Meesho’s Rakhi orders rise 36% as non-metros drive festive demand

Meesho reported 38% year-on-year GMV growth during the Rakhi shopping season, with non-metros contributing 73% of orders. Its Rakhi-product seller base grew 72%, signalling broader small-business participation beyond major cities.

— FiledSun, 30 Aug, 2026, 17:37 IST·First seen Sun, 30 Aug, 2026, 17:37 IST·Source ET Retail

What happened

Meesho reported 36% Rakhi-order and 38% GMV growth in 2026, driven by non-metro demand. Tier-3 and Tier-4 cities led growth, while Rakhi sellers rose 72%,

Key facts

  • Rakhi orders grew 36% year-on-year
  • GMV grew 38% year-on-year
  • Non-metros contributed 73% of orders
  • Dadri order growth was approximately 105% year-on-year
  • Rakhi-product seller count grew 72% year-on-year
  • Prepaid payments represented 58% of Rakhi orders

Why this matters

The rapid growth in non-metro demand and a 72% increase in Rakhi-product sellers make regional logistics, vernacular commerce and MSME-enablement partners attractive targets.

What to watch

  • Diwali-season GMV and order growth versus the Rakhi baseline.
  • Non-metro order share, repeat-purchase rates and average order value.
  • Seller activation versus active-seller retention, cancellation rates and catalog-quality complaints.
  • Delivery lead times, return rates and logistics costs in tier-2/3 and rural pin codes.
  • Promotional intensity and festive shipping promises from Flipkart, Amazon and Shopsy.
  • Evidence of improving contribution margins or rising incentive spend despite GMV growth.
  • Increase festive inventory depth in gifting, ethnic wear, home décor, beauty and low-ticket electronics for Diwali.
  • Expand regional-language discovery, creator-led commerce and localized payment options to convert non-metro cohorts.
  • Add seller onboarding, quality controls and fulfillment support in tier-2/3 sourcing clusters.
  • Secure last-mile capacity and tighten delivery/return management before peak festive volumes.
  • Use Rakhi cohort data to target repeat purchases, cross-sell categories and higher basket-size offers.