Retail business registers 10% growth in February this year, says RAI

Retail business in India grew 10 per cent in February this year compared to the sales level in the same month last year, signalling that the sector is inching towards normalcy, RAI said on Monday.

According to the latest business survey by the industry body Retailers Association of India (RAI), the rise witnessed last month marks a growth of 6 per cent compared to February 2020.

Retail businesses across regions have indicated growth in February 2022, with sales in West India growing 16 per cent against the same month last year, RAI said in a statement.

East India saw a growth of 4 per cent against the year-ago month, while North India grew 17 per cent as compared to February last year.

Similarly, South India also witnessed a growth of 4 per cent against February last year, it added.

Commenting on the findings, RAI CEO Kumar Rajagopalan said, "While the data shows that retail businesses are inching towards normalcy, we need to consider that the growth shown is not adjusted to inflation and the possibility is that some categories are yet to get back quantitative growth".

RAI said most categories are now indicating growth in business generated in February 2022 as compared to the previous two years.

Categories such as consumer durables and electronics, food and groceries and QSR have indicated rapid year-on-year growth of 28 per cent, 19 per cent and 16 per cent, respectively, it added.

Apparels and footwear categories have also indicated double-digit growth with a steady decline in the rate of COVID-19 cases.

"Since most states have now lifted restrictions on store timings and retail operations, one can expect some sense of normalcy to return. However, inflation and the war situation in Ukraine will have some impact on business positivity," RAI said.