Mixed Diwali for automobile, durables and fashion companies

Discretionary categories see some traction in past week though it was lower compared to last year

The curtains are down on the festival of lights. But, this season will probably go down as the toughest for fashion, durable and auto retailers/manufacturers, which log 30 per cent of annual sales this time of the year.

The crucial Diwali week, which concluded on Sunday, saw some discretionary spending by consumers. But, sales were lower compared to last year.

Conversations with multiple retailers and manufacturers in Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai revealed festive fervour was missing in most stores. Organised durable chains said they expected year-on-year sales growth of 12-13 per cent during the week. This was lower than the 15-20 per