365Telugu.com online news, National, June 14th, 2025:As social media continues to reshape shopping behavior in India, Meta has unveiled insightful findings from a new study focused on the retail industry. Conducted by GWI and commissioned by Meta, the study highlights a dramatic shift in how Indian consumers discover products, make decisions, and interact with retailers — blending online and offline worlds more than ever before.
According to the study, which surveyed 2,548 internet users aged 16–64 across India, nearly 80% of shoppers discover new products on social media, with a staggering 96% of those discoveries occurring on Meta platforms like Facebook and Instagram. The study underlines a clear trend: even customers shopping in physical stores now heavily rely on digital platforms for product research and discovery.
“Indian shoppers today are social-first, mobile-first, and video-first, whether they’re buying online or in-store,” said Meghna Apparao, Director of E-commerce and Retail at Meta India. “With Reels, influencer content, and messaging driving discovery, offline retailers can now engage customers across multiple digital touchpoints and create seamless ‘phygital’ experiences.”
Short-Form Videos Driving Sales
The impact of video content is especially pronounced. Meta reports that short-form videos — particularly 2–3-minute Reels — are influencing purchase decisions at scale. Nearly one-third of users who watch brand videos go on to purchase the featured product, with luxury segments showing even higher conversion rates due to compelling visual storytelling.
Influencer Marketing: A Retail Game-Changer
Influencers are playing a pivotal role in retail success. The study reveals that 6 in 10 Indian shoppers follow national influencers, whose content significantly impacts both online and offline buying decisions. Their recommendations are driving foot traffic to stores and encouraging direct purchases, reinforcing the importance of creator-led commerce.
WhatsApp as a Purchase Catalyst
Meta’s messaging app WhatsApp has emerged as a powerful conversion tool. The study found that 60% of users are more likely to purchase a product after receiving an offer on WhatsApp, demonstrating how personalized business messaging can lead to real-world results.
Omnichannel Advertising Gains Traction
Responding to these behavioral shifts, Meta has introduced new omnichannel advertising solutions that connect online engagement with offline actions. These tools help retailers track and optimize campaigns for outcomes like in-store visits and offline purchases, merging the digital and physical shopping experience into a unified journey.
“Meta’s Click-to-WhatsApp solutions have been transformational for us,” said Pelki Tshering, Chief Marketing Officer at Tanishq. “We’ve achieved over 14x offline ROAS, and our test of Meta’s new omnichannel ads showed a 40% boost in online ROAS and improved offline performance. It’s not just about sales — it’s about connecting with customers wherever they are.”
Aishwarya Omprakash, Head of Marketing at Taneira, added: “Our pilot with Meta’s omnichannel ads yielded 3.5x higher conversions and 4.3x better ROAS compared to standard campaigns. It validates the strength of a multi-touchpoint strategy and opens doors to even better performance in the future.”
As India’s retail landscape evolves, digital discovery, influencer marketing, and personalized messaging are becoming essential tools for offline retailers. With Meta’s platforms at the center of this shift, brands now have a powerful opportunity to scale their physical presence through digital engagement — proving that the future of offline retail is deeply connected to the online world.