Relaxation In Pandemic Restrictions Spurred Sales By 28% In March: Retailers Body

Retail sales witnessed robust growth in March with the lifting of pandemic restrictionsNew Delhi: Retail sales in March grew by 28 per cent as compared to the same month last year with the removal of pandemic-related restrictions driving all-round growth of retail businesses across the country, industry body Retailers Association of India (RAI) said on Tuesday.According to the latest retail business survey by RAI, region wise, west showed a growth of 37 per cent, while north clocked a 28 per cent increase. Similarly, east saw a growth of 26 per cent while south registered a 21 per cent increase in overall retail sales in March, 2022.The overall retail sales last month grew by 12 per cent as compared to the pre-pandemic levels of March 2019, RAI said in a statement.In terms of categories, consumer durables and electronics clocked the highest growth at 45 per cent, followed by furniture and furnishing, and food and grocery at 26 per cent each.Sports goods, apparel and clothing categories also posted growth of 26 per cent each, the survey said.While the footwear segment grew by 24 per cent, QSR category saw a growth of 21 per cent last month, it added.”The removal of pandemic-related restrictions has resulted in all-round growth of retail businesses across regions and categories including categories that were hitherto showing weak sales like garments and footwear,” RAI’s CEO Kumar Rajagopalan said.However, “When looking at the performance, one needs to factor in the inbuilt inflation in most products like garments, electronics and some FMCG products,” he added.With the restrictions gone, offices have resumed normal working and consumers are stepping out to catch up on their social lives, RAI said.



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