In New Delhi, India’s Diwali sales have reached an all-time high of Rs 6.05 lakh crore, which includes Rs 5.40 lakh crore from goods and Rs 65,000 crore from services, as reported by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on Tuesday. This data is based on a nationwide survey conducted by CAIT’s research wing, covering 60 major distribution centers across state capitals and Tier 2 and 3 cities. In comparison, last year’s Diwali sales were recorded at Rs 4.25 lakh crore. Significantly, mainline retail, especially non-corporate and traditional markets, accounted for 85 percent of the total sales, highlighting a strong revival of India’s physical markets and small traders.
Sales percentages for key festive items included Grocery & FMCG at 12 percent, Gold & Jewellery at 10 percent, and Electronics & Electricals at 8 percent, among others. CAIT’s national president, B C Bhartia, mentioned that the services sector contributed Rs 65,000 crore, which encompassed packaging, hospitality, cab services, travel, event management, and more. The report indicated that 72 percent of the traders surveyed linked the increased sales to lower GST rates on everyday items like footwear, garments, and consumer durables. Consumers reported higher satisfaction with stable prices, which fostered continued festive spending. The surge in sales is expected to persist through the winter wedding season and upcoming festivities starting mid-January.
Furthermore, CAIT noted that Diwali 2025 trade generated 50 lakh temporary jobs in logistics, packaging, transport, and retail services.