Swiggy Instamart’s stats show India’s 2024 obsession with convenience, from Rs 8.3 lakh gold to midnight chip cravings
2024 was the year India embraced convenience like never before, with Swiggy Instamart leading the charge in delivering everything from milk to mangoes—and even gold coins—all in 10 minutes. Whether it was an extraordinary Rs 8.3 lakh spent on gold this Dhanteras, 307 roses ordered per minute on Valentine’s Day, or the midnight cravings of chips ordered in incognito mode, India’s obsession with speed and convenience reached new heights this year.
Big Spenders and Trendy Purchases
Delhi and Dehradun emerged as the biggest spenders, each dropping over Rs 20 lakh on Swiggy Instamart this year. The most popular items in their carts? A hearty mix of everyday essentials like atta, milk, and oil—clearly preparing for a kitchen takeover. Across the nation, top purchases included milk, curd, dosa batter, chips, and soft drinks, with milk making an appearance in 1 in every 15 orders.
Pet lovers also made their presence felt, with one Mumbai shopper spending over Rs 15 lakh on pet supplies, particularly dog and cat food. Meanwhile, a tech-savvy user in Chennai splurged Rs 1.25 lakh on gadgets, including smartwatches, hair straighteners, and more.
And then there was the mango mania: A single user from Hyderabad spent Rs 35,000 on mangoes during May, proving that the country’s love for the tropical fruit knows no bounds.
When and What India Wants Delivered in 10 Minutes
It turns out, India’s order preferences vary drastically by time of day. Early risers between 4 AM and 7 AM sought out essentials like milk, vegetables, and eggs to kickstart their day. But come 10 PM, the late-night munchies took over: ice cream, chips, and cold drinks dominated the orders from 10 PM to 4 AM.
Special needs also spiked at specific times—sanitary pads topped the charts at 8-9 PM, while pain relief products saw a surge in November, coinciding with the change of seasons.
Festive Frenzy: Memorable Purchases
Festivals brought on a flurry of extravagant buys. During Dhanteras, an Amdavadi went big, spending Rs 8.3 lakh on gold coins. Meanwhile, the Diwali shopping frenzy saw India splurge Rs 45 lakh on brooms, signaling the nation’s commitment to festive cleaning rituals. Delhi also threw in a surprising order of Rs 4.6 lakh for poker chips.
Swiggy Instamart delivered nearly 8 lakh rakhis on Raksha Bandhan, with a Mumbai customer ordering an impressive 31 in one go. Valentine’s Day was equally romantic, with 307 roses ordered per minute, making love—and flowers—Instamart’s most popular products of the day.
Regional Favorites and Fun Stats
Bengaluru emerged as the dominant city for puja essentials and party supplies. Alongside Mumbai, it fiercely vied for the title of party capital, ordering 1.8 times more wine and shot glasses than other cities. Bengaluru also led the charge in hygiene, purchasing an astounding 272,731 toothbrushes in 2024.
Mumbai, however, took the crown for tonic water, splurging Rs 8.2 lakh in a single day. Goa also made waves with a Rs 35,000 purchase on the fizzy drink.
When it came to rain gear, Mumbai led the umbrella and raincoat purchases, particularly in October, when orders for umbrellas shot up by 83% compared to August.
Secret Shopping and Fast Deliveries
As night fell, India’s cart behavior turned stealthy. Between 10 and 11 PM, it wasn’t just chips and Kurkure; some secretive shoppers also opted for flavored condoms. These stealth purchases were most common in Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.
In a display of Swiggy Instamart’s unmatched efficiency, the fastest delivery of the year took place in Kochi, with a 180-meter order of nendran bananas and red amaranthus arriving in just 89 seconds.
The International Perspective
Swiggy Instamart’s reach extended beyond Indian borders, with Canada leading the charge for international orders to India, followed by the United States, Kuwait, and Singapore. These shoppers, mostly ordering everyday essentials like milk, dosa batter, and water, showcased how global the quick commerce trend has become.
As India wraps up 2024, Swiggy Instamart’s data paints a vivid picture of a nation that values speed, convenience, and an eclectic mix of products. From luxury purchases to midnight snack runs, quick commerce has woven itself into the fabric of daily life, making it clear that when it comes to shopping in India—there’s no time like the present.
