Retail sales rise 11% in Aug-Oct on GST rate cuts, festive demand

FOR THE FIRST time in nearly three years, retail sales have climbed back into double-digit territory, crossing the 10% mark in the August-October period, according to data released on Friday by the Retailers Association of India (RAI).

- VIVEAT SUSAN PINTO

Sales rose 11% for the quarter, driven by a combination of GST cuts and robust festive season demand, RAI, an apex body of organised retailers, said. Retail last posted double-digit growth in February 2023, when sales expanded 15% for the month.

“Retail began the 2025 calendar year with 4—5% growth and moved to 7-8% through April—July following the income tax cuts and lowering of interest rates. The GST Bachat Mahotsav, between August and October, lifted festive-period sales into double-digit territory,” Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO, RAI said.