Navratri drives record sales across key sectors, GST rate cuts boost festive demand

New Delhi, October 3. Major companies across sectors including automobiles, consumer electronics and fast-moving consumer goods have reported record sales during the Navratri festival period, according to data shared by leading firms. This surge in sales has been significantly supported by recent Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms that sharply reduced tax rates, leading to lower prices for consumer goods, home appliances, air conditioners and vehicles.

As per agency report, the industry witnessed a strong pickup in sales starting September 22, the first day of the implementation of the reduced GST rates. Encouraged by this momentum, manufacturers in the automobile, consumer durables and electronics sectors are expecting double-digit growth in both volume and value during the 45-day festive season, which concludes after Diwali.

Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest car manufacturer, recorded sales of 1.65 lakh units in the first eight days of Navratri, marking its highest sales in a decade. The company expects to touch the two lakh units mark during the festival period. Maruti Suzuki also reported a pending order backlog of around 2.5 lakh units. In comparison, it had sold 85,000 vehicles during last year’s Navratri. Other automobile companies, including Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra and Hyundai Motor India, also registered strong sales during this time.

Home appliance and consumer electronics manufacturers such as LG, Haier and Godrej Appliances achieved double-digit sales growth compared to last year’s Navratri. Haier Appliances India reported a year-on-year growth of nearly 60 percent during the period. Retail giant Reliance Retail also saw its sales rise by 20 to 25 percent compared to last year’s Navratri season.

The combination of tax reductions, competitive pricing, and strong festive sentiment has resulted in robust demand across sectors, setting a positive tone for the remainder of the festive season.