How quick commerce is driving the surge in induction cooktop orders amid LPG concerns

Rising tensions in West Asia are beginning to ripple through LPG supply chains, prompting concerns about cylinder availability in India. As uncertainty grows, households and restaurants are increasingly looking for dependable alternatives to keep their kitchens running smoothly. This has resulted in a sharp rise in demand for induction stoves and compatible cookware, as consumers seek reliable alternatives amid supply concerns.

The trend comes at a time when concerns around LPG availability have triggered panic buying of electric cooking devices across several cities. Retailers and online platforms have reported that induction cooktops are increasingly going out of stock as consumers rush to secure backup cooking options.

Industry executives say the sudden spike reflects growing anxiety around cooking gas supply disruptions, prompting households to hedge their kitchen needs with electric appliances such as induction cooktops, rice cookers and electric kettles.

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BigBasket data indicates a sharp shift in consumer behaviour towards alternative cooking solutions. Seshu Kumar Tirumala, Chief Buying and Merchandising Officer at BigBasket, said induction cooktops have seen a significant surge in demand, recording a fivefold jump on 10 March and a 30-fold spike on 11 March. The sharp increase signals how households are rapidly turning to electric cooking appliances as a contingency during the current gas supply uncertainty.

“In contrast, the rest of the kitchen appliance categories are growing within +10% of their usual BAU (business-as-usual) growth levels,” Tirumala noted, adding that the spike is largely concentrated around induction-based cooking alternatives.

The shift also highlights how quickly consumer behaviour can change during supply disruptions, with induction cooking moving from a convenience appliance to an essential backup in many households. If supply uncertainty persists, industry players expect demand for induction-based cooking solutions to remain elevated in the coming weeks, as households look to secure reliable alternatives to LPG.

An industry insider explained how crises have a very interesting effect on consumer behaviour.

"They compress decision making. What might normally be a considered purchase suddenly becomes an immediate problem solving decision. When something like an LPG shortage happens, consumers are not browsing categories, they are looking for quick substitutes that help them continue their daily routines. That is why you suddenly see spikes in products like induction cooktops and electric kettles. In that moment, they are not aspirational purchases, they are functional bridges that restore normalcy at home."

According to the insiders's marketing lens, the role then is less about persuasion and more about relevance: "The brands that win are the ones that surface the right solution quickly, reduce discovery friction, and clearly communicate utility. In many ways, crises shift marketing from persuasion to service, and when a brand helps people navigate a disruption in their daily life, the trust built in that moment tends to last far beyond the crisis itself."

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Bombay Gas Light Stores has also witnessed a sharp spike in demand for induction cooktops, reflecting the broader consumer shift toward alternative cooking solutions. Sharing his experience on Instagram, Nasser Saleh highlighted that the surge is not limited to online platforms but is also being strongly felt at neighbourhood retail stores.

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A post shared by Nasser Saleh (@nasser__saleh)

In a video conversation with his father, who runs the store, Saleh noted that the shop typically sells two to three induction cookers a day, but over the last two days more than 100 units were sold, with several more being billed at the counter when he recorded the video. He added that his father had anticipated the spike and placed an order for additional induction stoves five days in advance, allowing the store to meet the sudden rush. The store also saw increased demand for induction-compatible cookware, including cookers that can be used directly on induction stoves, indicating that the surge in demand extends beyond just the appliances themselves.

As concerns over LPG supply continue, many households are quickly switching to induction cooktops as a reliable backup. The trend shows how consumers adapt fast when everyday essentials feel uncertain.