The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) anticipates a nearly 43% surge in retail business driven by Navratri celebrations over the next 10 days. With the conclusion of the inauspicious Pitru Paksh and the commencement of Navratri today, festivities such as Ramleela, Garba, Durga Puja, and Dandiya are set to take place during this period.

CAIT’s data suggests that this 10-day period last year had witnessed a business of ₹35,000 crores.

Projecting a boost to overall commercial activity across India, CAIT’s estimates suggest that Delhi alone is expected to witness a business of over ₹8,000 crores during this period. As per data from the CAIT, there was a cumulative business of ₹3.75 lakh crores during the festive season last year.

The season began from Ganesh Chaturthi, followed by Navratri, Vijayadashami, Karwa Chauth, Dhanteras, Diwali, Bhai Dooj, Chhath Puja, Tulsi Vivah, Gurpurab, Christmas and culminated with new year celebrations.

CAIT’s Secretary General Emeritus and Lok Sabha MP from Chandni Chowk, Praveen Khandelwal has indicated that there is a shift in consumer preference towards purchase of Indian goods, and there is a significant increase in demand for traditional clothing like sarees, lehengas, and kurtas.

Apart from rise in demand for fruits, vegetables and other edible products; the mostly unorganised small kiosk owners are also expected to witness a rise in demand for flowers, lamps, incense sticks and decorative materials during the festive season.