How Villages and Cities Are Changing the Way India Shops – And How Your Opinion Matters

India is changing fast. From the way we shop to the products we use, nothing looks the same as it did a few years ago. A recent NielsenIQ study shows two big shifts:

1. Villages and small towns are buying daily essentials (like soaps, biscuits, and shampoos) much faster than big cities.

2. In cities, especially in South India, more people are buying groceries and other household items online instead of from shops.

Let’s break this down in a fun and easy way.

Villages Are Shopping More

For the longest time, we thought shopping growth only came from cities. However, small towns and villages are now purchasing twice as much as urban areas.

Why is this happening?

• More jobs and better income in villages.

• Shops and roads are improving, so it’s easier for products to reach rural areas.

• People are choosing branded goods instead of unbranded ones.

Surprised? Rural India isn’t just catching up — it’s leading the way.

Cities Are Going Digital

While villages are shopping more in stores, cities in South India are leading in online shopping. NielsenIQ says that people in the South are buying more groceries and daily-use products online than any other metro in India.

Why?

• People there are more comfortable with technology.

• It’s convenient — why step out when you can get everything delivered?

• Online shopping platforms are now trusted more than ever.

So the picture is clear: villages are powering offline shopping, and cities (especially in the South) are powering online shopping.

Why This Matters to You

Here’s the simple truth:

• The products you will see in shops or on apps tomorrow are shaped by what people buy and what they say today.

• Companies spend huge amounts of money trying to understand what Indians want.

• And your voice can make a difference.

How Your Opinion Shapes the Future