New Delhi: India witnessed its highest-ever Diwali sales this year, touching Rs 6.05 lakh crore, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced on Wednesday. The figure marks a 25 per cent jump from 2024, fuelled by increased demand for Indian-made products and the impact of reduced GST rates across several consumer categories.
According to data from the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), the total festive trade comprised Rs 5.4 lakh crore in goods and Rs 65,000 crore in services. This year’s Diwali season has become the largest in India’s retail history, reflecting a resurgence of domestic consumption and market confidence.
The CAIT’s research arm reported that about 85 per cent of total sales came from brick-and-mortar outlets, signaling a revival of traditional retail. Lower GST rates on key categories such as confectionery, home decor, apparel, and consumer durables helped drive price competitiveness. Nearly 72 per cent of traders linked higher sales volumes directly to the tax cuts.
Rural and semi-urban regions contributed around 28 per cent of total sales, highlighting growing purchasing power beyond metros. The surge also created temporary employment for nearly 50 lakh people in logistics, packaging, and retail support roles.
CAIT described Diwali 2025 as a “landmark moment” for India’s trade sector, calling it a step toward strengthening the non-corporate economy and advancing the vision of an ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
