IGI Logo

Retailers Association of India (RAI) in its latest survey has said that retail businesses across India grew 23 per cent in April 2022 in terms of sales as compared to pre-pandemic levels of the same month in 2019 with customers coming back to stores.

In terms of categories, it said the quick service restaurant segment grew the highest at 45 per cent in April 2022 over the corresponding period of 2019, followed by consumer durables and electronics at 26 per cent. Apparel and clothing, and sports goods categories grew by 23 per cent each, while footwear rose by 22 per cent. Food and grocery segment witnessed a growth of 15 per cent and jewellery also saw a rise of 8 per cent in April this year compared to the same month of 2019. However, the beauty, wellness and personal care segment is yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels. It registered a decline of 1 per cent in the period under review as against April 2019.

RAI said while most of the categories have shown good performance, it is important to note that about 10 per cent of this growth can be accounted to inflation. It hope that this continues since the headwinds, thanks to inflation, could act as a dampener for the upward trajectory.