India’s gifting industry is shifting from seasonal celebrations to personalised, year-round expressions of sentiment, with emerging trends in premium products, corporate gifting, and rising demand in tier II and III cities shaping a more sophisticated market landscape.
India’s gifting market is being reshaped by a mix of emotion, convenience and aspiration, with a growing shift away from purely festival-driven buying towards year-round purchases tied to personal milestones, self-care and business relationships. Industry estimates point to a market worth about $75 billion in 2024, while IMARC Group places the India gifting market at $816.3 million in 2025 and forecasts steady expansion through 2034, driven by rising incomes, digital commerce and demand for personalised and corporate gifting. According to Research and Markets, premiumisation and online channels are helping to push the category beyond its traditional limits.
That evolution is also changing where and how people buy. Industry executives quoted by Indian Retailer say gifting has become a more frequent, emotion-led habit, with consumers increasingly celebrating promotions, anniversaries and small personal victories rather than waiting for major holidays. E-commerce, quick commerce and a more integrated offline presence are now central to the sector, especially as shoppers compare options more carefully and expect faster delivery, tailored packaging and a more polished buying experience.
The premium end of the market is also drawing fresh attention from Indian-origin brands and global luxury players alike. Manam Chocolate recently launched a gifting-led range at Galeries Lafayette Mumbai, positioning itself within a curated premium retail setting, while Reliance Retail has announced a franchise tie-up with Saks Fifth Avenue as it moves deeper into luxury retail. At the same time, CocoCart is expanding its premium food and gifting offer with international confectionery names including Venchi and Neuhaus, underlining how chocolates, gourmet hampers and experiential gifts are becoming more important in the luxury segment. Industry observers say this reflects a broader consumer preference for craftsmanship, exclusivity and products that feel more personal than mass-produced alternatives.
Corporate gifting is another major growth engine. Indian Retailer reports that business buyers now account for 35% to 40% of the market and that this segment is growing at 10% to 12% a year. Companies are using gifting more deliberately for employee recognition, client relationships and milestone celebrations, while brands are responding with scalable personalisation and premium presentation. The appeal is spreading beyond metros, too. Tier II and Tier III cities are emerging as important growth markets as incomes rise and digital adoption deepens, giving brands a larger audience for higher-value gifts.
The product mix is widening as well. Wellness items, skincare, sleepwear, compact appliances and curated hampers are gaining ground alongside more established categories such as chocolates, flowers and gift cards. Sustainability is becoming part of the value proposition, with younger shoppers and corporates showing greater interest in reusable packaging, ethically sourced products and gifts that feel both thoughtful and practical. In that sense, India’s gifting sector is moving from a seasonal ritual to a more sophisticated retail category, one where sentiment, status and utility increasingly overlap.
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