GST Rate Cut From Sept 22: What It Means For Shoppers Ahead Of Amazon & Flipkart Festive Sales | Markets News

Shopping

Starting September 23 with early access from September 22, major e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart are kicking off their Diwali sales season, timed perfectly right after India’s revised GST rates come into effect. The GST cut is expected to give consumers better value and push up festive spending. RedSeer Consulting anticipates festive sales growth of 20–25%, estimating over Rs 1.15 lakh crore in gross merchandise value (GMV) this season.

What Changes with the GST Cut

• Price Drop Across Categories: With lower GST rates now in place, customers can expect reduced costs on many products starting September 22. This is particularly meaningful for big-ticket, non-essential items, which typically carry higher tax rates.
• No Recall or Re-Labelling Needed: For products already manufactured before September 22 and stocked with old MRPs, you won’t need to worry about recall or re-stickering—what matters is the invoice price you pay at checkout. Retailers must show updated price or supplementary lists reflecting the GST changes.

Bigger Deals, Faster Delivery

• Amazon has geared up its logistics network significantly—adding 45 new delivery stations, new fulfilment/sortation centres—to ensure faster delivery even in Tier II & III cities. It’s also hiring seasonal staff to handle the surge in orders.
• Flipkart is stepping up with early access for Black & Plus members from September 22, and offers like “10-minute delivery” across multiple cities and large swathes of pin codes. Their value platform, Shopsy, is running deals at very low prices (starting from ₹29) to attract budget-conscious customers.

How Customers Stand to Gain Ahead of the Festive Season

For shoppers, the timing could not have been better. The GST cut reduces the base price of many goods, and when combined with mega sale discounts, card-linked offers, and no-cost EMI schemes, it can mean stacked savings. Big-ticket categories like electronics, home appliances, and lifestyle products are likely to see the most benefit, helping customers stretch their festive budgets further. Families planning bulk festive purchases—from gifts to household upgrades—stand to save significantly compared to previous years.

What Customers Should Do to Maximize Savings

1. Wait till September 22 (if possible) before making big purchases, to benefit from new lower GST rates.
2. Check updated price lists or supplementary MRPs at retail or online shops, and make sure the final billed price reflects the new tax.
3. Watch delivery times and logistics details, especially if you’re in a Tier II/III area where infrastructure improvements might be newer.
4. Take advantage of early-access sales if you’re a loyalty or premium member—these often come with better discounts.

This year’s festive season could deliver double savings: first from the GST rate cut, and secondly from the flurry of sale offers and discounts from e-commerce giants. For consumers, that means spending power is likely to stretch further—if you time your purchases and check your bills carefully.