{
  "id": 11065126,
  "title": "Festive cheer reaches the checkout counter early",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/festive-cheer-reaches-the-checkout-counter-early",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-01T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Economic Times",
    "slug": "the-economic-times",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/retail/buoyant-q2-demand-for-consumer-goods-lifts-festive-sales-outlook/articleshow/134601879.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kolkata witnessed an early surge in festive cheer as consumer demand accelerated in the July-September quarter, according to sales data from air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs) and branded apparel. The growth rate was impressive, with many categories expanding at a double-digit pace. This trend was partly driven by price increases and a low base from the previous year, when GST cuts disrupted sales and distribution for over a month before the new rates took effect on September 22. Despite this, volume growth remained robust even after accounting for the base effect, particularly in consumer durables and apparel.\n\nSales of air conditioners surged more than 25% year-on-year, while refrigerators and washing machines grew by 13-14%, according to manufacturers. Value growth was an additional 2-5 percentage points higher, reflecting the price hikes. FMCG value sales rose by about 9%, and branded apparel sales grew by over 12%. This strong performance was noted by Devarajan Iyer, CEO of departmental store chain Lifestyle, who expressed optimism about a strong festive season. Iyer highlighted the limited old stock, upbeat consumer sentiments, and controlled price increases as contributing factors.\n\nDemand for appliances also expanded during Independence Day, Onam, and Ganesh Chaturthi festivals, suggesting that momentum isn't solely driven by the low base. Godrej Enterprises Group's business head for appliances, Kamal Nandi, echoed this sentiment, expecting the positive trend to continue throughout the festive season. The recent price hikes from brands are not expected to impact consumers significantly, as the trade has a month's worth of old price stock.\n\nEven in daily grocery, personal, and household care segments, sales of beverages, packaged foods, chocolates, confectionery, dairy products, and other commodities rose by 10.8-16.4%. However, home and personal care products grew at a slower, single-digit pace. The overall consumption outlook remains positive, despite higher commodity costs and a weaker rupee amid geopolitical disruptions. Industrial output grew by 8% year-on-year in August, while GDP expanded by 7.8% in the fiscal first quarter.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}