Festive season in India is in full swing and kickstarted with the first day of Navratri on Thursday (October 3). The day marks the onset of a nine-day long festival which people celebrate in their own ways. The festival of Navratri will end with Dussehra or Vijayadashami on Saturday, October 12 this year. This will be followed by various other festivals such as Karwa Chauth, Dhanteras, Diwali, Bhai Dooj, Chhath Puja, and Tulsi Vivah.
Each year, when people are in festive mode, the demand for Indian goods reaches its peak and drives business. And this year, economic activities in the country are set to get an even bigger boost. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) is expecting a significant rise in retail business during the Navratri festival, projecting a 43% increase in sales over the next 10 days.
A CNBC report says that according to CAIT, last year’s 10-day Navratri period saw a business of ₹35,000 crore. This year, the organisation expects an even bigger boost in economic activity across India, with Delhi alone projected to contribute over ₹8,000 crore during the festive season.
The festive period, which began with Ganesh Chaturthi and includes major celebrations like Diwali and Christmas, resulted in a cumulative business of ₹3.75 lakh crore last year, as per CAIT’s data.
Praveen Khandelwal, CAIT’s Secretary General Emeritus and Member of Parliament from Chandni Chowk, pointed out that there is a growing trend among consumers to prefer Indian-made products, especially traditional clothing like sarees, lehengas, and kurtas. Additionally, small vendors selling flowers, lamps, incense sticks, and other festive decorations are also expected to see a boost in demand during this period.
