In March 2026, the Centre for Digital Public Goods (CDPG) at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore received a work order from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to undertake a five-month study examining the impact of e-commerce platforms on small shopkeepers and traders across select urban cities. The study focuses on key indicators such as customer footfalls, sales volume, transaction value, merchandise mix, financial performance, digital capabilities, and operational changes arising from evolving online shopping trends. The research methodology combines quantitative analysis of field data with qualitative insights gathered from industry associations, trade bodies, experts, consumer forums, and published sources. A pilot data collection exercise was conducted in Hosur during the last week of April, while the primary phase of fieldwork is scheduled to begin in the second week of May and continue through the end of June.