Parul
CAIT projects Holi 2025 business to exceed ₹60,000 crore: The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has projected Holi 2025 business turnover to cross ₹60,000 crore, marking a 20 per cent increase from last year’s ₹50,000 crore. Delhi is expected to contribute over ₹8,000 crore to this festive trade surge.
Praveen Khandelwal, Secretary-General of CAIT and BJP MP from Chandni Chowk, highlighted that traders and customers have once again boycotted Chinese goods during Holi sales this year. “Only Indian-made products like herbal colors, gulal, water guns (pichkaris), balloons, sandalwood, pooja materials, apparel, and other festive items are dominating the markets,” he stated.
The festival has sparked increased consumer spending across several sectors, including sweets, dry fruits, gift items, flowers, clothing, groceries, FMCG products, and consumer durables, CAIT noted in an official release.
White T-shirts, kurta-pajamas, salwar suits, and Holi-themed apparel are seeing particularly high demand. T-shirts emblazoned with “Happy Holi” are also popular among buyers.
Khandelwal emphasised that festivals like Holi play a crucial role in boosting economic activities. “Holi stimulates trade, especially benefiting local businesses, small traders, and the MSME sector,” he said, adding that this year’s festival is proving to be highly lucrative for traders and retailers nationwide.
In Delhi, Holi celebrations are in full swing, with banquet halls, farmhouses, hotels, restaurants, and public parks booked out for various events. “More than 3,000 Holi Milan celebrations are being organised in Delhi alone, spreading joy and enthusiasm,” Khandelwal said.
Markets across the capital are decked out in festive decor, drawing large crowds. Shops are witnessing heavy footfall, particularly for gulal, pichkaris, and other Holi essentials.
Sweet shops, too, are reporting a massive uptick in sales, especially for seasonal favorites like gujiyas. “Holi is not just a festival of colors, but also of food and delicacies,” Khandelwal remarked.
He informed that Holika Dahan will be held on March 13, with the festival of colors celebrated on March 14 this year. Markets are already abuzz with shoppers purchasing colorful gulal, gujiya garlands, dry fruits, and water guns.
This year, herbal gulal and natural colors are preferred over chemical-based ones, reflecting growing consumer awareness. Meanwhile, demand for water balloons and pichkaris has surged. Markets are stocked with a variety of unique and trendy water guns, ranging from ₹100 to ₹400. Popular character-themed pichkaris, including Spider-Man and Chhota Bheem, are especially popular among children. Spray-based gulal is also seeing high demand.
Khandelwal concluded by highlighting that Holi not only celebrates colors and togetherness but also provides a significant boost to India’s economy by promoting indigenous products and supporting local businesses.
