Nearly half of Bengaluru’s residents say they prefer retail shopping over online purchases during the upcoming festive season, according to a survey conducted by LocalCircles, a community-based social media platform focused on citizen engagement and governance.
The study, which gathered responses from more than 26,000 residents of Bengaluru, found that 49% preferred shopping in physical stores, compared with 39% who favoured online platforms. The festive period considered for the survey spans September to November.
The survey also revealed demographic details, with 61% of participants being men and 39% women. The most common spending bracket was between Rs. 5,000–20,000 (US $ 60 – US $ 240).
LocalCircles said respondents cited the appeal of in-store experiences and immediate product access as factors driving the preference for physical retail. At the same time, digital payments, including debit and credit cards, dominated transactions, with 93% of households preferring them over cash. Convenience was highlighted as the key reason for this choice.
The Bengaluru findings form part of a wider national survey, which largely targeted urban households across India to capture consumer sentiment and shopping patterns ahead of the festive season.
