India’s Diwali Sales Hit Record ₹6.05 Lakh Crore, Driven By Strong Consumer Demand
India’s Diwali festival sales have reached an unprecedented ₹6.05 lakh crore, marking a massive 42% increase from last year’s ₹4.25 lakh crore, according to the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT). This historic figure includes ₹5.40 lakh crore from goods and ₹65,000 crore from services, driven by GST reforms and robust consumer sentiment.
Key Takeaways
- Record ₹6.05 lakh crore Diwali sales, up 42% from previous year
- Traditional markets dominated with 85% contribution to total trade
- Festive season created 50 lakh temporary jobs across sectors
- Rural India accounted for 28% of total trade volume
Traditional Markets Lead Festive Boom
Mainline retail and traditional markets contributed a staggering 85% to the total trade, signaling a powerful comeback for India’s physical markets and small traders. The CAIT survey covered 60 major distribution centers across state capitals and Tier 2 & 3 cities.
Sector-Wise Sales Breakdown
The festive spending was distributed across multiple categories:
- Grocery & FMCG: 12%
- Gold & Jewellery: 10%
- Electronics & Electricals: 8%
- Consumer Durables & Ready-made Garments: 7% each
- Gift Items: 7%
- Home Décor, Furnishing & Furniture, Sweets & Namkeen: 5% each
Services Sector Contribution
CAIT National President B C Bhartia revealed that the services sector added ₹65,000 crore to festive sales through packaging, hospitality, cab services, travel, event management, tent & decoration, manpower, and delivery services.
GST Impact on Consumer Spending
The report found that 72% of surveyed traders directly attributed higher sales volumes to reduced GST rates on daily-use items, footwear, garments, confectionery, home décor, and consumer durables. Stable pricing further encouraged sustained festive spending among consumers.
Rural Growth and Employment
Rural and semi-urban India accounted for 28% of total trade, reflecting deeper economic participation beyond metropolitan areas. The Diwali 2025 trade boom created approximately 50 lakh temporary jobs in logistics, packaging, transport, and retail services.
CAIT expects this festive surge to continue through the winter, wedding season, and upcoming festivals from mid-January, indicating sustained economic momentum.
