Instamart records a 162 per cent year-on-year surge in party-planning orders, while floral gold coins, dry-fruit gift packs and dinner sets emerge as festive favourites
From gold and silver coins to traditional sweets, party snacks and home essentials, India’s Diwali shopping preferences reflected a mix of tradition and convenience, according to festive shopping trends released by quick commerce platform Instamart.
The platform’s data revealed that the first gold coin order was placed at 12:00:30 am on November 6 from Hyderabad for a floral-design 24-karat gold coin. The first order containing a silver coin followed four seconds later from Bengaluru.
Floral designs accounted for nearly two-thirds of all gold coins purchased, making them the most popular choice among buyers, followed by Lakshmi and Ganesh designs. In the silver coin category, Lakshmi-Ganesh designs dominated, accounting for 73 per cent of demand. The evening rush for precious metals peaked at 6:38 pm.
Party Planning Orders Surge 162%
Festive shopping extended beyond traditional purchases, with party-planning orders registering a 162 per cent year-on-year increase. Demand for munchies and snacks also rose 42 per cent, reflecting increased preparations for Diwali gatherings and celebrations.
On Diwali, November 8, the busiest shopping hour on Instamart was between 11 am and 12 pm, with 11:18 am recording the highest order activity.
The platform also reported growing festive demand beyond metropolitan markets, with Jaipur, Madurai, Guwahati, Thrissur and Kollam emerging as leading cities for festive purchases.
Diet Coke emerged as the most popular non-grocery item on Diwali eve, highlighting the range of products consumers added to their festive shopping baskets.
Kaju Katli Leads Festive Sweet Demand
Traditional Indian sweets continued to feature prominently in Diwali shopping. Kaju Katli topped Instamart’s mithai charts, followed by Motichoor Laddoo, Besan Laddoo, Mysore Pak, Soan Papdi, Peda and Gulab Jamun.
Assorted dry-fruit gift packs recorded more than 100 per cent growth in demand, indicating increased preference for festive gifting options.
Shopping trends also extended to categories such as clothing, jewellery and hair accessories, electronics and appliances, and kitchen and dining products. Dinner sets emerged as the most popular gifting item on the platform.
Mumbai User Places Rs 1.11 Lakh Festive Order
Instamart’s biggest festive shopping basket came from a Mumbai user, who spent Rs 1.11 lakh on gold coins featuring Lakshmi-Ganesh and lotus designs.
Other high-value orders included a Rs 52,215 basket from Hyderabad featuring a 2g floral-design gold coin and a 100g silver bar.
A Bengaluru user placed an order worth Rs 32,298, combining a 2g Lakshmi gold coin with olive oil and other essentials. Meanwhile, a Gurgaon user spent Rs 30,855 on a basket featuring a 1g Lakshmi gold coin and a children’s lunch box.
A Delhi user placed a Rs 29,907 order for a 1g floral-design gold coin and LED curtain lights, while a Chennai user spent Rs 26,770 on a 1g Lakshmi gold coin and a 50g silver bar.
In Noida, a user spent Rs 25,313 on an air purifier and a cordless vacuum cleaner, reflecting demand for home improvement products during the festive season.
The trends highlight how quick commerce platforms are increasingly catering to diverse festive shopping requirements, combining traditional purchases such as precious metals and mithai with everyday essentials, gifting products and home appliances.
