India leads genAI use in shopping; 60% plan to increase spending in next six months

Pause: Indian consumers are entering 2026 with strong confidence, as 60 per cent plan to increase their spending over the next six months, alongside rapid adoption of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) for shopping, a report said on Monday.

According to a report by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), 60 per cent of Indian households expect higher spending in the coming six months, driven primarily by purchases of automobiles and mobile devices.

India leads the world in the use of GenAI for shopping. The report said 62 per cent of Indian consumers have used GenAI tools while shopping, with 64 per cent relying on them for brand and product decisions.

More than 60 per cent of Indian consumers remain optimistic about the economy, while only about one-third express concerns about rising unemployment or an economic slowdown. BCG noted that inflation remains a key driver of higher spending, with 69 per cent of respondents citing rising prices of both essential and non-essential goods.