These days, caution is necessary in online shopping

October 25, 2026

Statistics clearly show that people in India are rapidly adopting online shopping. Recently, the Finance Ministry announced a fee on shopkeepers for purchases above 2,000 rupees, which has been put on hold until Diwali due to the heavy online shopping during these days. Of course, the people of this country are festive-loving; inflation doesn’t affect them during festivals, so it’s certain that there will be a lot of shopping. Indians are willing to spend beyond their means during festivals.

Some news about online shopping reveals that it is difficult to do anything in a fair and honest manner in India. Everyone is looking to cheat others. Irregularities are also occurring in online shopping. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has reported that many online delivery platforms, including Zepto, Blinkit, and Swiggy, deliver expired or substandard goods to customers.

The government has issued notices to them and warned of further action. Another trick being used is that online platforms advertise different quantities than the actual quantity and deliver goods that are less than the stated weight.

These complaints are old, but unfortunately, instead of decreasing, they are increasing with time. Looking at the data on online shopping at the Consumer Helpline, we find that in 2024, the number of complaints related to this was around 500,000, while by 2026, the number will double. We want to make it clear that online shopping is undoubtedly a boon for both buyers and sellers. It expands the market and reduces the likelihood of recession, but remember that this online business is all about maintaining mutual trust and credibility.

If a company’s or online platform’s reputation is damaged, it will not only lead to a decline in sales, but also create litigation for these companies. Therefore, both buyers and sellers dealing in online commerce must be vigilant and avoid sending expired or underweight goods for immediate profit, otherwise the online purchasing process will soon collapse.