India’s identity deeply vests in its diversity. The country is home to vast landscapes, rich cultures, and varied regions, each of these factors greatly shaping the mindset and lifestyle of its people. These factors contribute to the study and insight identification for businesses and marketers to understand their audiences and accordingly shape their business model. In the last few years, with technology at the forefront, businesses have expanded their avenues to reach their consumers online which has given birth to three E-Commerce trends noted as – Quick Commerce, Trend First Commerce and Hyper Value Commerce.
According to a report by Flipkart and BAIN & Company, the Indian E-retail market surpassed the USA to become the second-largest consumer base. Multiple factors contributed to this surge as people are heavily resorting to online platforms for purchase. The factors accredited for this change include:
- Major lifestyle shifts post the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Cheaper internet rates
- Wider product choices on e-commerce platforms
- Access to products at lower prices
- Easy and Quick purchase options
- Platforms are accessible to geographically secluded and remote areas
This year too, the Indian retail market and economic sphere are all set to witness a considerable shift due to emerging trends in the E-retail sphere. The three trends are often labelled as “disruptions” for causing significant shifts in the Indian retail sphere. These disruptions are drastically changing and reshaping the retail space by playing with perceptions and ultimately influencing buying decisions. In this blog, we will understand these trends (disruptions) and take a look at the brands who are adopting them and the key factors behind their effectiveness.
2025 E-commerce Trends Reshaping the Business and Shopping Landscape:
#1 Quick Commerce
This e-commerce business module has seen a light of popularity in recent times. In simpler terms, quick commerce is a marketing and selling tool used by businesses to deliver products and services in less than 30 minutes. This trend highlights super-fast delivery as their selling point and proposition.
Brands highlight this business module via advertisements and establish their USP. Mostly, this shopping experience is more suitable for smaller goods and inexpensive goods such as groceries. The success of this trend relies heavily on logistics, availability of delivery resources, and efficient app or order placement platform. This makes this strategy conducive to incurring profits and gain momentum primarily in the Tier 1 cities.
Zepto and Swiggy Insta Mart are two brands that have leveraged this trend to the optimum.
(Credits to the creator of the content)
(Credits to the creator of the content)
What Makes This Trend Effective:
- Taps on the psychology of instant gratification.
- Leverages the concept of comfort, saving time, energy and at times even fuel.
#2 Trend First Commerce
This trend or business model has been adapted mainly by fashion brands by introducing trendy fashion at affordable prices. Brands rope in influencers and leverage the use of social media to promote their apparel or products. This trend and business module has been crafted to entice and grab the attention of younger audiences, mainly Genz’s.
The younger generation heavily relies on testimonials and feedback that they come across on social media. Social media also sets a platform for virality and Genz’s are quick to notice and adapt new trends. This speeds up the marketing tactic of the brand and secures profits in minimal time. Additionally, this module sets Tier 2 cities as their target market, thus reaching a wider set of audiences.
Shein and Myntra are brands who utilise this tactic.
(Credits to the creator of the content)
What Makes This Trend Effective:
- Taps on the psychology of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). This strategy plays out well especially on younger and social media savvy minds.
- The trend encapsulates the concept of inclusion which forms a high resonance factor especially amongst the youth. Since it targets youngsters across all geographies it makes it accessible to a larger demographic audience and in turn elevates the brand’s image as one which values the needs of all.
- Pick upon already popular trends to gain a faster momentum. For instance, Shein features clothing line inspired from East Asian fashion, which is a rage mainly due to the popularity of Korean dramas.
#3 Hyper Value Commerce
This business module introduces a wide range of products online under one hub by setting an affordable price range. There may be an overlap in the concept of trend first commerce and hyper value commerce, however, a fundamental difference sets them apart. Trend first commerce focuses on introducing a trend which has the potential to pick up pace immediately. On the contrary hyper value commerce extensively highlights the affordability quotient.
This business module targets lower income groups and price sensitive consumers primarily in the Tier 2 cities. This trend does not cater to only one segment but rather diversifies to other segments such as beauty, apparel, electronics and luggage.
Meesho can be sited as the example for adapting hyper value commerce as their business model.
(Credits to the creator of the content)
What Makes This Trend Effective:
- The brands who adopt this module stress the strategy of offering low rates at the same good or decent quality.
- Plays on the factors and psychology that expensive, attractive goods can be owned at a much lower rate.
Conclusion
The classification of Indian consumers does not fall under one bracket. Marketers and businesses delve deep into understanding the psyche of their consumers based on age, region, gender, preferences and lifestyle. These variables shift every few kilometers making localized insights crucial. The Indian E-retail sphere has specifically aligned its strategies which target the Genz’s and late millennials who are more receptive to digital sources of information. Thus, combining the variables with an effective medium of communication to drive successful traction.
We at Impulse Digital – a digital marketing agency in Thane, have catered to several brands and shaped various inspirational digital campaigns specific to the identified target audience. If you are looking to elevate your digital presence for your brand presence reach out to us: https://www.theimpulsedigital.com/contact-us
