India's retail sales show resilience with 8% growth in July: RAI

Region-wise, east, west, and south India witnessed a steady sales growth of 8 per cent year-over-year (YoY) in July, with the north slightly behind at 7 per cent.

Apparel, jewellery, sporting goods and furniture each grew by 9 per cent YoY, pointing to resilient discretionary spending. In comparison, footwear, beauty and wellness clocked 5 per cent growth.

The survey highlighted sustained consumer demand across categories, reinforcing resilience in India’s retail ecosystem despite macroeconomic pressures. Retailers are optimistic that the upcoming festive season will further accelerate sales momentum across both discretionary and essential categories.

“Retail sales in July 2025 grew 8 per cent year-on-year. For the past three months, growth has held steady at 7–8 per cent, which is higher than what we were seeing at the start of the year. This suggests that consumers are spending a little more on discretionary products, and retailers will be watching closely to see if this continues through the festive season. Global uncertainties remain a factor, and GST reforms are still under discussion, so their impact is yet to be seen. The industry is moving ahead with cautious optimism,” Kumar Rajagopalan, chief executive officer (CEO) of RAI said in a press release.

The latest survey findings arrive as the retail sector keeps a close watch on upcoming policy shifts while preparing for the festive season, traditionally the biggest driver of annual sales. Retailers remain optimistic about steady consumer sentiment but exercise caution amid evolving tax regimes, global headwinds, and shifting consumption trends.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)