- Navratri sales hit highest levels in over a decade
- Maruti Suzuki doubles deliveries with record single-day sales
- Mahindra, Tata Motors and Hyundai report strong SUV demand
- Hero MotoCorp footfall doubles and Bajaj Auto sees strong sales
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 3rd Oct: India’s consumer economy has recorded its highest Navratri sales in over a decade, driven by the Modi government’s NextGen GST reforms, which lowered tax rates and increased accessibility of products. These measures encouraged consumer spending, leading to upgrades in vehicles, home appliances, and lifestyle goods.
Retailers across sectors reported growth ranging from 25 to 100 per cent. The first half of the festive season, covering Onam, Durga Puja, and Dussehra, accounts for 40-45 per cent of total festive sales.
The automobile sector experienced a remarkable surge. Maruti Suzuki delivered 1.65 lakh vehicles in the first eight days of Navratri, including a record 30,000 cars on Day 1, its best single-day performance in 35 years. The company recorded 1.5 lakh bookings and expects 2 lakh by the end of the festival. Mahindra & Mahindra reported a 60 per cent year-on-year rise in SUV sales, while Tata Motors sold over 50,000 vehicles driven by high demand for models like Altroz, Punch, Nexon, and Tiago. Hyundai’s SUV share of sales rose to over 72 per cent, led by Creta and Venue.
Two-wheeler sales surged as well. Hero MotoCorp saw footfall double during Navratri, and Bajaj Auto reported strong sales.
Consumer electronics witnessed substantial growth. Haier’s sales jumped 85 per cent, nearly selling out its Diwali stock of 85-inch and 100-inch TVs, with 300-350 units of 65-inch TVs sold daily. Reliance Retail grew 20-25 per cent over last year, driven by large-screen TVs, smartphones, and fashion, while Vijay Sales and LG Electronics reported over 20 per cent sales growth.
Industry experts attributed this record-breaking festive performance to GST rationalisation and reduced tax burdens, which created an environment of confident consumer spending.
