Hindustan Times ST (Mumbai) - Live

After two years, shopping sees an upswing this Diwali

- Payal Gwalani and Jeet Mashru

MUMBAI: After the pandemicin­duced lull of the past two years, this festive season has seen an increase in sales from gold to dry fruit and even homes, industry bodies said.

Dhanteras, considered to be an auspicious time to buy new items, has helped markets see an upswing in footfall and sales.

Gold sales are especially high this year, said Kumar Jain, the spokespers­on for India Bullion and Jewellers Associatio­n, adding that sales may double the usual numbers and reach up to Rs 500 to 550 crore on October 22, which is the first day of the two-day Dhanteras. Besides Diwali, there is an increase in shopping for gold jewellery for the upcoming wedding season.

“In the showrooms, people are buying more affordable and wearable jewellery. Many jewellers have their websites as well as partnering with e-commerce giants which has also given a push to sales,” said Ashish Pethe of Waman Hari Pethe Jewellers, who is also chairman of All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council.

A favourite purchase on Dhanteras, the vehicle, has also seen an uptick in sales. In the last five days alone, 1,547 vehicles have been registered ahead of Diwali according to Regional Transport Office (RTO).

“The next two days will see a surge in vehicle registrati­ons, more on Diwali eve. Every year Dussehra and Dhanteras are the days when there is a demand for vehicle registrati­ons,” a senior RTO official said.

Sachin Mahajan, Maharashtr­a Chairperso­n, Federation of Automobile Dealers Associatio­n, said, “We already reached pre-pandemic level sales during Ganeshotsa­v and Dussehra across all verticals of automobile industry. The market is very buoyant this year.

“The competitio­n in financial markets has led to incentives and discounts which has increased the sale. We hope to see an increase in sales by at least 25% this season provided the availabili­ty of vehicles by manufactur­ers.”

Real estate purchases have

Ș

were registered just in the month of September

Despite rising home loan rates, real estate sales in Mumbai Metropolit­an Region have increased to 14% between Navratri and start of Diwali,” said Keval Valambhia, COO of real estate body CREDAI-MCHI

also seen an uptick, a trend noticeable since September. “New launches in MMR and sales of residentia­l units have increased in September 2022. A total of 86,428 properties were registered in the month of September alone. Despite rising home loan rates, real estate sales in Mumbai Metropolit­an Region have increased to 14% between Navratri and start of

A total of

Diwali,” said Keval Valambhia, COO of real estate body CREDAI-MCHI.

He also pointed out that factors like property prices and income levels have remained stable during the last six months.

The general upbeat mood of the market and the holiday incentives provided by the developers increased sales which are expected to continue on the upward trend, said Valambhia.

“Laptops and tablets are in good demand for this upgradatio­n as are LED TVs, smart TVs, sound systems and home entertainm­ent systems. A lot of holiday bonuses are being spent on buying these devices,” said Mitesh Mody, president of All India Electronic­s Associatio­n.

 ?? ANSHUMAN POYREKAR/HT PHOTO ?? Women buy gold at a store in Kalbadevi on Friday. The price of gold has come down recently so Dhanteras sales are expected to skyrocket
ANSHUMAN POYREKAR/HT PHOTO Women buy gold at a store in Kalbadevi on Friday. The price of gold has come down recently so Dhanteras sales are expected to skyrocket
 ?? ANSHUMAN POYREKAR/HT PHOTO ?? ‘Palais Royale’, a highrise in Worli, lit up for Diwali.
ANSHUMAN POYREKAR/HT PHOTO ‘Palais Royale’, a highrise in Worli, lit up for Diwali.

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