As temperatures rise and seasonal demand peaks, a newly released research report from Sciative Solutions reveals how AI-powered dynamic pricing is transforming the FMCG and quick commerce sectors in India. The data shows that FMCG product assortment surged by 50%, with Packaged Food and Cold Drinks witnessing an 80% spike in the number of listed products from the pre-summer to peak summer season.
This explosive growth comes as consumer habits shift in response to rising heat, school vacations, outdoor activities, and increased social gatherings. Consumers are turning toward ready-to-consume, light, and refreshing items, driving demand for cold beverages, snacks, juices, and packaged foods.
“AI is enabling brands to not just respond, but proactively lead in rapidly evolving market conditions,” said Vijeta Soni, Co-founder & CEO, Sciative Solutions. “With over one lakh SKUs and 500+ pincodes to manage, real-time, AI-driven pricing and inventory decisions are essential to stay competitive and relevant, especially during high-demand periods like summer.”
The report also highlights the growing influence of hyperlocal pricing strategies, with over 60% of products showing price variations across different pincodes, and 30% of products experiencing price changes within a single day. Categories like Ice Cream, Frozen Food, and Dairy were the most affected- reflecting high perishability, logistical sensitivity, and fluctuating local demand.
“We are witnessing the arrival of precision commerce at scale,” said Anshu Jalora, Founder & Managing Director, Sciative Solutions. “AI is not just helping brands handle the complexity- it’s turning that complexity into a competitive advantage through smarter, real-time decisions that align perfectly with consumer behaviour, stock dynamics, and regional demand.”
Additional insights from the report include:
- 30% of brands launched or scaled up their presence on quick commerce platforms during the summer period, capitalizing on the surge in demand.
- Frozen Foods and Cold Drinks & Juices recorded up to 16% and 15% price increases, respectively driven by cold chain complexity and consumer willingness to pay more for convenience.
- Price hikes correlated directly with stockouts, as categories with frequent out-of-stock (OOS) instances were also those that saw the steepest price increases.
- Real-time competitor monitoring revealed frequent price fluctuations across platforms, underlining the importance of responsive pricing strategies.
A standout case in the report is Kombucha, a niche, health-oriented beverage that saw 150% growth in product listings without relying on discount-led entry. Instead, brands used AI to identify wellness-focused consumers and sustain a premium pricing model, bucking the conventional penetration strategy.
With seasonality, weather, and regional buying patterns becoming critical pricing factors, the report concludes that AI is no longer a technological enhancement. it’s a strategic necessity for any FMCG brand operating in India’s fast-moving digital retail ecosystem.
