As India gears up for the grand festive season of 2025, the country’s biggest e-commerce players — Amazon and Flipkart — are preparing for what could be one of the most competitive online shopping seasons in recent memory. This year, festive sales are expected to get an extra push, thanks to a fresh cut in Goods and Services Tax (GST) across multiple product categories. The move is likely to make big-ticket purchases more affordable for consumers while encouraging platforms to roll out deeper discounts and never-seen-before deals.
With rising consumer confidence and an upbeat market environment, both Amazon and Flipkart are ready to unleash their mega sales, which are now regarded as annual shopping festivals in India. Let’s dive deeper into how the GST cut, new launches, and competitive strategies are shaping this year’s festive shopping season.
GST Cuts Fueling Excitement
The timing of the festive season has aligned perfectly with the recent GST rate reduction that officially takes effect from September 22, 2025. The cuts cover a wide range of consumer goods, electronics, appliances, and lifestyle products, creating significant room for online retailers to pass on the benefits to buyers.
Industry experts note that inventories are being quickly restructured to align with the updated rates, ensuring customers get the revised prices the moment festive sales go live. With this move, both Amazon and Flipkart now have an extra lever to pull — making discounts look bigger while still protecting their margins.
For Indian consumers, the GST relief means one simple thing: better value for money. Combined with the aggressive promotions expected from the two giants, shoppers can look forward to making meaningful savings on everything from smartphones to household essentials.
Festive Season Showdown: Big Billion Days vs. Great Indian Festival
Just like every year, the festive shopping calendar will be dominated by Flipkart’s Big Billion Days and Amazon’s Great Indian Festival.
- Flipkart has already confirmed that its Big Billion Days will kick off on September 23, 2025.
- Amazon, while yet to announce official dates, is expected to launch its Great Indian Festival sale within hours of Flipkart’s opening.
This overlap has now become a festive tradition in India, where both platforms compete head-to-head for customer attention. For shoppers, this rivalry is nothing short of a jackpot — as the competition ensures better deals, faster deliveries, and attractive payment options.
Smartphones: The Star of Festive Shopping
No festive sale is complete without massive smartphone launches and discounts. This year too, the mobile segment will be the showstopper.
- Amazon has teased up to 40% off on top models from Apple, Samsung, iQOO, and OnePlus.
- Flipkart is going heavy with exclusive launches such as the iPhone 16, Samsung Galaxy S24, and Motorola Edge 60 Pro.
- Both platforms are also showcasing Samsung’s latest Galaxy Tab S11 series and the much-anticipated Galaxy S25 FE.
For buyers planning upgrades, this festive season could be the perfect time to grab flagship devices at lower prices. With India being one of the fastest-growing smartphone markets, both Amazon and Flipkart are betting big on this category to drive record-breaking sales.
Electronics and Appliances: Heavy Discounts Expected
Beyond smartphones, electronics and home appliances are set to be another high-demand segment.
- Amazon is offering up to 80% off on gadgets and accessories from brands like HP, Sony, and boAt.
- Large home appliances, including televisions, washing machines, and refrigerators, will see discounts of up to 65% from brands such as LG, Haier, and Godrej.
- Flipkart is promoting “double discounts” on premium categories, making big-ticket items like laptops and smart TVs even more attractive.
With households looking to upgrade appliances ahead of Diwali, these deals are expected to contribute significantly to overall festive spending.
Fashion, Lifestyle and Beauty Take Center Stage
Apart from gadgets, fashion, lifestyle, and beauty products are also expected to receive strong traction this year.
- Amazon is promoting 50–80% discounts across fashion, footwear, and grooming brands, including Crocs, L’Oréal, and Titan.
- Flipkart is focusing on furniture, apparel, and lifestyle products under its Big Billion Days umbrella.
Interestingly, Amazon continues to push its Karigar, Saheli, and Local Shops initiatives to highlight small businesses and local artisans, while Flipkart is aiming to expand its customer base by targeting first-time online shoppers from smaller towns.
Bank Tie-Ups and EMI Options: Making Shopping Easier
Financial partnerships are playing a vital role in driving festive sales. Both Amazon and Flipkart have lined up attractive bank offers to lure shoppers.
- Amazon customers can avail 10% instant discounts using State Bank of India (SBI) cards.
- Flipkart has tied up with Axis Bank and ICICI Bank for similar instant savings.
Additionally, both platforms are pushing flexible options such as no-cost EMI, Buy Now Pay Later schemes, and UPI-based instant discounts. This makes even premium purchases more affordable, further boosting consumer confidence.
Changing Shopping Trends: More Than Just Mobiles
While smartphones and fashion continue to dominate, the festive shopping basket in 2025 is more diverse than ever.
According to the Datum Festive Barometer 2025, online festive sales in India are projected to grow 27% year-on-year to touch a record ₹1.2 lakh crore.
Key highlights:
- Mobiles and lifestyle categories still contribute more than 50% of total sales.
- Segments like grocery, personal care, and appliances are growing steadily.
- Quick commerce platforms (instant delivery apps) are set to account for 12% of festive sales in 2025, compared to just 8% in 2024.
This shows how Indian consumers are no longer limiting festive purchases to just gadgets or fashion but are also embracing everyday essentials, groceries, and local products.
A Positive Outlook for Both Urban and Rural Buyers
The broader market sentiment adds another layer of optimism this year. Unlike the past few festive seasons, both urban and rural consumers are showing strong intent to spend.
- Rising disposable incomes,
- Attractive GST cuts, and
- Wider access to digital payment systems
are all combining to create an environment ripe for strong growth.
Industry analysts suggest that this festive season could set new records in terms of participation and revenue, with more first-time buyers joining the digital marketplace.
A Festive Battle Like Never Before
With the GST cut, aggressive discounts, and broader product variety, the 2025 festive season promises to be one of the most exciting in recent years.
Amazon and Flipkart, the two giants of Indian e-commerce, are not only battling for sales but also shaping the way millions of Indians experience festive shopping. Whether it’s buying the latest smartphone, upgrading household appliances, or stocking up on groceries, consumers can expect unmatched value this year.
For buyers, the message is clear: get ready to shop smarter, save more, and enjoy the festive season with deals that truly make a difference.
Disclaimer: This article is based on industry reports, announcements, and market trends. Discounts, offers, and product availability may vary across regions and are subject to change by respective e-commerce platforms. Readers are advised to check official websites for the latest updates.
