Regionally, retail growth in December 2025 remained broad-based, with the west recording the strongest performance at 14 per cent
As demand remained steady through the year-end, supported by consistent footfalls and selective discretionary spending across markets, retail sales in December 2025 grew 10 per cent compared to December 2024, marking a continuation of the double-digit momentum recorded during the festive season.
The 67th edition of retail business survey of the Retailers Association of India (RAI) highlighted that regionally, retail growth in December 2025 remained broad-based, with the west recording the strongest performance at 14 per cent. The south followed with 11 per cent growth, while the north reported 10 per cent growth. The east, though relatively slower, still posted a positive growth of 7 per cent.
The distribution of growth across regions reflects a relatively balanced demand environment, with no single geography accounting for a disproportionate share of expansion. Across categories, the survey points to a clear differentiation between consumption-led segments and discretionary categories. Food and grocery, furniture, Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs), sports goods and jewellery recorded double-digit growth during the month.
Quick service restaurants emerged as the strongest performer, registering 16 per cent growth, reflecting sustained preference for convenience and out-of-home consumption. Furniture also reported strong growth, supported by continued home-related upgrades and replacement demand.
Kumar Rajagopalan, Chief Executive Officer, Retailers Association of India, said, “December’s numbers show that consumption has remained stable beyond the festive period, but the variation across categories is becoming more evident. While everyday consumption and experience-led segments continue to perform well, discretionary and upgrade-driven categories are growing more cautiously. This is a phase where execution and value delivery will be as important as topline growth.”
Jewellery recorded 12 per cent growth in December despite elevated gold prices, indicating that wedding-led demand. It is noteworthy that gold prices have risen by nearly 30 per cent over the past two months and overall, there has been an overall quantitative dip in purchases, RAI stated.
In contrast, apparel, beauty and wellness and consumer durables and IT recorded single-digit growth during the month. Consumer durables and IT grew by only 3 per cent, reflecting deferred upgrade cycles and a cautious approach towards discretionary technology spending. Apparel also remained in single-digit territory, pointing to a more value-conscious consumer environment and the influence of pricing structures across segments.
