35% of Shoppers Plan to Use AI for Shopping as Fashion Leads Spending Preferences

AI-powered shopping assistance is gaining popularity among urban consumers, with shoppers increasingly exploring artificial intelligence to compare products, evaluate prices and make better purchasing decisions. Fashion remains the leading spending category, while large online marketplaces continue to dominate shopping preferences.

Artificial intelligence is gradually changing the way consumers approach shopping, from discovering products to comparing prices and deciding when to make a purchase. According to figures cited in a newspaper report based on a YouGov survey, around 35% of shoppers are expected to use AI assistance for shopping-related activities, highlighting the growing role of technology in everyday consumer decisions.

The report also suggests that shopping habits vary significantly across product categories, purchase timelines and preferred shopping channels. While some consumers wait for festive sales to get better deals, others begin shopping weeks or even months before major occasions.

AI Is Becoming a Shopping Assistant

AI tools are emerging as a useful option for consumers who want to make more informed purchasing decisions. Shoppers can use AI-powered services to compare product specifications, explore alternatives, identify suitable price ranges and receive recommendations based on their requirements.

The newspaper report indicates that 35% of urban festive shoppers are interested in using AI to compare brands or products. This suggests that consumers are beginning to consider AI not only for information searches but also as a potential decision-making assistant.

Another 27% of respondents reportedly expressed interest in using AI while planning their budgets. Such tools may help shoppers organise their spending, compare available options and identify products that fit within their budgets.

However, the figures represent reported consumer intentions and preferences, rather than confirmation that all these shoppers already use AI regularly.

Fashion Leads Festive Shopping Budgets

Fashion and clothing are expected to receive the largest share of festive shopping expenditure, according to the figures in the report. Consumers often prioritise clothing and accessories during festivals, celebrations and family gatherings.

The spending preferences listed in the newspaper report are as follows:

• Clothing and fashion: 47%
• Groceries, food and sweets: 36%
• Jewellery: 27%
• Gifting: 20%
• Home décor and renovation: 19%
• Home appliances: 17%
• Electronics and gadgets: 17%
• Beauty and personal care: 16%

Fashion’s leading position indicates that clothing remains a major priority during festive shopping. Food and sweets also account for a substantial share of consumer interest, reflecting the importance of celebrations, family gatherings and traditional festivities.

Jewellery ranks third among the listed categories, while gifting and home improvement-related purchases also feature prominently in shoppers’ plans.

These percentages should be understood as the figures reported for each category; they may reflect overlapping consumer preferences rather than mutually exclusive shares of one total budget.

When Do Consumers Start Festive Shopping?

The report highlights different shopping timelines among consumers. Some shoppers prefer to wait for major festive sales, while others begin preparing well in advance.

According to the newspaper clipping:

• 33% of shoppers wait for festive sales before starting their purchases.
• 37% of shoppers begin shopping two to four weeks before a festival.
• 26% of shoppers start buying one to two months in advance.

These patterns point to different approaches to festive spending. Sale-focused shoppers may be looking for discounts and promotional offers, while early buyers may want more time to compare products, find preferred styles or avoid last-minute shopping pressure.

For retailers, these differences make the timing of promotions particularly important. Early campaigns may appeal to shoppers who plan ahead, while sale-period offers can attract consumers who are more price-conscious or prefer to wait for discounts.

Online Marketplaces Remain the Preferred Shopping Channel

Online marketplaces appear to be the leading choice among shoppers when it comes to where they prefer to make purchases.

The report lists the following shopping-channel preferences:

• Large online marketplaces: 39%
• A combination of online and offline shopping: 19%
• Physical or offline stores: 16%
• Local shops: 9%
• Quick-commerce apps: 8%
• Brand websites or apps: 6%

The figures suggest that large e-commerce platforms have a strong position in consumers’ shopping plans. Their broad product selection, convenience, customer reviews and promotional offers can make them attractive options for shoppers preparing for festivals.

At the same time, the preference for combining online and offline shopping shows that physical retail continues to play a role. Some consumers may research products online before visiting a store, while others may inspect items in person before making a final decision.

Quick-commerce services and brand-owned websites also feature in the results, although their reported preference levels are lower than those of large marketplaces.

Different Spending Plans Across Urban Consumer Groups

The newspaper clipping also points to differences in spending intentions among urban shoppers. It mentions that 19% of consumers plan to spend more than they did in the previous year, while 27% intend to reduce their spending.

This contrast suggests that festive shopping may not follow the same pattern for every household. Some consumers may be prepared to increase expenditure on clothing, gifts or home improvements, while others may prioritise essential purchases and look for ways to control costs.

Budget-conscious consumers may place greater emphasis on price comparisons, discounts and value-for-money products. This is also where AI-assisted shopping tools could become useful, potentially helping consumers review alternatives before making a purchase.

The clipping’s visible text does not provide a complete breakdown of all spending groups, so the figures should not be treated as a comprehensive picture of urban consumer spending.

What This Means for Retailers and E-Commerce Businesses

The combination of AI interest, festive purchasing plans and strong marketplace preferences offers several potential opportunities for retailers.

1. Smarter product recommendations

Retailers may use AI-powered recommendation tools to help customers discover relevant products based on their needs and preferences.

2. Better price comparisons

Consumers increasingly have access to tools that can compare product specifications and prices, making transparent pricing and competitive offers more important.

3. Earlier festive campaigns

With a significant share of shoppers reportedly beginning purchases weeks before festivals, businesses may benefit from planning promotions well ahead of peak shopping periods.

4. Stronger online shopping experiences

Large marketplaces remain prominent in the reported preferences. Retailers can respond by improving product descriptions, images, customer support and mobile shopping experiences.

5. Budget-friendly offers

Consumers planning to reduce their spending may respond more positively to practical discounts, bundled offers and products that deliver clear value.

These are potential business implications of the reported preferences, rather than confirmed outcomes of the survey.

The Road Ahead for AI-Powered Shopping

AI is creating new possibilities for how consumers search for products and make purchasing decisions. From personalised recommendations to budget planning and product comparisons, these tools could make the shopping process more convenient.

Nevertheless, consumers should verify product details, prices, seller credibility and return policies before completing a purchase. AI recommendations can be useful, but they should not replace independent checks, particularly when comparing expensive products or unfamiliar sellers.

The figures cited in the newspaper report suggest that festive shopping is evolving across several dimensions: consumers are planning purchases at different times, prioritising fashion and food, relying heavily on online marketplaces and showing interest in AI-assisted decisions.

As AI tools become more accessible, the combination of digital assistance, price awareness and established shopping habits could play an increasingly important role in India’s retail landscape.

Source note: This article is based on the statistics visible in the newspaper clipping provided. The original survey’s full methodology, sample size, fieldwork dates and complete question wording were not available in the image. The percentages are therefore attributed to the report and should be verified against the original YouGov survey before being presented as independently confirmed findings.