More people looking for AI’s help while shopping this festive:75% trust AI shopping recommendations, 3 in 5 plan to spend over ₹10,000

This festive season, most consumers are prepared to spend more than they did last year. However, shopping decisions are now being made with the help of AI tools closer to the last minute. This is forcing brands to change their strategies quickly. According to a report by marketing company InMobi, 62% of buyers start shopping one month before the festivals, while the number of shoppers who shop one week or less before the festival has increased by 5 percentage points compared with last year. This is shrinking the overall shopping window and forcing brands to run personalised campaigns in time. Spending: 77% of consumers have increased their festive budget

The picture also looks strong in terms of spending this year. According to the report, only 4% of shoppers said they would spend less. For 96%, the budget is either the same or higher. Around 77% of consumers have increased their festive budget compared with 2025, and three out of every five people plan to spend more than ₹10,000. Shopping in smaller cities is 33% higher than in bigger cities People in small and mid-sized cities are expected to shop more. In these cities, 35% of people plan to spend between ₹10,000 and ₹25,000, compared with more than 33% in Tier-1 cities such as Mumbai and Delhi. Fashion (51%) remains the largest category, followed by jewellery (40%) and groceries/everyday essentials (37%). Trend: Trust in brands is a bigger factor than discounts in shopping Interestingly, this year, trust in strong brands will have a greater impact on shopping than discounts or offers. According to the report, 27% of consumers consider a trusted brand the biggest factor, while only 22% of those surveyed prioritised discounts and festive offers. AI’s role in shopping is growing rapidly The festive shopping season is expected to see higher consumer spending, with shoppers willing to increase their budgets. At the same time, the buying window is becoming shorter as more people make purchase decisions closer to the festivals. AI is also emerging as an important part of the shopping journey, from search and recommendations to virtual trials. For brands, this means responding faster while building trust and offering more personalised shopping experiences.