Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a mainstream business tool for India’s online sellers, according to the latest Snapdeal Bharat Seller Report 2026. The report reveals that 56% of surveyed online sellers are already using AI-powered tools to improve business operations, signalling a significant shift in the country’s digital commerce landscape.
Based on a survey of sellers across Bharat who operate on Snapdeal, the report highlights key trends shaping India’s e-commerce ecosystem, including AI adoption, marketplace growth, changing consumer behaviour, seller profitability and the increasing influence of non-metro markets.
AI Adoption Moves Beyond Large Businesses
The findings indicate that AI is no longer limited to large enterprises or digital-first brands. Instead, technology adoption is expanding among MSMEs, manufacturers and traditional sellers seeking greater efficiency and competitiveness.
Among sellers already using AI tools, 43% identified product listings and content creation as the most common application. Sellers are increasingly relying on AI to generate product descriptions, improve catalogue management, optimise listings and enhance product discoverability across online marketplaces.
Commenting on the findings, Achint Setia, CEO, Snapdeal, said:
“India’s online seller ecosystem is evolving rapidly. Sellers today are far more digitally mature, operationally agile, and increasingly technology-enabled. What is particularly interesting is that AI adoption is now becoming visible even among MSMEs and traditional sellers. At the same time, the continued growth of Bharat markets on the back of rising internet penetration and growing comfort in online transactions among consumers continue to define the next phase of Indian e-commerce.”
Online Commerce Becomes a Core Sales Channel
The report also highlights the growing importance of online channels for Indian businesses. Nearly 46% of respondents reported that more than 75% of their total sales now come from online commerce, demonstrating how digital platforms have become a primary route to market for a large number of sellers.
India’s online seller ecosystem also remains strongly manufacturing-led. Around 66% of surveyed sellers identified themselves as manufacturers selling directly to consumers online, reflecting the growing role of marketplaces in enabling MSMEs and small manufacturers to reach customers nationwide without extensive distribution networks.
Bharat Markets Drive E-commerce Growth
The report reinforces the growing importance of Tier-2, Tier-3 and smaller cities in India’s digital economy. More than half of the surveyed sellers (51%) said that customers from smaller markets are growing faster than those from metro and Tier-1 cities.
This growth is being driven by rising internet penetration, affordable smartphones, improved logistics infrastructure, widespread digital payment adoption and increasing consumer confidence in online shopping across Bharat.
Value Remains Central to Consumer Behaviour
Despite evolving shopping habits, value continues to be the most important factor influencing online purchasing decisions. Nearly 49% of sellers said customers primarily look for the best prices and discounts when shopping online.
Product quality emerged as the second most important consideration, cited by 38% of respondents, indicating that consumers continue to balance affordability with expectations of quality.
The report also highlights the scale of India’s value-commerce economy, with 66% of sellers operating in categories where the average order value remains below ₹500. The findings underline the continued importance of affordable products in driving the country’s digital commerce growth.
The Snapdeal Bharat Seller Report 2026 paints a picture of an increasingly technology-enabled, manufacturing-led and value-focused e-commerce ecosystem, where AI adoption and the rise of Bharat markets are shaping the next phase of growth.
