E-Commerce to drive India’s $1 trillion digital opportunity by 2030: report

E-Commerce to drive India’s $1 trillion digital opportunity by 2030: report

India’s online commerce sector, which stood at $30 billion in 2020, is projected to grow tenfold to $300 billion by 2030, playing a pivotal role in shaping the country’s $1 trillion digital economy, according to a new report released on Thursday.

The report by Bessemer Venture Partners highlights that online commerce is no longer a niche sector catering to a select few but has evolved into a dominant force within India’s retail ecosystem, serving an expanding and diverse consumer base.

“India presents a $1 trillion digital opportunity. The emergence of multiple consumer marketplaces, platforms, and new-age brands over the past decade reflects the growing aspirations of a rising India. This makes us exceptionally optimistic about the potential for many more consumer-focused ventures to emerge,” said Anant Vidur Puri, Partner at Bessemer Venture Partners.

According to the report, a “tailwind trifecta”—comprising rising internet penetration, evolving demographics, and supportive policy reforms—has laid the foundation for this growth. Going forward, the continued evolution of commerce marketplaces, content platforms, and consumer behavior will drive the next wave of innovation and opportunity.

Quick Commerce: A New Retail Frontier
India’s booming online commerce landscape has recently seen the rise of quick commerce (q-commerce), reshaping consumer expectations around delivery speed and convenience. Platforms like BigBasket, Blinkit, Swiggy, and Zepto are leading the charge, validating the demand for ultra-fast delivery models.

The report also points to the emergence of verticalised q-commerce, with startups such as Snabbit, Swish, and Slikk targeting niche consumer needs, further diversifying the sector.

D2C Brands and the Rise of Aspirational Consumers
India’s direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands are increasingly serving a mass-premium audience—consumers seeking high-quality, affordably priced, and innovative products. These brands are capitalizing on rising demand for goods that align with modern lifestyles and preferences.

Content, Microtransactions, and Monetisation Trends
The report also underscores a “content revolution” in India, driven by growing demand for entertainment, education, and gaming content. With shorter attention spans and a wide range of accessible content across languages, genres, and price points, user engagement is surging.

Short-form video platforms, in particular, have seen 3.6X growth in daily active users over the past five years, competing directly with mainstream digital platforms.

Monetisation models are also shifting. The rise of UPI-based microtransactions, including virtual tipping and autopay subscriptions, is enabling new revenue streams for content platforms. This segment is expected to reach $1.5 billion by 2029, marking a significant shift from ad-based models to more diversified income strategies.

Wellness and Health-Driven Consumption on the Rise
Spending on organic food, protein supplements, fitness gadgets, preventive healthcare, and wellness services is on the rise. Health-focused food and beverage (F&B) consumption has increased from 11% to 16% of total F&B spending, with brands quickly adapting to this evolving demand, the report noted.