Quick-commerce platforms reveal surprising trends in India’s New Year celebrations, with unusual orders ranging from grapes to handcuffs flooding delivery apps.
January 1, 2025: India welcomed 2025 in style, with quick-commerce platforms like Swiggy Instamart, Blinkit, and BigBasket reporting record-breaking orders on New Year’s Eve. From grapes and condoms to handcuffs and ice cubes, Indians made sure their celebrations were unique, quirky, and well-stocked.
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Party Essentials Top the List
Chips, Coke, and Namkeen emerged as the top items ordered, with Blinkit co-founder Albinder Dhindsa sharing on X (formerly Twitter) that 2.3 lakh packets of aloo bhujiya and 6,834 packets of ice cubes were delivered by 8 PM on December 31. Swiggy Instamart also reported a peak of 853 chips orders per minute at 7:30 PM.
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https://t.co/ookPgwMqg3 pic.twitter.com/oUViC73eGS
— Albinder Dhindsa (@albinder) December 31, 2024
Unexpected Demand for Grapes
One of the most surprising trends was the sudden surge in grape orders. Albinder Dhindsa expressed his bewilderment, asking why grapes had become such a hot item. Social media users quickly explained that it’s a New Year’s tradition in several cultures to eat 12 grapes at midnight and make wishes for the coming year. The trend gained popularity in India thanks to Sofia Vergara’s character Gloria in Modern Family.
https://t.co/ookPgwMqg3 pic.twitter.com/oUViC73eGS
— Albinder Dhindsa (@albinder) December 31, 2024
Condoms and… Handcuffs?
As the night progressed, condoms also saw a significant uptick in orders, with chocolate flavour leading sales at 39%, followed by strawberry (31%) and bubblegum (19%). Adding a playful twist, Swiggy Instamart reported an order that included blindfolds and handcuffs, making it clear that New Year celebrations had a bold edge.
What’s with the sudden craze for grapes today?? 🤔
— Albinder Dhindsa (@albinder) December 31, 2024
It's one of the highest ordered items on the platform since morning! pic.twitter.com/cdSNjHnveu
Beverages and Party Supplies Soar
BigBasket witnessed a 552% rise in non-alcoholic beverage sales and a 325% jump in disposable cups and plates. Mocktail ingredients also saw a 200% spike.
Ice hit its peak at 7:41 PM with 119 kgs delivered in that minute! 👀
— Phani Kishan A (@phanikishan) December 31, 2024
Despite doubling their orders, Chennai still trails behind Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad when it comes to stocking up for chilled drinks tonight. 🧊
Quick Commerce: A Growing Trend
Quick-commerce platforms have revolutionized grocery shopping in India, offering deliveries in mere minutes. These platforms became essential during the COVID-19 pandemic, and their reach has since expanded beyond metro cities into tier-2 and tier-3 towns.
A Night to Remember
From traditional party snacks to quirky items like grapes and handcuffs, India’s New Year’s Eve shopping trends reflect a unique blend of fun, culture, and spontaneity. As the clock struck midnight, these platforms played an essential role in ensuring that celebrations across the country went off without a hitch.
Tags: New Year Orders, Quick Commerce India, Swiggy Instamart, Blinkit Orders, BigBasket Trends, New Year 2025, Online Shopping Trends
