Smart search, virtual try-on: How AI assistants drive Millennials vs GenZ shopping style this festive season

According to InMobi advertising's The Marketer's Guide To India’s Festive Season 2026, “Millennials show more interest (82%) than Gen Z (71%) in AI-based recommendations.”

A new survey revealed that AI-assisted brand discovery, product comparison and purchase decisioning are reshaping the buyer journey.

According to InMobi advertising's The Marketer's Guide To India’s Festive Season 2026, four in five of those surveyed want an AI shopping assistant for the festive season.

The report claimed 79 percent of the participants were interested in shopping via a personalised smart TV ad with virtual try-on.

Harsh Somaiya, Co-founder and CEO, The Bear House, was quoted as saying in the report, "Nearly 75% of our users are actively engaging with the virtual try-on feature. Instead of just looking at photos of models, customers upload a photo and see themselves in the clothes. If you are a founder looking to increase average order value and customer engagement, implementing Glance AI is something I’d suggest immediately.”

The most, 89 percent, of AI features shoppers are most likely to try "Smart search suggestions", 81 percent preferred "virtual product try-on" and "complete the look suggestions", 75 per cent sought "AI-based recommendations" and 73 percent were likely to try "Voice search or chat assistants."

Millennials vs GenZ

"Millennials show more interest (82%) than Gen Z (71%) in AI-based recommendations," the InMobi advertising report revealed.

These findings were from an on-device consumer study conducted by InMobi Advertising from August 7 to August 11, 2026. As many as 1110 people, both Android and iOS users, from Tier 1/2/3/4 cities were surveyed.

It also showed that "the generation with the largest spend appetite" is Millennials. "27% are ready to spend ₹25,000 to ₹50,000 this festive season. Gen X comes second (17%), followed by Gen Z (16%). Budget growth is also higher among Millennials (85%) than Gen Z (71%),"

Akriti Anand