Meesho’s Rakhi orders rise 36% as non-metro India drives 73% of demand

Meesho said Rakhi-season GMV grew 38% year on year, with Tier-3 and Tier-4 markets leading demand. Rakhi-product sellers rose 72%, Dadri recorded 105% growth and prepaid payments accounted for 58% of orders.

— FiledSun, 30 Aug, 2026, 11:21 IST·First seen Sun, 30 Aug, 2026, 11:20 IST·Source ET Retail

What happened

Meesho reported strong Rakhi-season growth, led by non-metro demand and expanding small-seller participation. Tier-3 and Tier-4 markets accelerated fastest,

Key facts

  • Rakhi orders grew 36% year-on-year
  • GMV grew 38% year-on-year
  • Non-metro India contributed 73% of orders
  • Dadri recorded 105% year-on-year growth
  • Rakhi-product sellers increased 72% year-on-year
  • Prepaid payments represented 58% of Rakhi orders

Why this matters

Meesho’s 73% non-metro demand mix and expanding seller base reinforce the strategic value of logistics, payments and local-language commerce partnerships targeting India’s smaller cities.

What to watch

  • Whether Rakhi customer cohorts return for Onam, Navratri and Diwali purchases.
  • Prepaid-order share, COD cancellations, return-to-origin rates and delivery SLA performance in non-metro markets.
  • GMV growth versus order growth, indicating whether average order values are rising alongside volume.
  • Seller retention after the festival and growth in sponsored listings or other marketplace monetization.
  • Competitive festive campaigns and shipping subsidies from Amazon, Flipkart and Shopsy.
  • Expand regional-language Rakhi-to-Diwali recommendation campaigns and repeat-purchase coupons in Tier-3 and Tier-4 cities.
  • Prioritize logistics capacity, pickup coverage and delivery-date accuracy in fast-growing clusters such as Dadri.
  • Use the higher prepaid base to promote UPI-linked offers, reduce COD exposure and improve conversion on higher-value festive baskets.
  • Accelerate onboarding of local festive, apparel, gifting and home-decor sellers while tightening quality and return controls.