Weekday transactions reveal a major behavioural shift — Indians are choosing to spend on indulgences and experiences throughout the week, not just the weekend
INDIA, Bengaluru, 3rd April 2025: Razorpay POS, the offline payments arm of Razorpay, India’s Leading Omnichannel Payments and Banking Platform for Businesses – analysed millions of weekday in-store transactions across its network of over 500,000 merchant touchpoints between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. The findings of Razorpay POS’s Annual In-Store Payments report titled ‘Every Day’s A Weekend’ reveal that India is no longer reserving indulgence for the weekends. From Tuesday café catch-ups to Wednesday staycations and Thursday shopping sprees, Indians are choosing to spend in ways that prioritise spontaneity, joy, and everyday celebration. The lines between weekdays and weekends aren’t just blurring – they’re being redrawn.
All findings are based exclusively on weekday (Monday to Friday) in-store transactions processed via Razorpay POS between April 2024 and March 2025. Growth percentages are a comparison between FY’25 and FY’24 (unless specified otherwise).
Here are some key insights:
- Because Looking Good Can’t Wait Till Friday: Self-care is no longer restricted to weekends! Apparel spending rose by 29%, and transactions at salons & spas increased by 27%, reflecting India’s growing penchant for feel-good spending throughout the week in FY’25. And for that extra sparkle, jewellery shopping took center stage, with purchases surging by 43% in FY’25. Notably, 55% of payments at jewellery shops were made through cards, highlighting that when it comes to big-ticket buys, card swipes continue to dominate.
- Hobbies in Full Bloom: Hobbies are no longer just weekend affairs – they’re an everyday priority! With garden supply store payments soaring by 79% and bookstore transactions up by 27% in FY’25, it’s clear that personal time is taking center stage, even on busy workdays. From picking up a new novel to nurturing a green corner at home, Indians are intentionally carving out time for joy, not just chores. This shift reflects a growing desire to balance productivity with passion, proving that life’s little pleasures deserve a spot in the daily routine.
- Turning Errands into Escapes: Everyday errands are no longer just a chore – they’re a chance to unwind! With in-store shopping transactions up by 34% in FY’25, routine shopping has transformed into a mini escape. Whether it’s browsing the aisles after work or a quick, mood-boosting mall run, consumers are reimagining ordinary routines with a touch of everyday joy.
- Weekday Catch-Ups Are Brewing Strong: India’s love for stepping out isn’t waiting for the weekend anymore. With spending at cafes and restaurants surging by 25% and dining out across metro cities increasing by 33% – led by Delhi with a remarkable 78% rise in FY’25 – weekday catch-ups over coffee or comfort food are becoming the new norm. Whether it’s a Tuesday team lunch or a Thursday dinner date, dining out has evolved from being an occasional indulgence to more of an everyday connection.
- Say hello to the Midweek Getaway: Indians have redefined the way they unwind, turning midweek breaks into the new travel trend! With hotel bookings surging by 29% during weekdays in FY’25, travel is no longer reserved for weekends. Red-letter days on the calendar aren’t the only holidays anymore. Catching mini breaks and going on staycations or vacations have become the new normal as Indians paint the days in the hues of their choice. The flexibility of remote work and the growing focus on work-life balance have inspired spontaneous midweek escapes — a clear sign that rest and recharge are now part of the regular workweek rhythm.
Reflecting on the trends, Kunal Gothivarekar, Head of Razorpay POS, said, “India’s spending habits are undergoing a fundamental shift—weekdays are no longer just for necessities; they’re for experiences, indulgences, and everyday celebrations. As consumers prioritize experiences over routine purchases, sectors like retail, hospitality, and lifestyle are seeing a surge in engagement. This evolution calls for a payment ecosystem that is not only seamless but also intelligent and adaptive. At Razorpay POS, we are reimagining in-store payments with a future-ready approach, one that blends speed, security, and omnichannel convenience. As businesses navigate this transformation, our goal is to ensure that every transaction, whether in a bustling metro or a growing tier II town, is frictionless and future-proof, driving India’s next phase of offline commerce.”
As India embraces a new rhythm of everyday indulgence, the in-store experience must evolve to match. With innovations like UPI-enabled POS devices, AI-powered checkouts, barcode scanning, digital billing, and seamless omnichannel integrations, Razorpay POS is building the infrastructure for this shift — ensuring payments remain fast, secure, and effortless. Since its acquisition of Ezetap in August 2022 (now Razorpay POS), the company has evolved into a comprehensive omnichannel payment platform for both online and offline businesses. With a vision to scale 4–5X over the next four years, Razorpay POS is focused on expanding access, enhancing offline commerce, and powering the next phase of offline payment adoption across the country.
