Diwali 2026 saw consumers spend on a mix of traditional purchases such as gold and silver and discretionary items such as electronics, while digital payments and flexible payment options gained traction, according to data shared by companies across the retail and payments ecosystem.
Quick-commerce platform Instamart reported demand for gold and silver coins alongside festive essentials. Nearly two in three gold coins purchased on the platform featured floral designs, while Lakshmi-Ganesh designs accounted for 73% of silver coin purchases. Party-planning orders rose 162% year-on-year, while demand for snacks and munchies increased 42%. Assorted dry-fruit gift packs also recorded more than 100% growth.
Gold buying remained resilient despite higher prices.
Jewellery retailer C. Krishniah Chetty said the quantity of gold sold during the Diwali season was the third-highest in the past decade, even as prices were around 10% higher than a year ago. Natural diamond sales also recorded their second-highest quantity in eight years, according to the retailer. Silver sales, however, declined 55%.
Higher spending on electronics and big-ticket purchases
The festive period also saw consumers spending more on electronics and other higher-value products.
Cashback platform Hyyzo reported a 76% increase in average order value between September and the festive period, from ₹2,786 to ₹4,915. Mobiles, laptops and televisions together accounted for nearly half of festive spending on the platform. Television sales increased more than 18 times, while mobile and laptop sales grew over six times, the company said.
Hyyzo reported gross merchandise value (GMV) of more than ₹100 crore and over 1.9 lakh orders since August.
UPI transactions and flexible payments
Festive spending also translated into higher digital payment activity.
Prakash Sikaria, CEO and founder of super.money, said the platform recorded an approximately 14% increase in UPI transaction volumes and a 12% rise in average transaction value during the past week compared with the pre-festive period.
He also pointed to growing adoption of flexible payment options and interest-free instalments for higher-value purchases. The platform has also seen an encouraging response to digital gold, where purchases start at ₹10, he said.
What it means for consumers
The festive data points to continued interest in gold despite elevated prices, alongside higher spending on electronics and other discretionary purchases. It also highlights the growing role of digital payments and instalment options in consumer spending.
However, consumers should check the total cost of purchases made through EMI facilities, including processing fees and other applicable charges. Digital gold buyers should also examine transaction costs, storage arrangements and redemption conditions before investing.