Holi 2025 festival market brought nearly ₹60,000 crore sales across India

Holi 2025 has driven a significant surge in business across India, with early estimates indicating a 20% rise in trade compared to last year. According to the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), the festival was expected to generate over ₹60,000 crore in business, up from ₹50,000 crore in 2024. The demand for colours, gulal, water guns, sweets, dry fruits, clothing, and FMCG products remained high, contributing to increased sales for traders and local businesses.

Markets witnessed a sharp increase in footfall, with customers purchasing festive essentials in large quantities. The sale of Indian-made herbal gulal, pooja materials, apparel, and decorative items saw a rise as traders and buyers continued to avoid Chinese goods. CAIT confirmed that only locally manufactured products were sold, aligning with the growing preference for domestic brands in festival shopping.

The apparel market experienced a surge in demand for Holi-specific clothing, including T-shirts with "Happy Holi" prints, kurtas, payjamas, and salwar suits. Gift items such as dry fruits, flowers, and consumer durables also saw strong sales. Additionally, the demand for venue bookings increased as large-scale Holi Milan events were held across the country. Praveen Khandelwal, CAIT Secretary General and BJP MP from Delhi’s Chandni Chowk, stated that Delhi alone hosted more than 3,000 Holi Milan gatherings.

Shops and retail markets recorded heavy sales activity in the days leading up to the festival. Traders from various sectors, including sweets and FMCG, reported higher spending compared to previous years. Small-scale industries and MSMEs also benefited from the increased demand, particularly in the manufacturing of festive products. The business surge was visible in major cities as well as smaller towns, with festival-related purchases driving economic activity.

The festival was celebrated nationwide, with Holika Dahan held on March 13, followed by Holi on March 14. With the conclusion of Holi 2025, traders now await final sales data to assess the overall economic impact. While official figures are yet to be confirmed, early estimates indicate strong consumer spending and significant growth in festival-related trade.