Jaipur: Strong customer footfalls on the opening day of Navratri have boosted traders’ expectations for the festive season, although the shadows of weak equity markets and a deficient monsoon continued to temper optimism ahead of the month-long spending cycle culminating in Diwali.Retailers across Jaipur reported brisk business and encouraging consumer turnout. However, beneath the festive buzz, shoppers appeared willing to spend selectively, prioritising essential and traditional purchases over discretionary spending.“We wanted to install a rooftop solar system this year. That is going to wait. Traditional purchases will continue,” said Rajesh Bhandari, a shopper at Aatish Market.
New traffic system implemented from today for the festive season in Jaipur
Trade bodies estimate business worth nearly Rs 50,000 crore across Rajasthan, including about Rs 10,000 crore in Jaipur, during the Navratri-to-Diwali period, making the coming weeks a key test of consumer sentiment in an economy where urban and rural demand are moving at different speeds.“The macroeconomy is a mixed bag, without a conclusive trend. This is unlikely to play a decisive role in consumer behaviour. That is why we expect business worth around Rs 50,000 crore in the state during the festive season,” said Suresh Agrawal, president of the Federation of Rajasthan Trade and Industry (FORTI).While a deficient monsoon is expected to squeeze farm incomes and weaken rural purchasing power, several sectors are banking on sustained spending by affluent urban households.“The automobile industry is witnessing at least a 30% increase in demand, even though rural demand remains uneven,” said Saurabh Agrawal of the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations.For jewellers, the headwinds are more visible, with rising gold and silver prices threatening demand. However, the industry is adapting to changing consumer preferences.“Earlier, 22-carat jewellery was the default choice. But the new generation has no qualms about shifting to 18-carat or even 14-carat jewellery,” said Sanjay Joshi, a Jaipur jeweller. “For them, aesthetics and celebrating Diwali matter more.”Consumer electronics retailers are reporting similar trends. Sachin Gupta, president of the Jaipur Electronic Trade Association, said the response on the first day of Navratri exceeded expectations.“Whether it is televisions, refrigerators, washing machines or kitchen appliances, demand has been strong across categories despite inflationary pressures. We expect to at least match last year’s sales, and the trend is unlikely to move downward, even if growth is not substantial,” Gupta said.
