Megatrends in India
Megatrends in India
Megatrends in India
September 2022
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Scope
This report is part of a series of four highly-visual reports covering the 39 markets surveyed in This Megatrends report highlights long-term
the annual Voice of the Consumer: Lifestyles Survey. trends resulting from shifts in consumer
values and behaviour. It provides a summary
of each of Euromonitor International’s eight
Draws together insights from across the Lifestyles Survey and
Lifestyles Country Report Series
© Euromonitor International
MEGATRENDS IN INDIA 44
© Euromonitor International
MEGATRENDS IN INDIA 55
Megatrends framework
Megatrends reports provide
insight into the eight
megatrends identified as
being the most important
cross-industry trends that
businesses should be
focused on during the next
10-15 years. Megatrend
analysis helps companies
understand these important
market trends, enabling
them to assess future
impact and proactively
build relevant forward-
thinking strategies. This
report provides an overview
of how these most
influential megatrends are
impacting India.
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MEGATRENDS IN INDIA 66
Innovative and disruptive companies that understand the drivers shaping the world and the resulting megatrends, use this to execute
change from renovation where a company improves on previous ideas to increase market share, through to innovation where a company
grows an entire category and ultimately disruption, creating new markets where there were none before. Case studies in this report
highlight examples of companies’ responses to megatrends.
© Euromonitor International
Digital living
Consumers use a variety of internet-connected devices in order to experience and interact with digital content and access services. This
is set to grow, with penetration of both the devices themselves and connected infrastructure spreading across countries and generations
of consumers. This expansion in the breadth and depth of connectivity will continue to change the way consumers live, work, shop and
play, supplying consumers with the benefits of convenience, simplicity and knowledge across their digital lives
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MEGATRENDS IN INDIA 88
Digital living
Although many people living in rural areas still have limited internet access, urban middle class consumers are highly mobile-
1 centric. Usage of digital devices and apps increased significantly during the pandemic and is likely to be further boosted by the
rollout of 5G services in 13 cities in the second half of 2022. Our survey found that as many as 37% of Indian respondents have a
smartwatch and 26% a smart appliance (compared to 25% and 20% of their global counterparts, respectively).
India’s urban consumers use mobile apps for an increasing variety of tasks, including communication, personal finance,
2 navigation and ordering items and services. On at least a weekly basis, a whopping 91% of respondents (compared to 81%
globally) use a messaging app, 38% (compared to 19% globally) order a ride sharing service, and more than half (53%) order
food and drink on their phones for takeaway or home delivery.
The use of banking apps and e-payment solutions has also become more popular among urban consumers since the start of the
3 pandemic. As many as two thirds (66%) of respondents now use a mobile banking service at least weekly (up from 61% in
2021), while 65% (compared to just 43% globally) say they make in-store mobile payments at least weekly - up from 59% in
2021. Furthermore, 46% use a smartphone to compare prices on while in-store.
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I actively manage data sharing and privacy settings 29% 44% 8% 17%
I feel comfortable sharing my personal data with government institutions 25% 34% 12% 5% 23%
Targeted ads based on my online activity are an invasion of privacy 24% 34% 10% 28%
I share my data in order to receive personalised offers 21% 38% 12% 6% 23%
I freely share personal information online 20% 24% 24% 12% 19%
I feel comfortable sharing my personal data with private companies 20% 28% 19% 10% 23%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Brand/company website
India Global
Source: Euromonitor Voice of the Consumer: Lifestyles Survey 2022
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Experience more
Our survey shows that as many as 78% of Indian consumers think it is important to spend money on experiences, compared to
1 just 58% of their global counterparts, while 69% would rather spend money on experiences than things. Given that family units
often include the extended family, Indians enjoy family-orientated experiences: 42% of respondents (compared to 33% globally)
say they prioritise time with parents, while 24% (compared to 15% globally) choose family-friendly travel as a travel preference.
Film, music, shopping, sporting events and eating out are all popular activities. Post-pandemic, 67% of Indians (compared to
2 57% globally) socialise with friends in person at least monthly, while 57% go shopping for leisure at least monthly. In terms of
spending priorities over the next year, 40% of respondents say they will spend more on travel and holidays, 37% on visits to
cinemas and concerts and 35% on restaurants. This compares to just 32%, 26% and 28% of their global counterparts,
respectively.
