Indian festive spending shifts: fewer budgets rise, but high-end spenders increase
A new InMobi Advertising survey shows the share of shoppers planning larger festive budgets has fallen, while the proportion willing to spend over Rs 50,000 rose by two points.
InMobi Advertising’s annual report, based on a survey of 1,110 male and female smartphone users between August 7 and 11, 2026, indicates that fewer Indians intend to increase their festive season budgets overall. The share of shoppers willing to spend over Rs 10,000 stayed flat, but the top-spending bracket above Rs 50,000 rose by two percentage points. Consumers in tier-2 cities now outnumber those in tier-1 within the Rs 10,000-25,000 range.
The research also highlights growing reliance on AI for product discovery, with 89% using smart search suggestions and 81% trying virtual product try-ons; millennials lead Gen Z by ten points in embracing these tools. Traditional festive purchases still focus on apparel and footwear (50%), but jewelry (40%) and grocery essentials (37%) are gaining notable interest.
