Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Indian Festive Spending Continues Amid Household Financial Anxiety
A survey asked people in India about their money and plans for the festive season.
More than half said their family finances were worse than a year ago.
Lower-income and rural families were especially likely to report trouble.
Even so, many people still planned familiar festive purchases, such as clothes and sweets.
Fewer people seemed ready to spend on expensive items like appliances or electronics.
Some people planned to pay in instalments, while many said they would avoid major purchases.
About as many respondents were considering a family trip as were staying home.
The survey suggests people still want to celebrate, but are being careful with their money.
In a CVoter survey, 53.6% said their household finances had worsened over the past year, while 11.6% reported improvement.
Financial strain was more common among rural respondents and lower-income households than urban and higher-income respondents.
Traditional purchases remain on the agenda: about 45% planned or had bought clothes, and local sweet shops were a popular choice.
Big-ticket spending appeared cautious: 32.1% said they planned no major purchase, and 21.5% planned or had bought kitchen appliances.
About 47.5% considered a family trip, while 47.5% said they did not plan one; local, nearby and religious trips featured prominently.
- Who
- 2,051 respondents in a nationwide CVoter survey.
- What
- The survey measured household financial sentiment and festive-season spending and travel plans.
- When
- Conducted on 28–29 September 2026, ahead of the festive season.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- To capture consumers’ financial outlook and purchase, shopping and travel intentions for the festive season.
Festive spending continues
Household budgets remain strained
Celebrating versus cutting back
Festive spending continues
Many respondents planned or had already bought festive clothes, and traditional sweets and family trips remained part of many households’ plans.
Household budgets remain strained
More than half said their finances had worsened, 45.4% did not plan to buy new clothes, and 32.1% said they planned no major purchase.
Spending confidence across income groups
Festive spending continues
The survey found greater optimism among higher-income respondents; 26.3% in that group said their financial condition had deteriorated.
Household budgets remain strained
Financial anxiety was stronger among lower-income respondents, 63.2% of whom reported deteriorating finances.
- Survey
- CVoter Snap Poll
- Respondents
- 2,051
- Survey dates
- 28–29 September 2026
- Households reporting worse finances
- 53.6%
- Households expecting finances to improve
- 24.4%
- No plans to buy new clothes
- 45.4%
- Preference for local or nearby markets
- 52.1%
- Preference for online shopping
- 5.6%