Although almost three quarters (74%) of Indians say they prefer living in the real world to virtual online experiences, the
3 pandemic caused many consumers to embrace in-home and mobile entertainment. 65% of respondents - including 76% of
Millennials - say they value online virtual experiences, while on a weekly basis 69% of respondents use their phone to play
games, 65% to stream music and 88% to watch TV/video.
Spend on experiences
Take a virtual class/attend a lecture online 27% 21% 19% 18% 15%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
At least weekly 1-3 times a month Once every few months Rarely Never
Safety, nature and relaxation are the top three travel features
Top 10 most important travel destination features
n = 1,002; % of respondents
Safe destination
Relaxation
Family-orientated/child-friendly
Shopping
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Generation Z Millennials Generation X Baby Boomers
More of my everyday activities will shift to be in-person More of my everyday activities will shift to online platforms
Source: Euromonitor Voice of the Consumer: Lifestyles Survey 2022
© Euromonitor International
Middle class reset
As the middle classes in developed markets struggle to maintain the economic position they enjoyed for the last half a century, they
have adopted many cautious habits to maximise value for money and stretch their limited resources. These include prioritising access
over ownership, bargain hunting and trading down in order to trade up. Elsewhere in emerging and developing economies, even as the
middle class continues to expand and enjoy rising incomes, their priorities and habits are not dissimilar to those of their counterparts in
developed markets as consumers increasingly shift away from wasteful, conspicuous consumption towards more selective and conscious
spending
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MEGATRENDS IN INDIA 23
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1 for a range of products and services. As many as two thirds (66%) of Indian respondents in our survey (including 75% of Gen X)
say it is important for others to think they are doing well, while 52% (compared to just 35% globally) say they enjoy spending
their money rather than save it.
A 7% depreciation in the Indian rupee against the US dollar in the first half of 2022 has rapidly pushed up prices of imported
2 food and energy products for consumers. Nevertheless, middle class consumers remain confident that things will improve: 59%
of respondents say they will be better off financially in future; and 47% (including 60% of Millennials) say they intend to increase
their overall purchases of products and services over the next year - up from 41% in 2021.
At the same time, middle class consumers have maintained a thrifty mindset. 50% expect to save money in the next year, and
3 40% (including 48% of Gen Z) say they will increase their visits to discount stores. Renting is considered a cost-effective way of
maintaining middle class lifestyles; 57% of Indians (compared to just 38% globally) say they rent items rather than buy at least
annually. In addition, 55% (including 67% of Millennials) buy used or second-hand items at least annually.
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Baby Boomers are the most likely to buy fewer but higher quality things
Top five lifestyle and shopping preferences Lifestyle and shopping preferences by generation
n = 1,002; % of respondents n = 1,002; % of respondents
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
India Global Generation Z Millennials Generation X Baby Boomers
Sharing and swapping are more popular than buying used items
Frequency of repurposing, sharing, donating and renting items
n = 1,002; % of respondents
Donate used items to a charity or non-profit 15% 17% 22% 26% 13% 7%
Sell used or second-hand items 15% 17% 13% 12% 21% 23%
Rent items, rather than buy 7% 20% 17% 12% 16% 27%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
At least weekly 1-3 times a month Once every few months 1-2 times a year Rarely Never
Source: Euromonitor Voice of the Consumer: Lifestyles Survey 2022
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India Global
Source: Euromonitor Voice of the Consumer: Lifestyles Survey 2022
© Euromonitor International
Premiumisation
Slowing volume growth has led brands to seek new ways to drive value expansion. Concentration of wealth and income has created new
demand for high-end offerings. Consumers everywhere demand more choices and more tiers - from discount and mass to “masstige,”
luxury, and beyond - allowing them to spend more on what matters most. Global mass brands are giving way to niche brands and
personal “brand portfolios”, as consumers at all income levels seek products, services, and experiences which reflect their personal
identity
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Premiumisation
India’s growing middle class consumer base is driving the market for premium products and services. As many as 41% of our
1 survey respondents (compared to 27% of their global counterparts) say they regularly seek strong or well-known brands, and
more than half (55%) believe you can tell a lot about a person from the car they drive. Convenience is also an attractive feature,
with 59% of consumers willing to spend money to save time.
