Delhi’s Diwali trade crossed Rs 1 lakh crore this festive season, while all-India festive कारोबार exceeded Rs 6 lakh crore, according to figures cited by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAT) and reported by Jagran. The estimate points to a strong surge in activity across the capital’s markets, benefiting retailers, small businesses, transporters, workers and other parts of the urban supply chain.
CAT said the national festive trade could rise to Rs 7 lakh crore as buying continues through the post-Diwali period. The organisation attributed the reported figures to strong customer footfall in markets across Delhi and the wider National Capital Region, despite disruptions that traders said had affected business during the previous month.
The report said traders had raised concerns over market protests in Delhi during October and a Congress rally held on November 1. CAT national secretary general and Chandni Chowk MP Praveen Khandelwal said shoppers continued to visit markets and purchase goods despite those disruptions. He thanked Delhi residents and described the phrase “Thank you, Delhi” as a representation of the sentiment among traders and small entrepreneurs.
According to CAT, a notable feature of this year’s festive shopping was the reported preference for Indian-made products. The traders’ body linked the trend to the “Vocal for Local” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” campaigns, saying customers supported products made by Indian artisans, manufacturers, small industries and local entrepreneurs.
The reported trade estimate covers more than retail counters. CAT said the increase in sales generated direct and indirect economic benefits for small and medium-sized traders, street vendors, daily-wage workers, women entrepreneurs, transport operators and packaging businesses. Products made by women’s self-help groups also found greater market access during the festive season, the organisation said.
The figures underline how large festival demand is distributed through Delhi’s commercial ecosystem. Wholesale markets, neighbourhood shops, informal vendors, logistics operators and packaging units are connected through the same seasonal spending cycle. However, the report did not provide a market-wise breakdown, independent sales audit or details of the methodology used to calculate the Rs 1 lakh crore estimate.
CAT said the reported surge may not fully offset losses traders incurred during the preceding month, but added that the buying momentum had improved confidence across the trading community. The organisation also said festive demand would continue after Diwali through Annakut, Bhai Dooj, Chhath Puja, Tulsi Vivah and Guru Nanak Dev’s birth anniversary on November 24.
The next phase of trading will determine whether the national festive estimate moves closer to the Rs 7 lakh crore figure cited by CAT. For Delhi’s markets, the immediate focus will remain on continued customer movement and sales during the remaining festive shopping period.
