India’s Retail Media Networks Set to Reach Rs 30,000 Crore by 2026, Shifting Digital Strategies – Monday, December 29, 2025

India's retail media networks (RMNs) are poised to manage Rs 30,000 crore by 2026, signaling a major shift in digital strategy within the retail sector. This growth highlights the increasing importance of data-driven advertising as retailers capitalize on their rich customer data and relationships to drive targeted marketing efforts.

Who should care: VPs of retail, store operations leaders, eCommerce directors, customer experience teams, and retail technology decision-makers.

What happened?

India's retail media networks are experiencing rapid expansion, with forecasts projecting management of Rs 30,000 crore by 2026. This surge is positioning RMNs as a cornerstone of digital strategies for retailers nationwide. The driving force behind this transformation is retailers’ growing awareness of the strategic value embedded in their customer data. By harnessing these insights, retailers are crafting highly targeted and effective advertising campaigns that not only boost customer engagement but also open up new revenue streams. Retail media networks enable retailers to monetize their customer data by offering advertisers precise targeting capabilities based on rich consumer insights. This marks a significant evolution where retailers move beyond traditional product sales, focusing instead on leveraging their data assets to generate additional income. The rise of RMNs in India mirrors a global trend where retailers are evolving into media owners, using their platforms to provide advertisers with unparalleled access to consumer behavior and preferences. This development is especially noteworthy given the vast scale and growth potential of the Indian retail market. With digital adoption and eCommerce expanding rapidly, retailers are uniquely positioned to capitalize on these shifts by embedding RMNs into their core business models. As a result, RMNs are becoming a critical lever for retailers aiming to deepen customer relationships while diversifying their revenue base in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Why now?

The acceleration of retail media networks in India aligns with the broader shift toward data-driven digital advertising. Over the past 18 months, retailers have increasingly recognized their data as a valuable asset capable of unlocking new revenue opportunities. This realization coincides with the rapid growth of eCommerce and digital consumer engagement across the country, which has intensified the need for more personalized and efficient marketing approaches. At the same time, the ongoing digital transformation across industries is prompting businesses to rethink how they connect with consumers. Retailers are integrating RMNs into their strategies to meet rising expectations for targeted, relevant advertising, while also creating sustainable revenue models that leverage their unique data advantages. This convergence of factors makes now the ideal moment for retailers to invest in and scale their retail media networks.

So what?

The emergence of retail media networks in India is set to redefine the digital advertising ecosystem by placing retailers at the forefront of data-driven marketing. This shift empowers retailers to unlock new revenue streams while simultaneously enhancing the customer experience through more personalized and relevant advertising. Strategically, RMNs position retailers to compete more effectively against traditional digital advertising platforms by offering advertisers exclusive access to first-party data and highly targeted reach. This competitive edge can translate into stronger partnerships with brands and advertisers, increased monetization opportunities, and deeper customer loyalty.

What this means for you:

• For VPs of retail: Explore integrating RMNs into your digital strategy to boost customer engagement and create additional revenue channels.
• For eCommerce directors: Utilize RMNs to enhance advertising efficiency by improving targeting accuracy and optimizing spend.
• For customer experience teams: Leverage insights from RMNs to tailor customer interactions, driving satisfaction and loyalty.

Quick Hits

• Impact / Risk: The growth of RMNs could disrupt traditional digital advertising models, enabling retailers to monetize their data in new ways.
• Operational Implication: Retailers must invest in technology and develop expertise to effectively manage and capitalize on RMNs.
• Action This Week: Assess current digital advertising strategies for RMN integration opportunities; update executive teams on potential benefits and impacts.