Retail Businesses Grow 24 pc in May against Pre-Pandemic Level

The retail businesses across India witnessed a growth of 24 percent in May this year against the pre-pandemic level of the same month in 2019, according to industry body RAI. As per the latest 'retail business survey' by the Retailers Association of India (RAI), sales in western India grew by 30 percent, while eastern India showed a growth of 29 percent compared to the pre-pandemic sales levels in May.

Similarly, southern India posted a rise of 22 percent and northern India grew 16 percent, it added.

Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO of RAI said, "It is encouraging to see a steady improvement in sales with 23 percent growth in April and 24 percent in May as compared to the pre-pandemic levels."

Categories such as garments and footwear have begun to do well on account of the ongoing wedding season and resumption of work from the office, he added.

"The worry around inflation continues to exist, however, as of now, customers are willing to come out and shop as socializing is now picking up pace," Rajagopalan further said.

RAI said sales across categories continue to indicate steady growth. With outdoor activities picking up, categories such as quick-service restaurants (41 percent) and footwear (30 percent) are indicating rapid growth, and segments like beauty and wellness (9 percent) have also started to show positive growth.

Consumer durables and electronics sales grew 15 percent in May compared to the same month in 2019, while apparel and clothing also witnessed a growth of 24 percent, according to the RAI survey.

The food and grocery category clocked 23 percent growth, and sports goods rose by 24 percent, it added.