All of this is shaping the country's consumer market in distinct ways, particularly accelerating the trend of "premiumisation" where brands drive growth by doubling down on expensive, upgraded products catering to the wealthy, rather than focusing on mass-market offerings.
This is evident in zooming sales of ultra-luxury gated housing and premium phones, even as their lower-end variants struggle. Affordable homes now constitute just 18% of India's overall market compared with 40% five years ago. Branded goods are also capturing a bigger share of the market. And the "experience economy" is booming, with expensive tickets for concerts of international artists like Coldplay and Ed Sheeran selling like hot cakes.
Why global stars like Coldplay and Ed Sheeran are hitting India
Companies that have adapted to these shifts have thrived, Sajith Pai, one of the report's authors, told the BBC. "Those who are too focused at the mass end or have a product mix that doesn't have exposure to the premium end have lost market share."
The report's findings bolster the long-held view that India's post-pandemic recovery has been K-shaped - where the rich have gotten richer, while the poor have lost purchasing power.
In fact, this has been a long-term structural trend that began even before the pandemic. India has been getting increasingly more unequal, with the top 10% of Indians now holding 57.7% of national income compared with 34% in 1990. The bottom half, meanwhile, have seen their share of national income reduce from 22.2% to 15%.
Related News
02 May, 2025
Father nicknamed ‘Big Dan’ shed 11 stone . . .
28 Apr, 2025
Liverpool has won the Premier League aga . . .
21 Jul, 2025
Tadhg Beirne: 'I felt the pressure. I’m . . .
28 Apr, 2025
Lidcombe to Leichhardt: Why Galvin never . . .
09 Jul, 2025
Olympic champion Femke Bol shares June h . . .
24 Mar, 2025
Μέχρι 28/3 τα τελικά σχόλια ΥΠΕΝ, ΡΑΕΚ, . . .
13 Feb, 2025
Victoria Beckham turns heads in her sign . . .
07 May, 2025
Whangārei social support charity Whare Ā . . .