Indian retail clocks 7% YoY growth in April as RAI flags looming cost pressures
RAI's April 2026 survey shows stable demand with West leading at 9% and South at 8%. Consumer durables and electronics topped categories at 11%, followed by food and grocery at 9%. Industry body warns global cost pressures and cautious discretionary spending could test momentum despite resilient essentials.
RAI survey shows Indian retail grew 7% YoY in April 2026, with West leading regions and consumer durables/electronics leading categories at 11%. Industry body flags global cost pressures and cautious discretionary spending despite stable essential demand.
Why this matters
Follows RAI's Budget 2026 push for tax cuts, GST rationalisation and a National Retail Policy. The 7% print supports its case for policy support amid rising input costs and uneven discretionary demand.
Footfall theme steady with 52 signals in last 90 days, consistent with April's stable demand trend.