Consumers are individuals or entities engaged in the purchase of goods and services by the full or partial payment of cash or have made a promise to pay the defined amount after a specified period of time. Consumers are largely oppressed by the sellers and manufacturers by hoarding, the black market, and other malpractices. These malpractices and exploitations have led to the emergence of various consumer movements throughout the country.

The situation in which the buyers do not receive the benefits and services according to the buyer's value or the situation in which the sellers receives or charges the value of commodities higher than its value is known as consumer exploitation. Consumer movement largely arises because of the dissatisfaction and oppression faced by them in the market. The absence of proper Redressal mechanism forced them to organise themselves for the protection and achievement of their rights.

For many years, it was believed that the consumers were responsible for ensuring that they remained safe from exploitations from the sellers. But because of the development of consumer movements across the world and by the changes in the country's social structures, the consumers started organising themselves collectively to form dominant consumer movements. Thus the consumer movements in India can be characterized as a social movement.

The consumer movement emerged as a social force with the participation from a variety of social group. With the problems of hoarding and other malpractices in the rise in the late 1960s, the consumers slowly started coming together to claim their rights and protection from the exploitative practices of the sellers. The consumer movement involved publishing articles, writing in papers, holding meetings and many other exhibitions throughout the country.

The spread of the consumer movement was very rapid throughout the country. The business firms and the government were forced to conduct business in a fair manner and ensure the protection of their rights. This finally led to the enactment of Consumer Protection Act in 1986.

The consumer movement is still spreading in the country. The success of the movement will ensure the ethical practices by the business houses and firms.