Mumbai: Hansa Research, India’s foremost and largest consumer insights company, has unveiled its Festive Insights 2025, capturing evolving consumer sentiment, shopping patterns, and brand expectations this festive season. The analysis highlights how Indian consumers are approaching the season with optimism and higher budgets, while also making more conscious, hybrid, and experience-led choices.
Consumers Celebrate with Optimism and Higher Spending
Festivals remain central to Indian culture, and consumer enthusiasm continues to grow. According to the study, 82% of consumers consider the festive period a very important time for household spending, while 73% say they are very excited about the festive season.
Nearly 87% of respondents reported they will spend significantly more this year, with one in three planning to spend over 50% more than usual. The key triggers behind this surge include cultural traditions, accessible retailers, aspirational lifestyles, and the growing influence of digital creators.
Clicks, Carts, and Hybrid Journeys
Digital commerce continues to dominate, with 80% of consumers planning to shop online, but offline remains relevant with 51% shopping at retail outlets and 49% at local neighborhood stores. Interestingly, one in four consumers (25%) are adopting hybrid journeys, blending online discovery with offline experiences for greater convenience and variety.
What’s Filling India’s Festive Carts
The wishlist blends tradition and modernity—fashion & apparel (64%) and sweets & snacks (52%) lead purchases, while electronics, gadgets, and home décor (40% each) also feature prominently. Importantly, 35% of consumers plan to spend 25–50% more, while 29% will spend 50% more than a regular month.
Gifting Goes Experiential and Conscious
Festive gifting is evolving beyond material products, with 51% choosing experiences over items. Meanwhile, 42% prefer local and handmade gifts, reflecting rising eco-consciousness and community support. Personal care and customized gifts (29%) also indicate a shift toward more thoughtful, meaningful gifting.
Advertising, Storytelling and Differentiation
Discounts, bundles, and offers remain highly effective (78% of consumers), but 55% also seek emotionally engaging campaigns, while 40% value cause-led storytelling. However, differentiation remains a challenge—only 19.5% of consumers recalled a memorable festive campaign from last year.
Sustainability and Cultural Relevance Take Center Stage
Eco-consciousness has become mainstream, with 78% of consumers opting for sustainable choices such as eco-friendly packaging, decorations, and gift wrapping. Equally, 66% prefer brands that align campaigns with festive themes, signaling the dual need for cultural authenticity and sustainability.
Commenting on the findings, Praveen Nijhara, CEO, Hansa Research, said, “Festivals in India are not only cultural celebrations but powerful catalysts for economic growth. The analysis underlines that consumers may be aware of some of the financial realities, but enthusiasm for celebrating is significantly high considering the recent revisions in the GST rates. Categories like electronics, fashion, and home décor will be big winners; and consumers will be taking digital-first discovery journeys that are reshaping their considerations and purchase journeys. For brands, there is a real opportunity to create a connection with consumers in a way that balances emotional with value-led offers to attract consumers during this high-stakes time of year.”
With optimism, digital-first journeys, and purpose-driven gifting defining the season, Hansa Research Festive Insights 2025 signals that India’s festive spending continues to be a strong cultural and economic driver—powered by hybrid shopping, conscious choices, and emotionally rich consumer experiences.
