Flipkart’s Big Billion Days sale, kicking off September 23, features Samsung Galaxy AI as the title sponsor and Intel Core Ultra as tech sponsor, joined by Zebronics, Acer, Moto Book 60, and Titan. Offers span smartphones, electronics, home appliances, and apparel. The flashpoint? Both Flipkart and Amazon will launch their sales simultaneously, resulting in another fierce online discount war.
Record-Breaking 2024 Festive Sales
2024 was a banner year: Indian e-commerce platforms, led by Flipkart and Amazon, generated nearly ₹1 lakh crore ($11.9 billion) in revenue over the festive season, a jump of more than 20% from the previous year. Flipkart’s Big Billion Days contributed strongly—Walmart’s Q3 earnings reported double-digit revenue growth, with same-day delivery volumes up 2.5x. Flipkart tallied a massive 330 million user visits in the first two days alone, with Tier-II and III cities driving much of the sales, reflecting deeper penetration beyond metros.
Amazon’s Great Indian Festival set records with 140 crore customer visits in 2024, over 85% from non-metro cities, and 42,000 sellers achieving their highest-ever daily sales. Premium mobiles, gaming laptops (up 35x), and large screen TVs led sales, while B2B segments and Amazon Prime sign-ups surged. Sellers from small towns and women-led businesses thrived, highlighting the festival’s impact on democratizing online commerce.
Industry-Wide Impact for 2025 and Beyond
Analyst projections for 2025 point to an even greater boom: festive sales are expected to surge 27% year-on-year, crossing ₹1.2 lakh crore. Consumer sentiment is up, with 70% planning to spend more and broadening purchases beyond mobiles and fashion to include appliances, personal care, and grocery as quick commerce gains ground. GST rate cuts effective from September 22 promise additional deals—though new rates may apply only to fresh inventory during the sale.
Comparing Flipkart and Amazon
Both giants vie for dominance with aggressive price drops, exclusive deals, and bundled offers. In 2024, Flipkart undercut Amazon on iPhones and Pixel smartphones by thousands, and this year could be even more competitive. Flipkart’s ad revenue recently outpaced its marketplace fee revenue (₹5,000 crore in FY24), showing a notable shift in its business mix. Amazon’s strength lies in its vast seller network, rapidly growing Prime base, and fastest-delivery capabilities. The synchronized sale dates amplify competition, forcing both companies to outdo each other on deals, selection, and customer experience.
Both Amazon and Flipkart have rolled out massive seasonal recruitment campaigns while opening new fulfillment centers, sort centers, and delivery hubs across the country. This comes as shoppers prepare for mega events like Diwali, the Great Indian Festival, and Big Billion Days. Together, they have created over 3.7 lakh seasonal roles this year. What are these roles? Check full information.
Combined Effect on Indian E-commerce
Together, Flipkart’s Big Billion Days and Amazon’s Great Indian Festival now define the annual e-commerce calendar, catalyzing consumer spending, supporting MSMEs and new sellers, and pushing digital adoption in every region. The festival sales provide a major revenue spike, drive innovation in logistics and payments, and reinforce e-commerce as a lifestyle staple, even during volatile economic times.
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Final Thoughts
India’s festive sale wars in 2025 are more than just a battle for bargains—they signal the resurgence and growth of digital commerce at an unprecedented scale. With deeper geographic reach, broader category mixes, competitive strategies, and new GST rate cuts, Flipkart and Amazon are set to drive record-breaking online retail, making the month-long sales a defining moment for the industry and economy.
