WhatsApp emerges as D2C acquisition channel; 83% of festive orders from first-time buyers

GoKwik data shows WhatsApp moving beyond retention into acquisition for 1,800+ Indian D2C brands. AI-led automated journeys deliver 11.1% CTR vs 2.6% for broadcasts, with 2.25x GMV growth and 73.4% bot-resolved queries. Fashion and electronics lead conversion gains heading into Oct-Dec festive quarter.

— Source publishedThu, 18 Jun, 2026, 12:30 IST·First seen Thu, 18 Jun, 2026, 12:44 IST·Source ET Small Business

What happened

GoKwik report shows WhatsApp becoming a customer-acquisition channel for Indian D2C brands, with 83% of festive-quarter orders from first-time buyers. AI-driven

Key facts

  • 83% first-time buyers
  • 2.25x GMV growth
  • 26 billion messages
  • 1,800+ D2C brands
  • 11.1% vs 2.6% CTR
  • 1.5% vs 0.4% electronics conversion
  • 73.4% bot resolution

Why this matters

GoKwik's 1,800-brand footprint and the WhatsApp acquisition wedge make conversational commerce enablers (chatbot AI, checkout, CRM-on-WhatsApp) a hot consolidation lane heading into the Oct-Dec quarter.