Titled “Consumer Trends IGNITEing Growth and Governance,” the report examines how AI-led transformation, connected commerce ecosystems and a rapidly evolving policy environment are reshaping India’s FMCG, retail and e-commerce sectors. It highlights that businesses will increasingly need to combine technology-driven innovation, resilient operations and trust-led governance to remain competitive in the years ahead.

Commenting on the findings, Anand Ramanathan, Partner & Consumer Industry Leader, Deloitte India, said, “India’s consumer economy is expected to approach US$1.9 trillion by 2030, opening up substantial opportunities for businesses that can respond to rapidly evolving consumer expectations and changing market dynamics. Growth will increasingly be shaped by how effectively organisations use AI, build resilient operations, participate in connected commerce ecosystems and translate consumer insights into differentiated experiences. At the same time, regulatory predictability, digital trust and Ease of Doing Business will remain critical to supporting innovation and investment. Looking ahead, the convergence of technology, consumer choice and governance will continue to reshape how businesses operate, compete and create value across India’s FMCG, retail and e-commerce sectors.”

The report notes that Indian consumers are becoming more informed, digitally connected and health-conscious, with purchase decisions increasingly influenced by transparency, product quality and personalised experiences. It adds that AI-powered recommendations, creator ecosystems and digital platforms are playing a growing role in how consumers discover, evaluate and purchase products.

According to the study, several structural trends are redefining the consumer landscape, including resilient supply chains, AI-driven business operations, integrated and instant commerce ecosystems, sustainability initiatives and the global expansion of Indian consumer brands.

The report also examines the evolving regulatory environment, covering developments in food safety and labelling, packaging sustainability and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), GST, consumer protection, data privacy and Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) implementation, AI governance, influencer marketing, legal metrology and emerging e-commerce regulations.

While acknowledging ongoing reforms to improve the business environment, the report highlights persistent challenges such as overlapping regulations, fragmented implementation and compliance complexity. It recommends greater regulatory harmonisation, risk-based compliance frameworks, wider digitalisation of compliance processes and more predictable policy implementation to strengthen Ease of Doing Business.

Additionally, the report outlines recommendations for businesses and policymakers, including accelerating AI adoption, modernising supply chains, strengthening sustainability initiatives, expanding the global footprint of Indian consumer brands, improving regulatory preparedness and establishing robust AI governance frameworks.

The report concludes that as India’s consumer economy evolves, AI-enabled innovation, connected commerce and trust-led governance will become key drivers of sustainable growth, reinforcing the importance of resilience, transparency and responsible business practices across the FMCG, retail and e-commerce sectors.