Major Indian cities will likely record an impressive jump of around 250 per cent this festive season as attractive online discounts, higher fuel prices and abundant online choices are prompting more and more consumers to shop online, according to a newly released Assocham survey.

The survey also listed security concerns among the reasons why more and more Internet savvy Indians are shifting to online shopping this festive season.

DS Rawat, secretary general of Assocham, said, "Online buying trends have witnessed a significant jump this Diwali due to aggressive online discounts, rising fuel prices and abundant online choices keeping shoppers indoors. Plus there are security concerns."

The estimated growth of 250 per cent in online shopping this festive year is based on feedback received from nearly 1,200 traders in cities like Delhi-NCR, Chennai, Mumbai, Lucknow, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Pune, Udaipur, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Cochin and Hyderabad.

Through online shopping, consumers are buying gift articles, electronic gadgets, accessories, apparel, toys, jewellery, beauty products, computer & peripherals and health & fitness products.

Providing further details, the survey said that 38 per cent of regular online shoppers are in 18-28 age group, 52 per cent in 29-38 age group, 8 per cent in 39-49 age-group, while the remaining 2 per cent are in the 50-60 age group.