In an eye-opening consumer insights report by Kantar, a fine-grained analysis of India’s top nine metropolitan markets has revealed the shifting epicenters of FMCG consumption—both in terms of quality and quantity. The report highlights a fascinating duality: while south-west Bengaluru takes the lead in premium FMCG spends, Delhi’s western and southern districts dominate in terms of overall consumption volume and household expenditure.
South-West Bengaluru: A Taste for Premium
Kantar’s study, which examined 157 micro-clusters across key metros, identifies the RR Nagar–Mysore Road–Kengeri belt in south-west Bengaluru as the most premium FMCG cluster in India. Consumers here spend an average of Rs. 227 per kilogram on FMCG products—significantly higher than the city’s average of Rs. 211, and higher still than other upmarket Bengaluru enclaves like Koramangala and Indiranagar.
The cluster’s elevated spend on hygiene items is especially notable. According to the report, south-west Bengaluru households spend 1.2 times more than their Koramangala and Indiranagar counterparts on personal hygiene, and 1.3 times more on home care products. The report infers that “a strong orientation towards cleanliness and wellness” is a defining behavioral trait of consumers in this region.
But the premiumization isn’t just about hygiene. These households also show a clear preference for convenience—shelling out 20% more for ready-to-cook (RTC) and ready-to-eat (RTE) products, as well as indulging in higher-end talcum powders and deodorants.
Delhi: Where Volume Meets Variety
While Bengaluru leads on the premium front, Delhi’s West and South clusters emerge as India’s heavyweight FMCG consumers.
The South Delhi cluster—spanning Okhla, Kalkaji, Lajpat Nagar, and Bhogal—ranks highest in volume, with households consuming a whopping 240 kg of FMCG annually, nearly double the national urban average of 119 kg (excluding atta). Interestingly, this region shows a selective consumption pattern: spending less on snacks and more on essential staples like edible oils, basmati rice, and bottled beverages.
Meanwhile, the West Delhi cluster—covering areas like Tilak Nagar, Janakpuri, Sagarpur, and Vikaspuri—sets the benchmark for annual FMCG expenditure. Here, the average household spends Rs. 39,325 a year, more than twice the national metro average of Rs. 19,000. Their carts are typically filled with high-consumption categories like salty snacks, sauces, soft drinks, and spices.
Mumbai’s GDSC Corridor: India’s FMCG Footfall Champion
One of the most intriguing patterns comes from Mumbai’s GDSC corridor—an acronym for a stretch covering Dharavi, Bandra East, Khar East, Santacruz East, Dawri Nagar, and Prabhat Colony. This belt registers 233 shopping trips annually, far outpacing both the urban India average (128 visits) and the broader Mumbai average (135 visits).
But while frequency is high, basket size remains modest. Each visit nets just Rs. 93 worth of FMCG goods—averaging 541 grams per trip. Kantar describes this as a “unique urban consumption rhythm,” where access, availability, and local buying culture drive high-touch, small-ticket shopping behaviors. Essentially, this cluster’s FMCG engagement is shaped more by frequency than by spend.
