Online shoppers in India spend 7.5% more monthly than those who shop offline
TL;DR
- Households using e‑commerce spend 7.5% more each month
- Spending on services up 23.4% and durable goods up 24.5%
- Only 45.6% of households use online purchase or payment facilities
- Digital adoption varies sharply with income
- Groceries dominate online basket, fresh produce remains low
Indian households that use online shopping and payment platforms spend 7.5% more each month than those that do not, according to a study by SBI Research. The difference is larger for services and durable goods, with users spending 23.4% more on services and 24.5% more on durable goods. Less than half of Indian households have embraced online purchases and payments; 45.6% used online purchase or payment facilities for at least one consumption item, while 54.4% reported no such usage. The gap is especially wide across income groups, with only 25.3% of households in the bottom 20% consumption quintile using online platforms, compared to 69.5% among the top 20%. The study found that groceries make up the largest share of online purchases, followed by durable goods, while fresh produce remains low.
Why It Matters
The report shows that digital commerce is reshaping household spending patterns in India, with higher expenditure on services and durable goods among users of e‑commerce platforms. The income‑based gap in adoption highlights that online retail growth may widen economic disparities. For readers in the U.S. and Canada, the data illustrate how digital commerce trends in India could influence global supply chains and consumer behavior. The findings also underscore the importance of inclusive digital infrastructure to ensure broader access to online shopping benefits.
Oct 31, 2026 · Updated 10/31/2026, 11:49:33 AM · Reported with: Times of India Business
Sources (1)
NRI Bytes writes its own articles from the reporting below.
Times of India Business — Swipe, shop, repeat: Online buyers splash out 7.5% more than offline shoppersUp next · Business & Finance
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