There are many factors that influence the online
FMCG purchase like economic conditions, cultural
differences, new technologies. In the last decade, the
online FMCG purchase has been grown by 40% for
mainly electronic goods and accessories like
watches, goggles, etc., and growing gradually in
many fields. Traditional consumers for FMCG are
gradually turning to online consumers, but due to
certain restrictions, such consumer prefers
traditional purchase. The main reason behind this
may be their economic condition or very little need.
For example medicines for seasonal flu, cough and
fever are generally preferred to be purchased from
nearby medical stores; most of the consumers have
believed in purchasing from their known vendors for
a little extra discount or timely and trustful services
in case of any problem in the product. Clothes are
still purchased in the traditional way due to fitting or
if any alteration is required. But if a person has to
take long-term medicine for blood pressure,
diabetes, or any such incurable disease, the bulk-
online purchase is preferred due to heavy discounts
and other facilities for long-term consumers.
This paper focuses on the trends of consumer
behavior in Delhi-NCR regarding online as well as
traditional FMCG purchase for this purpose the
author has visited and collected primary data about
the consumers and in some cases secondary data has
also been used. The secondary data has been
collected from already published work such as
journals, books, periodicals, newspapers, and
magazines. The primary aim of this article is to
understand purchase trends for FMCG by the
consumers of Delhi and NCR and the shift and cause
from traditional to the online process. A
mathematical analysis has also been provided in an
attempt to formulate the consumer behavior for
FMCG. This study is useful in understanding the
way to promote FMCG and to find a way for
optimizing the turnover keeping in mind the hybrid
consumers (the consumers who are involved in
online as well as traditional purchasing).
2 LITERATURE REVIEW
According to ASSOCHAM report, 2020 India
contributes only 0.68 percent of the world FMCG
market and it is expected to grow in the next five
years. Most of the FMCG companies are shifting
towards e-commerce because of the increasing
penetration of mobile and the internet. In 2015
FMCG products globally accounted for 5 percent of
the online share, while in India the same accounted
for 1-2 percent. The decelerating global economic
growth in the developed countries offers an
advantage to India due to its better economic
situation. In 2015 FMCG market constituted 46
percent food and beverages, 23 percent personal
care, 11 percent household care, and others 20
percent. One of the main reasons for the FMCG
market in India is the organized retail sector’s
growing share.
(IBE report, 2018) has laid stress on the growth
opportunities in the FMCG market of India. The
rural market is gradually becoming vital for FMCG
products due to the presence of a strong distribution
network of industries and it is expected to touch US$
220 bn by the year 2025. FMCG market in India has
a great opportunity for growth due to the high
adaptability of consumers for innovative products
like gel-based facials, sugar-free products, men’s
cosmetics, etc. Other factors that can provide an
opportunity for FMCG growth in India are
inclination towards premium products, leverage to
India a sourcing hub for products that are cost-
competitive and increasing penetration in the rural
market.
FMCG sector is one of the best performing (A.
Singhi, N. Jain, 2018). This sector has delivered
shortly as well as long term high return. Since
variation in volume growth is having little
correlation with GDP growth rate, hence FMCG
growth rate less dependent on macro-economic
factors. By 2025, household income of 22 million
more people will become nearly ₹10 Lakh per
annum which will eventually add to the growth of
the FMCG market. A transformational change is
taking place in the FMCG industry because of
demographic shift due to the increase in the use of
digital media. Hence to exploit this opportunity for
FMCG growth the companies must re-engineer the
methods to operate.
The future perspective of FMCG industry trends
(Indian FMCG growth snapshot, 2018) can be
explained on the basis of the growth trajectory of
GDP, rural income boost, the trend in private
consumption, consumer confidence, and inflation. It
has been observed that FMCG companies of Indian
descent performed far better than multinational
companies. In 2016, seven out of ten companies
were of Indian origin whose FMCG annual turnover
was more than ₹1000 crore.
3 ONLINE FMCG MARKET IN
DELHI – NCR
In the last decade, consumer trust and confidence
have increased in online purchasing for FMCG in a
broader range and categories (Economic times