Black Friday 2025 triggers record spending surge as India embraces global shopping culture

Black Friday 2025 has triggered one of the strongest spending waves in India’s retail calendar, with early estimates indicating double-digit year-on-year growth across e-commerce platforms and key categories including premium electronics, fashion, beauty and lifestyle. What began as an imported retail trend has now firmly emerged as India’s second-biggest shopping moment after Diwali — reshaping consumer behaviour and expanding the country’s seasonal buying window.

The sale period, running between November 21 and November 30 depending on the platform, has seen unprecedented participation from major marketplaces and category specialists including Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Nykaa, Tata CLiQ, Ajio and Croma. Industry executives say demand is being led by digitally savvy shoppers across metros as well as Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, with consumers increasingly planning purchases around promotional cycles and stacking offers, exchange benefits and bank deals to maximise value.

Electronics have emerged as the breakout category this year. Croma’s aggressive pricing strategy — combining exchange bonuses, student offers and cashback — has pushed marquee products such as the MacBook Air M4 to an effective price of around ₹55,911, while the iPhone 17 has dropped to approximately ₹45,900, marking one of its steepest price corrections since launch. Samsung has responded with premium bundles including complimentary soundbars with its Vision AI televisions, banking on the continued rise in large-screen home entertainment. Samsung’s Vision AI TV Black Friday campaign further sweetened the category with free soundbars worth up to ₹92,990, up to 20% cashback, an additional 10% cashback for Samsung Axis Bank Credit Card users, zero down payment and flexible EMI options.

Amazon India says its second edition of Black Friday reflects a maturing shopper mindset. “Building on last year’s response, we have worked closely with brands, sellers and banking partners to curate top deals and new launches across categories,” said Saurabh Srivastava, Vice President at Amazon India. “This year, AI-powered features like Rufus, Lens AI and AI Review Highlights are making the shopping journey more intuitive and personalised.”

Fashion and beauty continue to lead in volume, driven by deep discounting, influencer discovery and higher participation from smaller cities. Myntra reported a nearly 25% rise in demand versus last year, attributing the momentum to wider assortments and expanding creator partnerships. “Black Friday has quickly emerged as one of the biggest H2 shopping moments in India,” a Myntra spokesperson said, noting that Tier-2 and Tier-3 shoppers are playing a decisive role.

Beauty platform Nykaa — positioning its Pink Friday sale as one of India’s largest events in the category — also reported strong traction across premium and masstige brands. This year’s Pink Friday campaign offered discounts of up to 60% across makeup, skincare, haircare, fragrances and other segments.

A parallel shift this year is the extension of Black Friday demand into categories such as luxury, jewellery, conscious consumption and kidswear. Ricky Vasandani, CEO and co-founder of Solitario, said the sale has tapped into an evolving premium buyer mindset. “Customers want more, but they also want meaning behind every purchase. Our Buy-One-Get-One-Free offer on lab-grown diamonds has resonated exceptionally well with consumers seeking conscious luxury.”

Children’s apparel brand Ed-a-Mamma echoed similar sentiment, noting that young parents are prioritising responsible choices without compromising value. The brand expects double-digit growth during the sale period.

Fast-moving consumer goods and quick-commerce platforms are also witnessing increased purchase frequency, particularly across snacks, home essentials, pantry staples and seasonal categories. According to Akash Agrawalla, co-founder of ZOFF Foods, Black Friday participants are more informed and intentional than in previous years. “Electronics are growing through ticket size; FMCG through frequency. This season will reward brands with clean offers, healthy inventories and seamless fulfilment,” he said.

Tech commentator and digital strategist Purusharth Malik believes the shift is no longer seasonal. “Black Friday has evolved into India’s second big sale moment after Diwali. This year, the sharpest traction will be in smartphones, televisions, laptops and wearables, with expected growth of 20–30% over last year,” he said.

With platforms continuing flash deals into payday weekend, industry observers expect momentum to hold through the final days of the event. If the trajectory continues, Black Friday may cement itself not just as a retail season but as a core revenue driver and cultural shopping milestone.

With India’s retail ecosystem now integrating global sale formats into domestic behaviour, Black Friday’s rise signals a broader shift: consumers are no longer waiting for a reason to shop — they are waiting for the right price, timing and platform.