GST Reforms Drive India’s Highest Navratri Sales in 10 Years

Business News: India’s consumer economy witnessed its highest Navratri sales in over a decade, propelled by the Modi government’s NextGen GST reforms that reduced tax rates and made products more accessible. These measures not only lowered prices but also unlocked consumer aspirations, enabling families to upgrade vehicles, invest in home appliances, and spend more freely on lifestyle goods, turning festive cheer into record-breaking consumption.

Automobile Sector

Car maker Maruti Suzuki’s Navratri sales grew by 100 per cent, which doubled from last year, and were the best ever in at least a decade. Maruti Suzuki reported 150,000 bookings and expects to reach 200,000 bookings. The company retailed 85,000 vehicles last Navratri.  bMaruti Suzuki also delivered a massive batch of 1.65 lakh vehicles in the first 8 days of Navratri. On Day 1 of Navratri, Maruti delivered a record 30,000 cars, its best single-day performance in 35 years. Mahindra & Mahindra, which sells popular SUVs such as the XUV700 and Scorpio N, saw retail jump 60% year-on-year. At Hyundai, the surge in demand for models like Creta and Venue pushed SUVs’ share of total sales to over 72%. Showroom footfalls of two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp have doubled this Navratri with high traction in the commuter segment. Tata Motors retailed more than 50,000 vehicles during the festive period, with demand from Altroz, Punch, Nexon and Tiago models. Bajaj Auto also reported strong sales during Navratri.

Booming Consumer Electronics Sector

In the consumer electronics space, LG, Haier, and Godrej Appliances reported high double-digit sales growth this Navratri compared to last year. Haier’s sales soared 85 per cent, nearly selling out its Diwali stock of 85-inch and 100-inch TVs priced above Rs 2.5 lakh. The company also sold 300–350 units of 65-inch TVs daily during the period.  Sales at India’s largest retailer, Reliance Retail, grew by 20-25 per cent over last year's Navratri, with categories like large-screen TVs, smartphones, and fashion driving the sales momentum. Electronics retail chain Vijay Sales also saw more than 20 per cent sales growth.

LG Electronics India also noted “exponential growth” in sales this Navratri season. By rationalising GST slabs and easing the tax burden on both essential and aspirational items, the government fostered an environment of confident spending. As a result, brands and retailers reported sales growth ranging from 25% to 100%, marking a major boost for India’s consumption-driven economy. Importantly, the first half of the festive season, spanning Onam, Durga Puja, and Dussehra, accounts for 40–45 per cent of total festive sales, making it the largest consumption period in the country.