Indian consumers are poised to expand their spending on luxury goods over the next year, according to the latest Luxury Global Barometer report by global consultancy Simon-Kucher. The study, which surveyed more than 1,000 consumers worldwide, found that 86% of Indian luxury shoppers intend to increase their expenditure on high-end products in the coming 12 months, the highest proportion of any market analysed.
The data highlights the strength and resilience of the luxury sector in India and China, even as more mature markets such as Europe and the United States show signs of cautious spending and value-conscious behaviour.
Simon-Kucher partners Francesco Fiorese and Marco Torino observed that luxury demand in emerging geographies is reshaping the global industry. They described the market as operating at “two speeds”, with traditional markets becoming more selective, while consumers in India and China are accelerating their luxury purchases and redefining expectations for premium brands.
The study also found that a significant share of Indian and Chinese consumers — nearly two-thirds — have spent more than US $ 23,000 on luxury goods over the past 24 months, signalling deepening engagement with high-value categories.
Distinctive shifts in purchasing behaviour in India include a growing preference for online channels, with less than half of respondents favouring physical stores compared with over 70% in the United States, Europe and China. The report also highlighted trends such as weaker brand loyalty and a stronger focus on items that confer social status.
In addition, India recorded a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of +60 for the luxury shopping experience — the highest among the markets evaluated — suggesting exceptionally strong customer satisfaction and advocacy.
Analysts see these consumer trends as aligning with broader projections for India’s luxury market, which is expected to maintain double-digit growth and emerge as a key driver of global luxury demand amid rising affluence and a growing upper-income segment.
Industry observers note that global fashion houses have already been intensifying their presence in India to capitalise on this consumer momentum, signalling confidence in the country’s long-term luxury growth potential.
