THE END OF PAPER RECEIPTS: A STUDY ON THE ADOPTION OF DIGITAL INVOICING IN THE RETAIL SECTOR IN INDIA

Abstract

Abstract: The Indian retail sector, currently a USD 1 trillion ecosystem projected to nearly double by 2030, stands at a pivotal juncture of technological and regulatory transformation. This research report provides an exhaustive analysis of the paradigm shift from traditional thermal paper receipts to digital invoicing (e-receipts) within the Business-to-Consumer (B2C) segment. Utilizing a secondary data analysis methodology underpinned by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), this study synthesizes market data, legal statutes, and environmental reports to evaluate the viability of a "paperless" retail economy. The research identifies three primary drivers accelerating this transition: the fiscal imperative of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council's 2024 pilot for B2C e-invoicing; the compliance pressures of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, which challenges the legality of unconsented data collection; and the critical environmental health risks posed by Bisphenol A (BPA) and Bisphenol S (BPS) toxicity in thermal paper. While the India e-invoicing market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 21.3% through 2033, the study reveals significant structural barriers, including the "privacy paradox" among Indian consumers, digital literacy gaps in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, and the operational inertia of the unorganized sector. The report concludes that while the "end of paper" is not immediate, it is inevitable, contingent upon the development of trust-based, non-intrusive data collection protocols and the continued integration of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) infrastructure.