Retail sales in India grew 14% in October as compared to October 2019 levels and 34% year-on-year, according to the Retail Business Survey conducted by the Retailers Association of India.

The demand was led by food and groceries, which grew at 31% compared to pre-pandemic levels, followed by the quick-service restaurants’ category that grew 29%. Other categories that saw growth were jewellery with 24% growth, apparel with 6% growth.

However, the furniture and furnishing category contracted 4% and the beauty, wellness and personal care category too contracted 7%, according to the survey.

Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO, Retailers Association of India said that overall October showed a positive trend but to draw definite conclusion, one must wait for November figures too. 

Although, signs are positive and in fact, retail chains have resumed expansions across the country to meet growing demand. 

Retail businesses across regions have indicated growth in sales as compared to prepandemic levels with West India signalling growth of 23%, followed by East India at 13% while North and South India indicate a growth of 10% each as compared to sales levels in October 2019.

As the country achieves inoculation of more than one billion citizens, the retail industry is hopeful of setting a steady pace of recovery during the ongoing festive quarter, the retailers association said