Bangalore, August 17, 2026: bigbasket, a TATA Enterprise and India’s trusted quick commerce platform, saw strong demand across patriotic merchandise and celebration-related categories during Independence Day 2026, reflecting how consumers are increasingly turning to quick commerce for both planned purchases and last-minute festive needs.
This year, celebrations were increasingly shaped by what consumers picked up along the way, rather than being entirely planned in advance. Patriotic merchandise saw significant growth through the build-up week, with units up around 2.6X over the same period in 2025. Wearables such as stoles, badges and caps accounted for the largest share of the category.
The demand also extended beyond traditional patriotic merchandise. Kites, which remained a relatively small category last year, saw nearly 25X growth in volumes, while kite accessories grew close to 7X. Decorations increased 44% in value. Wearables including stoles, badges and caps continued to account for close to two-thirds of patriotic merchandise sold, with volumes up 2.4X.
bigbasket also saw heightened demand for celebration essentials such as snacks, beverages, sweets and other gathering-related products as customers prepared for housing society events, school functions, office celebrations and family get-togethers.
The growth reflects the role of quick commerce in helping consumers manage both planned and immediate requirements for occasions. From flags and accessories to refreshments and snacks, customers were able to bring together different elements of their celebrations through doorstep delivery, including close to the start of events.
Commenting on the trend, Vishal Das, Chief Buying & Merchandising Officer, bigbasket, said, “What stood out this Independence Day was not just the growth in patriotic merchandise, but the way customers shopped for the occasion. We saw strong demand for flags, stoles, badges and celebration essentials, with many orders coming close to the start of community events, school functions and family gatherings. This reflects a broader shift in consumer behaviour, where quick commerce is increasingly becoming a preferred channel for both planned festive purchases and last-minute requirements. For us, the opportunity is not only to deliver products quickly, but to ensure customers can find everything they need for moments that matter, in one place and with complete convenience.”
This Independence Day highlighted how quick commerce is becoming part of the way consumers prepare for and participate in celebrations. Whether it was a flag ordered ahead of a community event, snacks for a family gathering or refreshments for guests, bigbasket enabled customers to access a wide range of products for the occasion through a single platform.
About bigbasket
bigbasket, a TATA Enterprise, is redefining the online grocery experience in India. Trusted by over 10 million customers, the platform offers ultra-fast 10-minute delivery across a wide range of over 20,000 products including groceries, fresh produce, fruits and vegetables, medicines, fashion, electronics, beauty, and more, all in one place. With a presence in 60+ cities, including Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, bigbasket operates through a strong network of 700+ dark stores, ensuring speed, convenience, and reliability at scale.
