77% Indians Plan Higher Festive Spending In 2026, Down From 83% Last Year: Report

Festive shopping plans among Indian consumers are showing a shift in spending patterns this year. While the overall share of consumers planning to increase their budgets has fallen from last year, spending intent at the higher end has moved up.

About 77 per cent of Indians plan to increase their festive shopping budgets in 2026, compared with 83 per cent last year. The share planning to spend Rs 50,000 or more has risen by 2 percentage points, while there has been no change in the proportion planning to spend more than Rs 10,000, according to InMobi Advertising's annual report, titled The Marketer's Guide to India's Festive Season 2026.

Rs 50,000-Plus Spending Gains Ground

The higher spending bracket has attracted more consumers this year, even as the overall share planning larger festive budgets has declined. The report also found differences in spending plans between consumers in Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities.

Consumers in Tier-2 cities have a larger share in the Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000 spending category than consumers in Tier-1 cities. This mid-range segment has therefore seen stronger representation from shoppers in smaller cities.

Spending plans also differ between Android and iOS users. Around 22 per cent of Android users plan to spend between Rs 25,000 and Rs 50,000, compared with 15 per cent of iOS users.

At the Rs 50,000-plus level, Android and iOS users have an equal share of consumers planning to spend within the bracket.

Most Festive Shopping Planned Close To Celebrations

The timing of purchases is also concentrated in the period leading up to the festivals. Around 60 per cent of consumers plan to complete their festive shopping within one month before the celebrations.

Nearly 29 per cent of consumers plan to shop one week or less before the festivals begin. This means a substantial portion of festive purchases is expected to take place close to the start of the celebrations.

The report has also examined how consumers are using technology while deciding what to buy, with artificial intelligence forming part of the shopping process.

AI Becomes Part Of Festive Shopping

Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based tools have gained attention in areas such as product discovery and purchase decisions. Smart search suggestions have an interest level of 89 per cent, while virtual product try-ons have attracted interest from 81 per cent of consumers.

The range of products being considered for festive purchases also extends beyond apparel and footwear. These categories have purchase intent from 50 per cent of respondents, followed by jewellery at 40 per cent and groceries and daily essentials at 37 per cent.