As India gears up for the festive season, Flipkart has launched the first half of its ‘#FlipTrends’ report (January to June 2024), which provides detailed analysis of the shopping habits of over 500 million registered users. Released. This report takes an in-depth look at consumer preferences across different regions and highlights notable trends in the retail industry.
According to the report, “vacation wear” was one of the most searched keywords in the first half of 2024, especially in the summer. Women favored items such as whimsical bows, rosette tops, chic bandeau tops, dresses, comfy mules, 80s-inspired scrunchies, and gelato pastel colors. Men leaned toward casual wear such as round-neck T-shirts, open-knit and textured shirts, zipper polo shirts, and parachute pants. Comfort wear, resort wear such as printed coordination sets, and refreshing summer shirts were popular. Additionally, men’s grooming products also saw a significant increase compared to 2023.
Western and ethnic wear for women were the top choices in cities such as Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and New Delhi, while saris were particularly popular in Agartala, Bhagalpur, Medinipur, Muzaffarpur and Puri. It was. Demand for “indoors” is also significant, with growth expected to be nearly 24% year-on-year in 2024.
Despite the popularity of modern fusion cuisine, traditional flavors are making a strong comeback. The report shows that sales of pickles and chutneys increased by almost 90 per cent year-on-year compared to 2023. ‘Food and Nutrition’ was the second most popular category among customers in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Dehradun, Gorakhpur and Guwahati.
As temperatures rise, consumers prioritize products that seek freshness and comfort. Compared to the previous year, demand for electric fans increased by 53%, purchases of sunscreen increased by 40%, and demand for coolers increased by 64%. Cities like Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Gorakhpur, Hyderabad, Kolkata and New Delhi saw an increase in demand for personal care essentials such as hair oils, face washes, shampoos and deodorants.
As the monsoon season approaches, shoppers stocked up on essential items such as umbrellas, raincoats and mosquito repellents. Beauty and skin care products remain a top priority, with makeup kits and fragrances gaining popularity in the lead-up to monsoon.
Smartwatches continue to be popular among consumers, meeting the needs of fitness enthusiasts, fashion enthusiasts, and professionals on the go. Demand for smart bands and TWS earphones also increased significantly.
In Tier III and above markets, 72% of consumers chose mobile protection, highlighting the importance of protecting their devices. Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Guwahati were the top tier 3 cities preferring these items, while Agartala, Medinipur and Muzaffarpur mainly opted for rugged mobile phones and plain mobile protective cases.
Sporting events and festivals have had a huge impact on shopping habits. Searches for tennis kits and sports equipment, especially men’s jerseys, have skyrocketed. Traditional costumes and puja essentials witnessed strong demand during festivals such as Navratri, Ugadi and Eid-ul-Fitr, with sales of products such as sindoor, havan chowki and diyas surging.
Ravi Vijayaraghavan, SVP, Analytics and Data Science, Flipkart, commented: At Flipkart, we are pleased to announce the FlipTrends H1 2024 report, which not only reflects interesting shopping trends but also showcases growth opportunities across e-commerce. Our commitment to customer centricity remains steadfast as we strive to anticipate and meet the evolving demands of our diverse customer base. As we move into the festive mood, we remain focused on promoting trust, convenience and affordability, ensuring Flipkart remains the ultimate destination for your evolving shopping needs. ”
The #FlipTrends findings highlight how millions of shoppers across metros and Tier III and above regions continue to choose Flipkart as their preferred shopping destination in the retail industry.
