Consumer firms see demand uptick but await Diwali sales for full picture

In consumer durables, demand was somewhat affected by unseasonal rains during Dusshera, according to Nilesh Gupta, managing director of Vijay Sales

With just a fortnight to go for Diwali, the countdown has begun for the biggest shopping season in the country. But the mood is still not quite upbeat.  

“I am cautiously optimistic on how Diwali demand pans out,’’ said Mayank Shah, vice president at Parle Products. Typically, shopping picks up momentum two to three days before Diwali, according to Shah. “It is too early to say anything at this point.’’

He explained that while there was a 6-7 per cent increase in volume compared to last year in the first few days of the month which coincided with festivals,