New Delhi: India’s festive shopping season is generating business worth more than ₹6 lakh crore, with total Diwali-related trade expected to cross ₹7 lakh crore, according to the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT). Strong demand for gold, silver, jewellery, electronics, automobiles and traditional festive products has driven shopping activity across the country.
In a statement issued on Saturday, November 7, CAIT said Delhi alone had recorded Diwali-related trade exceeding ₹1 lakh crore. Nationwide business had already crossed ₹6 lakh crore, with the traders’ organisation expecting the total to rise further as festive purchases continued.
The shopping rush gathered momentum around Dhanteras, when markets witnessed heavy customer footfall. Consumers bought precious metals, household appliances, clothing, gifts, sweets and decorative items, providing a boost to retailers and businesses across several sectors.
The figures are estimates compiled by CAIT from market feedback and should be understood as trade-body assessments rather than audited national retail sales data. Nevertheless, they point to substantial commercial activity during one of India’s most important shopping periods.
Gold, silver and jewellery lead festive demand
Precious metals and jewellery were among the major drivers of this year’s festive shopping. Gold and silver purchases traditionally increase during Dhanteras and Diwali, when many households consider buying jewellery, coins and other precious-metal products auspicious.
This year’s Dhanteras shopping also benefited from a decline in domestic gold prices. Reuters reported that Indian gold demand picked up on November 6 as the festival coincided with prices near a seven-month low. Local gold prices were around ₹1,41,800 per 10 grams, after touching ₹1,37,863 earlier in the week.
The India Bullion and Jewellers Association expected Dhanteras sales to increase by around 10% compared with the previous year. However, rural demand remained relatively subdued, with weaker farm incomes and drought-related pressures affecting some consumers’ purchasing power.
The combination of festival-related buying and more attractive prices encouraged shoppers to return to jewellery stores. Gold coins and bars also remained popular among consumers looking at precious metals as an investment.
Electronics and home appliances attract buyers
Electronics and household appliances were another important part of the festive shopping rush. CAIT reported strong demand for products such as mobile phones, LED televisions, refrigerators, washing machines and air conditioners.
Festive promotions and the desire to upgrade household equipment often encourage consumers to make larger purchases during this period. Electronics retailers also benefit from customers buying gifts and replacing older devices.
The demand extended beyond personal gadgets to consumer durables used in everyday household activities. Refrigerators, televisions and washing machines remained among the products attracting shoppers to retail outlets.
The performance of these categories is significant for manufacturers, distributors and local retailers. Higher sales can also benefit transportation, warehousing, packaging and installation services associated with large household purchases.
Clothing, sweets and festive decorations add to sales
Traditional shopping categories contributed substantially to the overall business estimate.
Clothing stores reported brisk purchases of sarees, suits, kurtas, readymade garments, children’s clothing and other ethnic wear. Families typically purchase new clothes for the festival, while gifts and apparel remain popular choices during the festive period.
Food and festive essentials also recorded increased demand. Sweets, savouries and other food products were among the items consumers purchased for family celebrations and gatherings.
Markets also saw sales of earthen diyas, decorative materials, idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha, and puja-related products. These purchases support a wide network of small retailers, artisans and seasonal vendors.
Automobiles were another category that attracted customers. CAIT said passenger vehicles, two-wheelers and commercial vehicles witnessed encouraging demand during the festive period.
Swadeshi products and local businesses gain momentum
CAIT also highlighted the demand for Indian-made products, including khadi, handloom goods, handicrafts and locally manufactured decorative items.
Products made by local artisans and women’s self-help groups received support from consumers looking for traditional and locally produced alternatives. The traders’ body linked this trend partly to campaigns such as ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
The shift can benefit smaller manufacturers and sellers who depend on seasonal demand. Handloom workers, craft producers, street vendors and neighbourhood retailers often rely on festive purchases to generate a significant share of their business.
CAIT Secretary General and Member of Parliament Praveen Khandelwal said the rise in consumer spending had benefited businesses across the supply chain. The gains extended beyond shop owners to daily-wage workers, transport operators, packaging companies and logistics providers.
The organisation said the festive season had created opportunities for businesses of different sizes, including those operating in smaller markets and local commercial centres.
Delhi’s festive trade crosses ₹1 lakh crore
Delhi recorded Diwali-related trade of more than ₹1 lakh crore, according to CAIT’s assessment. The national capital’s markets witnessed substantial customer activity during the festive rush, particularly around Dhanteras.
Khandelwal said the strong shopping response had provided fresh momentum to the city’s trading community. He also referred to earlier disruptions caused by political rallies and demonstrations in commercial areas.
While acknowledging that peaceful protests are a democratic right, he said such activities should not obstruct public movement or affect traders’ livelihoods.
Delhi’s performance contributed significantly to the national trade estimate. However, CAIT’s figures also reflect the wider participation of markets across states, cities, towns and smaller commercial centres.
Can India’s Diwali business exceed ₹7 lakh crore?
With nationwide festive trade already estimated at more than ₹6 lakh crore, CAIT expects the total to cross ₹7 lakh crore. Continued customer footfall and purchases across jewellery, electronics, clothing, automobiles and traditional products are expected to support the projection.
The organisation had earlier forecast that festive trade between Navratri and Diwali could exceed ₹7 lakh crore, representing estimated growth of 15–18% over the previous year’s figure of around ₹6.05 lakh crore. That earlier projection covered a wider festive period, while the latest update reflects business reported as the Diwali shopping rush progressed.
The final figure will depend on purchases recorded across the remaining festive shopping period and the way trade is compiled. CAIT’s estimate also covers a broad range of goods and related business activity, rather than only sales at large organised retailers.
For India’s retail economy, the festive season remains an important period for both established companies and small businesses. The latest estimates suggest that demand for precious metals, household products and traditional festive goods has helped markets maintain strong activity, with local traders and supply-chain workers sharing in the seasonal boost.