New Delhi Oct 22 (UNI) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today highlighted the surge in Diwali sales as driven by GST rate cuts and strong demand for ‘swadeshi’ products saying Diwali sales this year touched a record Rs 6.05 lakh crore.
The Finance Minister cited the statement of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) which estimated this year’s Diwali sales comprising Rs 5.4 lakh crore in goods and Rs 65,000 crore in services. As per the Research and Trade Development Society, the research wing of CAIT, this marks a 25 percent spike over the 2024 festive sales of Rs 4.25 lakh crore from the Navratri to Diwali period. Further, this is the highest-ever sales in India’s trading history.
The survey showed that the mainline retail accounted for nearly 85 percent of total sales, indicating a strong revival of the brick-and-mortar market. “During the period of Diwali shopping, e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms recorded sharp demand increases, “with premium products and instant-delivery services driving growth and festival spend extending beyond major cities”, the Finance Minister said.
The reduction in GST rates across key consumer and retail categories such as confectionery, home decor, footwear, and ready-made garments, consumer durables and daily use items significantly improved price competitiveness and increased purchase momentum. Further, about 72 percent of surveyed traders reported higher sales volumes directly attributable to reduced GST.
As per the CAIT data, Diwali trade surge is estimated to have generated temporary employment for nearly 50 lakh people across logistics, transport, retail assistance, packaging, and delivery. Enhanced rural and semi-urban purchasing power contributed nearly 28 percent of overall sales, highlighting deep economic penetration beyond metros.
“Diwali 2025 has set a new benchmark in India’s retail and trading economy symbolising the fusion of tradition, technology, and trust in Indian enterprise,” said CAIT, adding that this year’s Diwali stands as a major milestone in building an ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The reduction in GST rates across key consumer and retail categories such as confectionery, home decor, footwear, and ready-made garments, consumer durables and daily use items significantly improved price competitiveness and increased purchase momentum.
