New Delhi, September 02: Delhi is the most affluent city across India followed by Bangalore and Greater Mumbai, a recent survey says.
The Nielsen Upper Middle and Rich (UMAR) survey was conducted across 35 Indian cities and covered 18,250 affluent individuals. It used a new method of defining ‘affluence’ that is based on lifestyle and consumer durables’ ownership of a household rather than factors like monthly income, education and others.
The other seven in the list of top 10 affluent cities are Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Kochi, Pune, Jaipur and Ahmedabad.
According to the survey, “The affluent individuals work out at gyms, visit spas and beauty parlors and for them shopping is a craze.”
The survey estimated India has a total of 2.5 million affluent households, of whom 2.2 million belong to the Upper Middle segment – households that own a car and a computer – but without an LCD or a holiday abroad.
Upper-Upper Middle segment consists of some 200,000 households and are the owners of a car, a computer, an LCD but miss a holiday abroad.
The Rich segment makes up about 100,000 households in the affluent pie, all owners of a car, a computer, an LCD and holidayers abroad.
The survey revealed that even though nearly half of affluent Indian consumers received schooling in English, they spoke at home regional Indian languages.
“English is the preferred language for newspapers but television is tuned more in regional languages. Nearly 67 percent watch movies outside home and nearly 55 percent use internet at home,” it said.
“Nine in 10 affluent individuals own a house, three-quarters have a fully automated washing machine, and nearly two in five affluent individuals have a home theatre and modular kitchen,” it added.
As per the survey, radio consumption is also very high among affluents, especially among the Rich segment.
“The Rich segment also watches more movies outside home than other affluent segments. Magazine reading is not very strong among the affluent, and more than six in 10 individuals do not read magazines,” the survey said.
The survey also revealed that the affluent individuals work out at gyms, visit spas and beauty parlours. Three out of 10 individuals visit a parlour or spa once a month.
“Fine dining is high among this section of society and eight in 10 individuals go out for meals. Shopping is also a craze — nine in 10 shop at modern retail stores, the articles of interest being footwear, jewellery, handbags, sunglasses, cosmetics, fragrances, pens and watches to name a few,” the survey said.
“Overall, the economic slowdown has not impacted the spending habits of affluent individuals. However luxury accessories and travel/vacations are items where individuals have curtailed spending as compared to other items,” a statement said here.
—IANS