Walmart’s Retail Rewired Report India 2025: AI, access and the next chapter of Indian retail 

Key Insights

• Indian shoppers are digitally fluent yet tradition conscious, seamlessly adopting new tools while holding onto familiar habits.
• Shoppers want flexibility without compromise, embracing digital payments and AI-driven discovery while valuing more traditional options.
• Retailers must balance innovation with trust; AI and mobile tools win adoption only when paired with transparency, speed, and reliability.

This year’s Retail Rewired Report dives into how Indian shoppers are adapting to an increasingly digital retail landscape, analyzing subtle but significant shifts in consumer behavior—from the rise of AI-powered shopping tools to the continued importance of trust, speed and payment flexibility.

The retail landscape is evolving in profound yet quiet ways. With smartphones in one hand and tradition in the other, shoppers are blending digital fluency with long-standing habits to create a new kind of shopping journey.

Across major metros and rising Tier 2 cities—urban centers that are experiencing an influx of economic and infrastructure growth—shoppers are weaving AI and e-commerce into routine decisions, redefining the path from discovery to purchase. For retailers, this transformation is both opportunity and challenge: success depends on balancing innovation with personalization while meeting the expectations of a digitally engaged yet tradition-conscious market.

Comfort with digital technologies 

India’s digital readiness is undeniable. Six in ten respondents describe themselves as “very comfortable” adopting new digital tools, with adoption evenly spread across Early Adopters (38%) and the more cautious Early Majority (38%).

Importantly, 96% have purchased goods and services online through websites or mobile apps—showing that digital adoption is not a disruption, it’s simply part of everyday life.

Discovery that blends channels

Shoppers are no longer choosing between digital and physical; they’re blending both. Sixty percent use e-commerce apps while in stores to search, products, compare prices or unlock offers. 

And discovery often begins online: with many starting with a search bar or gaining inspiration from social media. 

AI steps into the mainstream

AI-powered tools are becoming everyday shopping companions. Half of respondents noted they rely on AI assistants, with nearly one in four saying they “always” do. 

What draws them in is utility: 87% agree AI saves significant time. Shoppers value price comparisons, review summaries, and direct answers on availability or delivery. Trust factors like transparency in data use and personalized suggestions further strengthen adoption.

Where barriers still stand

For all its promise, AI adoption comes with caution. Shoppers cite data security (60%) and privacy (35%) as leading concerns. Technical glitches and the loss of personal touch are also barriers. Speed remains non-negotiable, with many acknowledging it’s “very important.” 

Further, payments reveal a dual mindset: while digital options are commonly used, most still value Cash on Delivery. While incentives like free delivery and cashback continue to drive loyalty.

What shoppers really want

Taken together, the findings reveal a paradox: shoppers are eager to embrace the speed, convenience and personalization of AI-driven retail—but they remain anchored by a need for trust, transparency and choice.

Here’s what matters most:

• Digital adoption is deeply embedded: It is not disruptive but quietly universal.
• Mobile and social lead discovery: Shaping journeys that move seamlessly between online and offline.
• AI delivers utility, not hype: Shoppers value time savings, relevance and trust above novelty.
• Trust, speed and flexibility remain critical: Shoppers want the best of both digital and traditional worlds.

The takeaway for retailers

Today’s shoppers are digitally empowered yet traditionally rooted. They welcome AI-driven discovery, personalized recommendations and convenient payments, but only if paired with transparency, reliability and flexibility.

For retailers, the path forward is clear: deliver seamless, privacy-first, incentive-rich experiences that meet consumers where they are, blending the convenience of digital with the trust of tradition.