India's festive season is witnessing record consumer spending during Navratri and Dussehra, with households favouring premium products across categories from electronics to fashion. Smartphones priced above ₹20,000, large televisions, washing machines, premium furniture and AI-powered appliances saw a sharp rise in demand, highlighting the country's ongoing trend of "premiumisation".
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Industry executives credit the recent Goods and Services Tax (GST) cuts with boosting purchasing power. Sales of mass apparel and footwear, long under pressure, picked up as affordability improved. Liberty Shoes' managing director Anupam Bansal noted a 15–20% sales increase, particularly in the ₹1,000–₹3,000 range.
Durables such as air conditioners, washing machines and large televisions reported strong growth. Blue Star said AC sales were "exceedingly well", with many consumers shifting to energy-efficient 5-star models. Vijay Sales recorded a 20% year-on-year rise, while Godrej Enterprises Group saw nearly 30% growth in non-metro markets.
Furniture also gained momentum, with Godrej Interio reporting a 10% rise in premium sales. Online platforms mirrored the trend: Amazon said smartphones above ₹20,000 grew 50% year-on-year, raising category averages by 30%.
Source: www.msn.com