RAI reports retail sales saw double digit growth in April, May

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Jun 17, 2022

India’s retail sales increased by around 24% in May compared to May in pre-pandemic 2019 with western India seeing the highest retail growth at 30% and northern India seeing the lowest at 16%. 

All four corners of India have seen retail sales significantly surpass pre-pandemic levels with continued sales growth in April and May this year, the Retailers Association of India announced in a statement, the Press Trust of India reported. After the west of the country, the east’s retail sales grew by 29% and the south grew by 22%, showing that northern India is lagging behind significantly.  

“It is encouraging to see a steady improvement in sales with 23% growth in April and 24% in May as compared to the pre-pandemic levels,” said the RAI’s CEO Kumar Rajagopalan, the Press Trust of India reported. “The worry around inflation continues to exist, however, as of now, customers are willing to come out and shop as socialising is now picking up pace.” 

Categories which performed especially well included clothing and footwear, helped by the approaching summer wedding season and a return to the office, according to the RAI. Footwear sales grew by 30%, apparel grew by 24%, and the beauty and wellness segment grew by 9%. Other retail categories which experienced strong growth included consumer durables and electronics and food and groceries.