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The New Language of Generosity: Decoding the Future of Gifting in India’s Gen Z Era

A sharp white paper decoding India’s USD 75B gifting opportunity in the Gen Z era – from digital shagun to Desi Core aesthetics, quick commerce and corporate gifting 2.0.

Why India’s Future of Gifting Needs Your Attention

Gifting in India is no longer just about Diwali hampers and wedding shagun.

It is a fast-evolving, year-round language of emotion, identity and loyalty – especially for Gen Z. This free white paper maps how a USD 75.16 billion market, projected to reach USD 92.32 billion by 2030, is being reshaped by young consumers, digital payments, quick commerce and a new design vocabulary.

If you lead a brand, retail business, D2C label, corporate HR or marketing team, this is your field guide to turning gifting from a seasonal expense into a strategic growth lever.

What’s Inside the White Paper

The Macro Shift: From Obligation to Intention

Understand how India is moving from ritualistic len-den to intentional, relationship-first gifting.
Get market context: size, growth outlook and why micro-moments are the new battleground.

The Gen Z Playbook

Decode the “Smart Hedonist” mindset – financially prudent, yet willing to pay for vibe, narrative and unboxing.
Learn how Main Character Energy, “Pookie” culture, self-gifting and micro-occasions are rewriting your calendar.

From Shagun to Swipe

See how UPI, digital envelopes and group gifting are transforming shagun into a seamless, trackable, digital-first experience.
Discover what the rise of brand currency and e-gift cards means for loyalty and category choice.

Desi Core & the New Aesthetics of Premium

Explore “Desi Core” – India Modern colour, typography and packaging trends that make gifts truly thumb-stopping.
Learn how sustainability, tactility and unboxing are becoming the new markers of luxury in India.

Micro-Moments & New Gifting Occasions

Identify emerging occasions – pet “paw-ties”, breakup hampers, self-love kits, situationship gifts and beyond.
Find concrete ideas to design products and campaigns for these everyday emotional spikes.

Corporate Gifting 2.0

Learn why generic diaries are dead and how choice platforms, wellness kits and ESG-led gifting impact retention and culture.
Get a framework to move corporate gifting from “nice to have” to measurable ROI.

Tech Stack: Quick Commerce, AI & Panic Gifts

Understand how Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy Instamart and AI-driven curation are powering “panic gifting” and impulse generosity.
See how recommendation engines and GenAI content can solve the “What do I gift?” problem at scale.

Strategic Playbook for 2026

Practical recommendations for retailers, D2C brands, corporate buyers and tech platforms.
Actionable moves on product, packaging, partnerships and measurement you can implement in the next 3–6 months.

Is This White Paper for You?

This free download is built for:

Retail & brand leaders who want to capture India’s next wave of gifting-led demand across online and offline.
D2C founders and marketers looking to design giftable SKUs, bundles and unboxing experiences Gen Z actually talks about.
Corporate HR, rewards & procurement teams rethinking employee and client gifting to drive engagement, not clutter.
Agency and consultancy teams who need sharp India + Gen Z insights and language for strategy decks, pitches and campaigns.

If gifting touches your category, this white paper will give you language, data points and frameworks you can plug straight into your next strategy, campaign or product roadmap.

About the Author

This white paper is authored by Puneet Dudeja, Director, Business Development – WGSN, South Asia and Principal at The Knowledge Company.

Drawing on trend forecasting, consumer insights and on-ground conversations with brands across India, he connects macro market shifts with the everyday realities of Indian Gen Z and the retail ecosystem.

Puneet Dudeja leads business development and strategic partnerships for WGSN in South Asia. With 14+ years of experience across fashion retail, licensing, and B2B growth strategy, Puneet plays a pivotal role in helping Indian and regional brands future-proof their product, design, and consumer strategies using trend intelligence.

Puneet is a regular speaker at industry forums and a vocal advocate of trend-led business innovation. Connect with him at: https://in.linkedin.com/in/puneetdudeja

Get the White Paper – Free Download

Unlock the full 13+ pages of insights, examples and strategic recommendations on the future of gifting in India’s Gen Z era. No paywall, no subscription – just a free, deep-dive resource to help you design better products, campaigns and experiences.