Online sales of luggage products soar 100% in a year, analysis shows

Unicommerce found that medium and cabin-sized luggage are highly popular among consumers.

The online sales of luggage and bags have surged over 100 percent during the first half of 2023 when compared to the sales volume in the equivalent period last year. While the volume grew more than 100 percent, GMV (gross merchandise volume) grew over 150 percent during the same period.

As per the insights shared by Unicommerce eSolutions Private Limited, an e-commerce enablement SaaS platform, based on orders processed by it during this period, a combination of factors led to this significant increase.

Unicommerce, which serves the majority of India’s leading luggage brands including VIP and Safari Bags, said: “A combination of factors, including a resurgence in leisure and business travel, heightened consumer trust in online channels, and the emergence of several D2C brands is contributing to the rapid growth in the luggage category.”

The items found to be most in demand are duffles and rucksacks, which are popular among people taking short trips as well as gym-goers. Medium and cabin-sized luggage have also remained highly popular among consumers through this period. Additionally, shoppers have been found to be enthusiastic about purchasing baggage accessories such as luggage tags, neck pillows, luggage weight scales, and toiletry bags.

Deepak Bartwal, VP of Supply Chain Management, Safari Industries Limited, said: “With e-commerce playing an important role in today’s world, Safari has been driving its online vertical to reach a wider audience. We are glad to partner with Unicommerce as our technology platform to automate our e-commerce operations.”

“The rising popularity of luggage and related items on online platforms and brand websites is an indicator of both buyers and sellers reposing their faith in the online discovery and purchase experience,” Unicommcerce said.

Earlier this year, the Managing Director of VIP Industries told CNBC-TV18 in an interview that travel resumption and the wedding season had provided a major boost to VIP Industries in the last fiscal. However, on August 2, the company reported a 16 percent YoY fall in consolidated net profit to Rs 57.75 crore for the quarter that ended in June 2023, whereas total revenue rose nearly 8 percent on the year to Rs 636.13 crore.