Flipkart records over 287 million sessions during early access, with non-metro markets contributing around 60 per cent of demand, while quick-commerce orders surge 3.5 times
Flipkart recorded 6.3 million concurrent users during the opening phase of its 13th edition of The Big Billion Days (TBBD) festive sale, signalling strong consumer demand as India’s online festive shopping season gathers pace.
According to the ecommerce platform, more than six times as many Indians shopped on Flipkart in the first hour of the sale compared with a regular hour, while the number of new customers rose 34 per cent. The early-access period, which began at midnight on October 8 for eligible members, generated more than 287 million sessions.
Mobiles, electronics, large appliances, beauty, lifestyle and home products featured among the key categories attracting shoppers during the opening phase.
Non-Metro Markets Drive Festive Demand
Consumers beyond the major metropolitan centres played a significant role in the opening-day performance. Nearly one in two visits during the first hour came from Tier 3 towns and smaller markets, while non-metro customers accounted for approximately 60 per cent of demand.
Flipkart identified Sardulgarh, Panskura, Sheikhpura and Kishanganj among the fastest-growing markets at the start of the sale, underlining the expanding reach of e-commerce across smaller Indian towns.
The company said affordability measures were helping drive purchases, particularly in the mobile category. One in four customers opted for product exchange, while one in three chose no-cost equated monthly instalments (EMIs).
Entry-level 5G smartphones, offered at prices comparable with last year, also recorded strong demand as consumers sought value during the festive season.
Appliances, Tablets And Beauty Record Growth
Large appliances registered 30 per cent year-on-year growth in the first hour, with air conditioners, refrigerators and washing machines attracting strong demand. Tablet sales rose 73 per cent, reflecting consumer interest in personal technology upgrades.
The beauty category grew 42 per cent year on year during the opening hour, driven by men’s grooming and self-care products. At peak, Flipkart sold more than 1,600 men’s perfume units per minute, according to the company.
The trends indicate that festive purchases are extending beyond traditional gifting and household essentials to include personal care and lifestyle products.
Flipkart Minutes Orders Rise 3.5 Times
Flipkart Minutes, the company’s quick-commerce service, recorded a 3.5-fold increase in order volumes compared with regular days during the first hour of the sale. New customers on the service increased 11-fold.
Demand extended beyond everyday essentials to premium electronics, grooming products and wearables, with Tier 2 and smaller cities emerging as important growth markets.
In one instance during early access, an iPhone 17 was delivered to a customer in New Delhi in 3.4 minutes through Flipkart Minutes. Other popular purchases included air fryers, laptops and external hard drives.
The performance highlights the growing role of rapid delivery in festive shopping, as consumers increasingly seek convenience alongside discounts and financing options.
Video Commerce And Voice Search Gain Traction
Flipkart also reported strong engagement with content-led shopping during early access. More than 1,000 hours of live commerce and over 500,000 short-form videos attracted 12.7 million users to its video and live-shopping experiences.
Voice search adoption was particularly strong beyond the metros, with around 64 per cent of users coming from Tier 2 and smaller markets. Lifestyle and makeup products were among the most-searched categories.
Gen Z consumers also showed growing interest in self-care and personal style. Beauty sales among younger shoppers rose 48 per cent, while watches grew 42 per cent. Sneakers, perfumes, skincare, creatine and jeans were among the most-searched products across fashion and personal care.
Sellers And MSMEs See Early Growth
The festive sale also generated momentum for sellers on the platform. On the early-access day, 51 per cent of transacting sellers recorded twice their regular-day growth, according to Flipkart.
Sellers in Tier 2 and smaller markets, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), recorded 2.9 times growth. Bhiwandi, Panipat, Tirupur and Hisar were among the locations leading the increase.
The early performance of The Big Billion Days 2026 points to the growing contribution of smaller cities, value-conscious shoppers and quick-commerce services to India’s digital retail market. However, the opening-day figures reflect the company’s reported performance and do not establish the overall growth rate for the entire festive season.
