first week
According to the data, more than half of the demand came in the first week of the festive season itself, with goods worth Rs 55,000 crore ($6.5 billion) sold during Flipkart’s Big Billion Days and Amazon’s Great Indian Festival, which began on September 26. Some sellers on Flipkart achieved 40-50% year-on-year growth this season, while Amazon added more than 85% of its customers from non-metro cities. “There is increased demand from Tier II-III and beyond, which is visible across all categories including smartphones, television sets, appliances and fashion,” Satish Meena, consultant, Datum Intelligence, told ET.
These items sold the most
According to industry officials, during this period people have spent the most money on smartphones, grocery, beauty and personal wellness. Smartphones emerged as the leading category this season, with online shopping accounting for nearly 65% of all smartphone sales during the period. Data from Walmart-owned Flipkart and Amazon also show smartphones as the top earning category.
Top luxury brands were also preferred
Consumer demand for top luxury brands was the highlight of this season. Demand for premium large appliances grew by 30% compared to last year, while fashion and beauty premium portfolios in categories such as watches, perfumes, K-beauty, jewellery, handbags grew by 400% compared to business-as-usual (BAU). An increase of more than % was observed. Many officials said that due to increase in fashion purchases, sales are also increasing.
Meesho’s earnings also increased
SoftBank-backed Meesho held its mega blockbuster sale from September 27 to October 6, which saw an increase of over 40% in total orders compared to last year. 105% YoY growth in the home & kitchen category, 60% growth in beauty & personal care, and 75% growth in baby & kids essentials were milestones in the market.
