Indo-Pak conflict: FMCG sales soar, auto sector hit in border areas in May

Border tensions in May triggered panic FMCG buying and a dip in vehicle, fuel and cinema sales in Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat and J&K, with uneven recovery across sectors

The sale of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) surged, while the automobile sector saw a dip in May in the border states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat, and Jammu & Kashmir, as the fear of a potential war between India and Pakistan led to uneven consumer behaviour, according to available industry data and experts.

 

While panic buying triggered a spike of up to 20 per cent in the FMCG segment, sales of automobiles were severely hit in these states, with market leader Maruti Suzuki being the worst-affected. Cinema halls saw a 50 per cent drop in footfall during the month, while fuel