Indian consumers are also highly individualistic and enjoy custom products. A whopping 77% of respondents (compared to 57%
2 globally) say they extensively research the products and services they consume, and 34% (compared to just 21% globally) seek
niche brands that are hard-to-find or unique. 65% seek curated experiences tailored to their tastes. Subscription services
became more popular during the pandemic, and 48% (up from 42% in last year’s survey) say they use such services in order to
be able to try a variety of new products.
Quality is a major consideration when shopping: 41% of Indians (compared to a global average of 32%) say they are willing to
3 pay more for quality when buying clothing and 49% would pay more for quality in household essentials. When buying food and
drink, 48% (compared to 37% globally) are influenced by superior taste, 41% by a well-known brand and 46% by 100% organic
claims.
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
India Global Generation Z Millennials Generation X Baby Boomers
Source: Euromonitor Voice of the Consumer: Lifestyles Survey 2022
Note: Combination of question response types: Agree and Strongly Agree and Selected
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India Global
Source: Euromonitor Voice of the Consumer: Lifestyles Survey 2022
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Environmentally/ethically
Superior taste 32% 29% Perfect fit 27%
conscious
Performance claims (e.g. stain
Strong or well-known brand 30% 27% Strong or well-known brand 25%
removing, gentle)
Environmentally conscious or High performance (e.g. in
29% All natural 26% 22%
eco-friendly sportswear)
Environmentally conscious or
Speciality or new variety 20% Multi-functional 24% 20%
eco-friendly
Locally sourced or
18% Recyclable packaging 21% Design or style suited to me 19%
manufactured locally
Sustainably produced or
16% Sustainably produced 16% All natural 17%
raised
Supports local communities 16% Ingredient formulation 14% All organic 16%
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1 globally) say it is important to experience cultures other than their own. International brands have continued to invest in this
market thanks to its growing population of young, middle class shoppers with an appetite for Western brands. Despite the
increasing stress on global supply chains as a result of the pandemic and rising inflation, 77% of consumers say that
international products are more readily available in India than they were five years ago.
There is something of an age divide when it comes to preference for foreign versus local products. When buying clothing and
2 accessories, 28% of Millennials (but just 12% of Baby Boomers) consider international brands to be an influential product
feature. Cross-border e-commerce remains a strong area of growth, driven by the rise of social media and growth in
international travel. 47% of respondents (compared to just 33% globally) say they buy products from international retailers that
are not available in India.
At the same time, consumers - particularly older ones - have been more supportive of local industry since the start of the
3 pandemic. 41% of Baby Boomers (although only 22% of Gen Z) say they try to purchase locally-sourced products and services,
while 34% of all Indians prefer to shop in locally-owned stores. Almost a third (32%) of Gen X has a preference for food and
drink that supports local communities, compared to just 21% of their global peers.
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Generation Z Millennials Generation X Baby Boomers
I try to shop in locally-owned stores I try to purchase locally-sourced products and services
Source: Euromonitor Voice of the Consumer: Lifestyles Survey 2022
© Euromonitor International
Shopping reinvented
How we buy goods and services is constantly in flux as economic and technological realities shift. Consumers are now making purchases
across multiple platforms and want to engage with merchants at any time and anywhere. The ideal customer journey weaves a brand
into the entire experience, providing value before, during and after the purchase, converting a transaction into a relationship
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Shopping reinvented
India continues to have a strong mall culture, with families gathering in centres to enjoy shopping, eating, cinema and other
1 activities. In-store shopping has picked up again now that the worst of the pandemic is over and life has returned to relative
normality. Our survey found that 42% of respondents (much higher than the global average of 33%) like to visit malls, while as
many as 39% (compared to just 21% globally) pick their travel destinations based on the quality of shopping there.
The pandemic has nevertheless prompted a notable shift towards online shopping. As a mobile-first nation, much of this is
2 carried out on portable devices. The percentage of respondents saying they buy an item or service using their phones at least
weekly has risen with each annual survey, from 45% in 2020 to 46% in 2021 and 49% in 2022. Social commerce is also on the
rise among the younger generations; 38% of Millennials now say they shop on social media platforms.
