Just 2% of India's online shoppers drive 60% of ecommerce GMV, forcing D2C brands to chase the next 350 Mn

Inc42 Datalabs report flags concentration risk in India's $165 Bn ecommerce market: 19 Mn power shoppers dominate spend while 350 Mn online buyers remain underpenetrated. D2C playbooks must pivot to Tier II/III, Gen Z, hybrid retail, community marketing and category expansion into groceries, medicines and home.

— Source publishedSat, 16 May, 2026, 15:44 IST·First seen Sat, 16 May, 2026, 15:47 IST·Source Inc42 · Buzz

What happened

Indian D2C Ecommerce · Inc42 Datalabs report finds 2% of India's online shoppers (19 Mn) drive 60% of ecommerce GMV. D2C brands face concentration risk and must

Key facts

  • $165 Bn ecommerce market
  • 958 Mn internet users
  • 2% power shoppers = 60% GMV
  • 350 Mn online shoppers
  • 19 Mn high-value buyers

Why this matters

Scout acquisition targets with proven Tier II/III distribution, vernacular community engines or adjacencies in groceries, medicines and home, since these are the scarce capabilities incumbents need to escape the 19 Mn power-shopper ceiling.

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