5 Big Ideas that will shape India’s retail landscape in 2025

India’s retail sector is undergoing rapid innovation.

After witnessing robust growth over the last two years, the quick commerce sector amped up its game this year by expanding into several new categories and gaining ground beyond metro cities. High-end products also saw an uptick in demand in 2024, driven by changing consumer preferences and the rise of the affluent class. 

But, what lies ahead in 2025?

From edible packaging to community-based cooperative retailing, we bring you five Big Ideas that will transform India’s retail landscape in 2025.

What do you think will shape the retail industry next year? Share your thoughts in the comments or publish a post, article or video on LinkedIn with #BigIdeas2025.

This year quick commerce didn’t just foray into multiple categories, it transformed the way we shop. But what’s next? Instant celebrations delivered right at your doorstep.

Yes, you read it right! Thanks to the magic of quick commerce delivery, you will now be able to order not just a cake for a birthday party but also get the whole event set-up ready with fairy-light, balloons, and flowers within just 10 mins. And that too from the comfort of your couch! 

The industry has seen remarkable growth over the last two years with sales jumping by over 280%. And, it’s no wonder that instant deliveries have become consumer favourites. 

“Quick commerce has brought about a seismic shift in how India consumes. This revolution stems from an ecosystem seamlessly blending speed, convenience, and innovation,” says @Nitin Seth, Vice Chairman at G.D. FOODS.

However, this convenience may not be free of challenges. Nitin Jain - Startup Sillionaire , co-founder at Blinc Media, says that riders’ wages and maintaining micro-warehouses will bring in more expenses. Additionally, building customer trust and high marketing cost due to less repeat order can also add up to challenges, he adds. 

On the other hand, right technologies like predictive AI and the right ecosystem and infrastructure will help the industry overcome these challenges, says Dr. Sanchit Misra💡 , Strategy & Transformation at DFM Foods Limited.

How will quick commerce further change in the coming year? Share your take here.

What if you step into a supermarket to buy your favourite snack only to realise that not just the snack but the packaging is edible as well?This can turn into reality very soon.

The global edible packaging market is projected to reach around $1.28bn by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 5.4%. In fact, in India the overall sustainable packaging industry is also expected to grow at an annual growth rate of 7.24%, between 2023 and 2028. 

While much of the innovation in this space has so far occurred behind the scenes, rising pressure on retailers to eliminate single-use plastics could make 2025 the year edible packaging finally hits supermarket shelves.

Edible packaging offers an innovative edge in a competitive market, says Shikhar Suri , founder at ShikharSuri.com. And this single differentiation can boost brand reputation.

With the right blend of strategic marketing and educational campaigns, supermarkets are well-positioned to embrace edible packaging as the next game-changer for sustainable shopping. Moreover, growing awareness about climate change and sustainability will also contribute to the adoption of edible packaging among Indian consumers. 

However, there are certain factors that require attention. “Logistics and delivery need careful consideration, particularly regarding product quality and preservation during transit," says Manasa Garemella , co-founder at kindlife.in. Challenges like cost, consumer acceptance, and regulatory hurdles must also be addressed for widespread adoption, she adds.

Meanwhile, Vani Kola , MD at Kalaari Capital, is still optimistic about this development. She believes in the long term, edible packaging has the potential to drastically reduce waste and lower the carbon footprint of the food industry. “There are a lot of factors to consider, but I think we will eventually get there,” she adds.

By: Aaron Toumazou and Divya Pathak

How will edible packaging impact consumer buying habits? Share your take here.

Is brick and mortar dead? Quite the opposite. In 2025, more brands will set their sights on creating physical experiences for consumers keen to touch and feel before they buy.

And this will take experiential retail to a new level. Enter: mobile pop-up stores.

Over the past few years, we’ve seen significant growth in India's retail industry. But why should brands care about mobile pop-up stores? “The answer is consumer experience,” says Mangesh Natha Shinde , CEO at WillstarMedia. Unlike online shopping where consumers can’t try out products, mobile pop-up stores allow consumers to experience the product and thereby build a connection with them, he says. 

These stores will also change how brands interact with consumers. Shinde believes that with their presence being limited to a particular place, it will help create ‘FOMO’ among consumers and that will also boost brand awareness.

“It’s also a way to personify your brand and tell your story and interact with your customers before you’re ready for a full offline roll-out,” says Simran Khara , founder at Koparo. The kind of real inputs that brands can get at mobile pop-ups might take weeks online, Khara adds.

In what ways will mobile pop-up stores benefit brands and consumers? Share your take here.

Consumer feedback is important for product innovation — this has been established. But it’s time to forget the old-school, time-consuming written reviews. 

In 2025, consumer feedback videos will take over, with shoppers sharing reviews through their journey of using a particular product — benefitting both brands and buyers.

How? Short-form videos have become an integral part of the daily life of consumers. It has become our go-to source for any insight — be it information or product reviews. 

In fact, nearly half of Indian consumers in the age group of 25-44 make purchase decisions based on video content, priming it to become the next big thing in shaping how consumers shop and how brands connect with their consumers. 

So, what will consumer feedback videos mean for brands? According to Vikas Chawla, co-founder at Social Beat, it will assist the brand’s product team to figure out what’s working and what’s not, thereby helping brands boost their marketing efforts. “These videos will also be helpful for brands to figure out the kind of creative experiments they want to run over the next few months,” he adds. 

Consumer feedback videos will also help build long-term trust and credibility for the brand, says Manisha Dokania an Independent Consultant. 

On the other hand, for consumers, these videos will connect them with buyers of similar interests, thereby fostering a sense of community building, she adds.

How will consumer feedback video impact purchase decisions of buyers? Share your take here.

Have a business idea in mind? Your community could be the right place to start. 

But wait, what does it even mean? It’s called community-based cooperative retailing, where the idea of co-owning a business is based on shared interests.

Nearly 77% of Indian small businesses recorded robust growth last year, surpassing 2019 levels, and in the coming year, they’re set to evolve further with the rise of community-based cooperative retailing.

This means that the idea of a “community” will also evolve. As Naiyya Saggi, Group Co-Founder, Good Glamm Group, puts it, “In the coming year, the way we imagine the communities of care that help us live our lives and make our choices will change drastically. Think of communities not just being people but communities of virtual agents that partner with us to make our lives better, easier and faster.”

Moreover, Gen Z shoppers are redefining the market and therefore, understanding them and authentically engaging with them is important for businesses. And there could be no better way to do so than community-driven cooperative retailing.

Bullish on the idea, Aishwarya Gupta, Deputy Vice President Marketing at Angel One, says, “The future of retail is all about authenticity, genuine connections, personalisation, and community values. And all of this is naturally delivered by cooperative business models.” 

He believes this model will redefine the future of retail by making it more community-driven, adaptable, and agile, making it a powerful way for small and local communities to work and thrive together.

How will cooperative retail models shape small businesses in India? Share your take here.

What trend will have the biggest impact on India's retail landscape? And why?#BigIdeas2025. Join the conversation with the hashtag #BigIdeas2025.

Reported by: Divya Pathak

Community Manager: Rakshit Ravindranathan

Graphics: Kyle Ranson-Walsh