India logs highest Navratri sales in a decade as GST cuts fuel record festive demand

Automobile and consumer electronics makers report sales growth of 25–100% during Navratri, with Maruti Suzuki and Haier leading the surge, government sources said.

India’s consumer economy has clocked its highest Navratri sales in over 10 years, boosted by the Modi government’s NextGen GST reforms that lowered tax rates and made products more accessible, according to government sources.

The rationalisation of GST slabs eased the tax burden across essential and aspirational items, spurring confident spending. Families upgraded cars, home appliances and lifestyle goods, driving a surge in demand that brands described as record-breaking.

Automobile sector: Maruti sets historic benchmark

Automakers were among the biggest winners this Navratri.

Maruti Suzuki reported its best-ever Navratri performance in at least a decade, with sales doubling year-on-year. The company secured 150,000 bookings and expects to touch 200,000 bookings, compared to 85,000 vehicles retailed last Navratri. It delivered 1.65 lakh vehicles in the first eight days of the festival, including a record 30,000 cars on Day 1 alone, marking the company’s best single-day performance in 35 years, government sources said.

Mahindra & Mahindra, which sells popular SUVs like the XUV700 and Scorpio N, posted a 60 percent jump in retails year-on-year.

At Hyundai, strong demand for Creta and Venue pushed SUVs to over 72 percent of total sales, government sources added.

Hero MotoCorp saw showroom footfalls double this Navratri, with particularly strong traction in the commuter two-wheeler segment.

Tata Motors retailed more than 50,000 vehicles, led by Altroz, Punch, Nexon and Tiago models.

Bajaj Auto also reported robust festive sales, according to government sources.

Consumer electronics: Haier, LG and Reliance lead surge

The electronics segment also saw booming demand, with brands posting high double-digit growth.

Haier’s sales soared 85%, nearly exhausting its Diwali stock of 85-inch and 100-inch TVs priced above Rs 2.5 lakh. The company sold 300–350 units of 65-inch TVs daily during Navratri.

LG Electronics India reported “exponential growth” across its product lines.

Reliance Retail, India’s largest retailer, saw 20–25 percent growth year-on-year, with large-screen TVs, smartphones and fashion categories leading sales momentum, government sources said.

Electronics retailer Vijay Sales reported more than 20 percent growth in sales.

Godrej Appliances also saw high double-digit growth this Navratri.

Festive economy outlook

With brands and retailers reporting sales growth between 25 percent and 100 percent, the first half of India’s festive season, spanning Onam, Durga Puja and Dussehra, has emerged as the largest consumption window of the year, accounting for 40–45 percent of total festive sales, according to government sources.

The record-breaking Navratri demand underscores how GST cuts have translated into higher affordability and stronger consumer sentiment, giving India’s consumption-driven economy a powerful festive boost.