Global programmatic media partner MiQ has released its Festive Shopper Insights 2025 Report, highlighting key trends in India’s festive shopping behaviour and strategies brands must adopt to win this season.
Based on a survey of 4,800 festive shoppers across India, the study identifies four major trends shaping the 2025 festive shopping season:
Rise of ₹20,000+ Confident Spenders
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43% of consumers plan purchases above ₹20,000, signalling confidence-driven buying.
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Spending is driven by deep discounts, limited-edition launches, cashback offers, and influencer-driven FOMO.
Brand Discovery Boom – Year of the Challenger
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45% of shoppers are open to exploring new brands, creating opportunities for both D2C challengers and established players.
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Tools like digital sampling, influencer reviews, AR try-ons, and viral campaigns are influencing purchase decisions more than ever.
Media Gold Rush – Early-Bird Advantage
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Advertisers are launching campaigns 30+ days ahead of Diwali, sparking a competition for attention.
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Programmatic video, shoppable social, and rich media dominate ad spends, even as CPMs rise across channels.
Regional Pulse Driving Diverse Festive Aspirations
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North & Central India: Preference for automobiles, gadgets, and appliances.
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South & East India: Demand for two-wheelers, tractors, and jewellery despite high gold prices.
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Urban India: Softer early categories, but gold remains an investment-driven favourite.
The study shows that 25–34-year-old high-income shoppers from Tier I and II cities are the core audience, with strong discretionary spending and a tendency to start their purchase journey six weeks before Diwali. They are digitally savvy, relying heavily on YouTube and social platforms for discovery and deal hunting.
Consumer motivations:
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34% prioritise discounts and cashback
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25% influenced by flash deals, exclusives, and influencer recommendations
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Gender behaviour: Men dominate pre-festive research, while women increase engagement closer to Diwali.
MiQ Insights
Varun Mohan, Chief Commercial Officer, India at MiQ, said:
“This festive season is no longer just about shopping, it’s about cultural moments amplified by media. Our data indicates a new kind of Indian shopper who is confident, experimental, and digitally led. For brands, the mandate is clear – launch early, speak authentically across regions, and embrace a full-funnel approach.”
With CPMs rising and shoppers ready to splurge, brands must adopt smarter omnichannel strategies. The democratization of brand discovery also allows challenger brands to capture market share through influencer partnerships, engaging storytelling, and immersive activations.
About MiQ
MiQ is a global programmatic media partner that helps brands and agencies deliver smarter, faster, and more effective advertising outcomes. Powered by MiQ Sigma, its AI-driven platform provides deep insights into audience behaviour, enabling advertisers to optimize campaigns across channels.
Since 2010, MiQ has expanded to 22 offices globally, earning recognition in Insider’s Hottest AdTech Companies, Ad Age’s Best Places to Work, and AdExchanger’s Programmatic Power Players list every year since 2020.
View Festive Shopper Insights : MiQ Festive Shopper Insights 2025
By : Arushi Agarwal
