India’s online seller ecosystem is becoming more technology-driven, manufacturing-led, and closely aligned with value-conscious consumers, according to Snapdeal’s Bharat Seller Report 2026. The report finds that AI adoption is no longer limited to large enterprises or digital-first brands, with 56% of surveyed sellers already using AI-powered tools in some form to improve operations.
Product Listings Lead AI Use
Among sellers using AI, the most common application is product listings and content creation, cited by 43% of respondents. Sellers are using these tools to generate product descriptions, improve cataloguing, optimise listings, and make products easier to discover on marketplaces. Snapdeal CEO Achint Setia said the findings show that India’s seller base is becoming more digitally mature, operationally agile, and increasingly technology-enabled, while Bharat markets continue to expand on the back of rising internet penetration and growing consumer comfort with online transactions.
Online Channels Drive Sales
The report also highlights how central online commerce has become to seller businesses. Nearly 46% of respondents said more than three-fourths of their overall sales now come from online channels, showing how deeply digital commerce has entered the mainstream. At the same time, the ecosystem remains strongly manufacturing-led, with about 66% of sellers identifying themselves as manufacturers selling directly online.
Bharat Markets Lead Growth
Bharat markets are emerging as the key growth engine for digital commerce. About 51% of sellers said customers from Tier-2, Tier-3, and smaller markets are growing faster for their business than metro and Tier-1 consumers. The report links this shift to affordable smartphones, stronger logistics, rising internet access, digital payments, and greater trust in online shopping outside major cities.
Value Still Dominates
Value continues to dominate Indian online shopping behaviour. Nearly 49% of sellers said buyers prioritize the best prices and discounts, while 38% said product quality is the second most important factor. The data also shows the scale of value commerce in India, with 66% of respondents operating in categories where the average order value is below ₹500.