Indians seek unique shopping experiences, both online and offline; 37% of respondents (compared to 24% globally) say they
3 look for personalised and tailored shopping experiences. 62% of Millennials use a subscription service, their main motives being
convenience (63%) and simply to enjoy the products or brands (49%). The use of e-payment methods has increased strongly,
with 65% of consumers making in-store mobile payments at least weekly.
Pet food/products
Second-hand products
Tickets
Travel
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Sustainable living
With India highly susceptible to the negative impacts of global warming, our survey found that more than three quarters (78%)
1 of respondents are worried about climate change, while a whopping 81% (compared to 66% globally) say they try to have a
positive impact on the environment through their daily actions. More specifically, 54% are concerned with reducing plastics use,
53% want to reduce food waste and 45% try to conserve water.
These concerns, along with growing social media usage, are bringing about profound changes in buying behaviour: 41% of
2 respondents (compared to a global average of 30%) say they buy sustainable-produced items and 38% say buying eco- or
ethically-conscious products makes them feel good. 30% of Millennials (compared to just 15% of their global counterparts) now
say they prefer to rent items rather than own them.
Political or social values are also playing a greater role in purchasing decisions. Just over a third (34%) of consumers, compared
3 to 22% globally, say they buy products and services from purpose-driven brands or companies, while 34% boycott brands that
do not share their political beliefs. As many as 31% of Gen Z (compared to 21% of their global peers) are influenced by food that
is certified as fair trade.
I feel I can make a difference to the world through my choices and actions
India Global
Source: Euromonitor Voice of the Consumer: Lifestyles Survey 2022
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Recycle items
Vote in elections
Buy from brands that support social and political issues that are aligned with my values
Recyclable
Paper
Biodegradable
Bio-based/plant-based
Wellness
Indian consumers have become more aware of the need to eat healthier, more nutritious foods in recent years. As many as 70%
1 of our survey respondents (compared to 56% globally) now say they look for healthy ingredients in food and beverages. 51%
(compared to a global average of 42%) actively monitor what they eat in order to manage their weight, and 49% say they closely
read the nutritional labels of food and drinks.
Consumers are taking a more holistic approach to health in general, especially in light of the increase in incidents of anxiety and
2 depression that arose during the pandemic. Yoga and meditation remain two of the key ways for reducing stress in India,
practised by 76% and 73% of consumers, respectively, (compared to just 44% and 54% of their global counterparts). 59% of
respondents take health supplements at least weekly.
Physical activity is also being stepped up as consumers are realising the benefits of exercise for the mind and body. 79%
3 (compared to a global average of 64%) say they exercise at least weekly, with running and cycling especially popular (65% and
59% do these on at least a weekly basis, respectively). A substantial 82% of respondents say they take an online or virtual
fitness class at least weekly, and 49% (compared to 33% globally) use an app to track their health or fitness.
Fur Ball Story addresses canine wellness needs with a new Ayurvedic range
Characteristic
▪ In April 2022, pet care start-up Fur Ball Story began marketing a new
range of Ayurvedic solutions for pets under the brand name Ayurpets.
The medicines are formulated with a wide range of plants and herbs and
are indicated for the treatment of common health conditions, including
overheating, fever and pain, ticks, and maintenance of tooth and gum
health.
Context
▪ Higher incomes and a shift towards working from home during the
pandemic spurred a boom in the adoption and purchase of pets. Fur Ball
Story has been dedicated to the wellbeing of pets since 2016, offering
pet therapy and a range of other products and services. In July 2022,
leading personal care company Emami acquired a 30% stake in Fur Ball
Story to enable it to scale up its new Ayurpets range.
Consequence
▪ The pet care segment in India is set to see further rapid growth. In line
with the pet humanisation trend, India’s “pet parents” will apply human
health and wellness trends to their pet care habits - including holistic
solutions - in order to support the healthy development of their animals.
Spending on pet healthcare increased by 104% over 2017-2022
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0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
India Global
Generation Z Millennials Generation X Baby Boomers
Source: Euromonitor Voice of the Consumer: Lifestyles Survey 2022
Note: *At least weekly
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Yoga
Meditation
Massage
Herbal remedies
Sleep aids
Gina Westbrook
Director of Consumer Trends
gina_westbrook@euromonitor.com
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MEGATRENDS IN INDIA
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