New Delhi: Indian consumers are showing strong confidence going into 2026, with 60 per cent planning to increase household spending over the next six months, driven largely by purchases of automobiles and mobile devices, according to a new report by Boston Consulting Group.
The report said economic sentiment remains positive, with more than 60 per cent of consumers expressing optimism about the months ahead. Only about one third said they were concerned about risks such as rising unemployment or an economic slowdown.
India has also emerged as the global front runner in the use of generative artificial intelligence for shopping decisions. The study found that 62 per cent of Indian consumers have used GenAI tools while shopping, and 64 per cent rely on them for brand and product selection, placing India ahead of other major markets.
Inflation continues to influence spending behaviour, with 69 per cent of respondents pointing to rising prices of essential and non-essential items as a key factor shaping their purchase plans.
“Even as many global markets are seeing softening, Indian consumers continue to show confidence, with 60 per cent expecting to increase household spending over the next six months,” said Kanika Sanghi, Partner and Director at BCG.
Parul Bajaj, India Leader, Marketing, Sales and Pricing Practice at BCG, said brands need to rethink how they present information online. “Brands must think beyond SEO and do answer engine optimisation with structured, trustworthy and comparison-ready content,” Bajaj said.
The report noted that Indian consumers are less affected by global uncertainty compared to peers overseas. Only 17 per cent believe recent global conflicts or political developments could slow India’s growth, while the figure exceeds 60 per cent in markets such as the UK, France and Germany.
Sustainability is increasingly part of buying decisions, with nearly eight in 10 consumers considering climate change or environmental impact while shopping. However, only 9 to 15 per cent are willing to pay a premium for sustainable options. The study also highlighted brand loyalty, noting that while 57 per cent of consumers say they are open to trying new brands, 84 per cent ultimately choose familiar ones.
BI Bureau
