Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Indian Retailers Report Steady August Growth Ahead of Festival Season
Indian stores had a stronger August than they did earlier in the year.
Their sales were 10% higher than in August last year.
Sales growth had fallen to 5% in May but improved each month afterward.
Restaurants that serve food quickly and grocery stores performed especially well.
Clothing, footwear, jewelry, and personal-care businesses also grew.
Furniture grew more slowly, while electronics remained stable.
Retailers are preparing for the festival shopping season.
They feel hopeful about shoppers in India but remain careful because of uncertainty around the world.
Retailers recorded average year-on-year growth of 10% in August 2026, according to the Retailers Association of India.
Growth improved from 5% in May to 6% in June, 8% in July, and 10% in August.
West India led regional growth at 11%, followed by South India at 10%, North India at 9%, and East India at 8%.
Quick service restaurants grew 15%, while food and grocery sales increased 12% year-on-year.
The Retailers Association of India described demand as stable but maintained caution because of global macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties.
- Who
- Retailers in India, represented by the Retailers Association of India, and categories including restaurants, grocery, apparel, and electronics.
- What
- Retail sales grew an average of 10% year-on-year in August 2026.
- When
- August 2026, with the findings published on September 23, 2026.
- Where
- Across India; West India recorded the strongest regional growth.
- Why
- The growth was supported by essential and routine purchases and came as retailers prepared for the festival season.
- Overall August growth
- 10% year-on-year across India
- Monthly growth trend
- 5% in May, 6% in June, 8% in July, and 10% in August
- Regional leader
- West India, at 11% growth
- Fastest-growing category
- Quick service restaurants, at 15% growth
- Food and grocery growth
- 12% year-on-year
- Slowest reported category
- Furniture and furnishing, at 4% growth
- Same-store spending
- The RAI-Innoviti SANKET report recorded 9.6% growth in August, up from 7.1% in July