Business · Companies · 10 hrs ago
India’s festive online sales start 7–10% below last year
Online festive sales in India were estimated at ₹29,800–30,900 crore from October 7 to 10.
That was 7–10% lower than sales during the same four days last year.
Higher smartphone prices and the lack of last year’s boost from a GST change contributed to the slower start.
Smartphones are expected to make up 30% of festive sales this year, down from 35% last year.
Some platforms still reported strong demand in categories such as fashion, appliances and home entertainment.
Overall sales for the month are expected to grow 25–30%, with spending spread over more weeks and product types.
The first week is expected to account for a smaller share of sales than last year, leaving more purchases for the run-up to Diwali on November 8.
India’s online festive sales reached an estimated ₹29,800-30,900 crore from October 7 to 10, down 7-10% from the same four days last year.
Datum Intelligence attributed the softer opening to higher smartphone prices and the absence of a GST-led demand boost.
The firm expects festive spending to grow overall, with purchases spread across more categories and a longer period.
Mobile phones are expected to make up 30% of festive sales, down from 35% last year.
Quick commerce is expected to account for 16% of festive sales, up from 12% last year.
- Who
- Indian online shoppers and e-commerce platforms, with estimates from research firm Datum Intelligence.
- What
- Online festive sales began 7-10% below the same period last year.
- When
- October 7-10; the estimates were published on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- Higher smartphone prices and the absence of a GST-led demand boost contributed to the softer opening.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Online festive sales in India were estimated at ₹29,800-30,900 crore, down 7-10% from the corresponding four-day period last year.
Hindu BusinessLine published the sales estimates and analysis from Datum Intelligence.
Diwali is expected to follow the run-up period in which a larger share of festive spending may take place.
- Estimated sales
- ₹29,800-30,900 crore
- Sales period
- October 7-10
- Year-on-year change
- Down 7-10%
- Mobile share of festive sales
- 30% expected, compared with 35% last year
- Quick commerce share
- 16% expected, compared with 12% last year
- First-week share
- 46% expected, compared with 48% in 2025
What people are saying
What happened last year was not going to repeat this year because last year there was a GST 2.0 and everyone was buying, especially retail items, to get that benefit out of it
The sales overall for the month are expected to grow 25-30 per cent, but first week is — don’t expect the same as last year because there are so many things missing compared to last year
Frankly, smartphone apart from the price, there’s no buzz around the models also. As a customer, you don’t see updating your phone again and again
Most of the brands have increased the price without actually putting a thought behind the product
Sources
Related news
Mesa School of Business raises Rs 110 crore in co-led funding round
IMF raises India’s 2026 growth forecast to 7%
Tonbo Imaging sets ₹665–700 per share price band for ₹852 crore IPO
Bank of India reports Rs 575 crore exposure to Future Enterprises as fraud
RBI restricts overseas rupee derivatives and expands 20% cash reserve rule
Indian stocks may open higher after Monday’s sharp decline
Listed Indian fund managers gain despite market volatility
HD Fire Protect plans ₹712 crore IPO through promoter share sale
India VIX rises as traders expect bigger market swings
Indian stocks fall as Saudi attacks push oil prices higher
Titan tests design-led strategy for lab-grown diamond brand beYon
