Festival Rush: GST Cuts Trigger 35% Surge in AC and TV Sales Ahead of Navratri

India’s festive shopping season has kicked off with a bang as the recent GST rate cut has sparked a massive jump in sales of consumer electronics, particularly air conditioners (ACs) and televisions (TVs). Retailers report record demand just ahead of Navratri, with AC sales rising nearly 20% and TV sales surging by 35% in the past week.

GST Cut Brings Prices Down, Buyers Back

Earlier, room air conditioners (RACs) attracted 28% GST, but under the revised tax regime, the rate has been reduced to 18%. The price drop has immediately translated into higher demand, with shoppers rushing to stores to make the most of the festive offers.

Several dealers reported that their daily sales nearly doubled compared to a regular Monday. N.S. Satish, President of Haier India, confirmed that by 5 PM on launch day, dealer sales were twice the usual numbers. Similarly, Blue Star MD B. Thiagarajan noted that demand has risen 20% compared to September last year, adding that upcoming e-commerce discounts are likely to accelerate sales even further.

TVs Lead the Sales Boom

The television segment has seen the sharpest jump. Avneet Singh Marwah, CEO of SPPL, said that sales of Thomson, Kodak, and Blaupunkt TVs rose between 30% and 35%, with 43-inch and 55-inch models witnessing the highest demand on platforms like Flipkart.

Industry insiders reveal that many customers had been holding off purchases, anticipating the GST cut. Once the new rates came into effect, demand spiked almost overnight.

Dealers Expect Record-Breaking Festive Season

Traditionally, India’s festive season contributes about 35% of the total annual sales of consumer electronics. However, this year, thanks to the GST cut, dealers predict the figure could soar to 60–70%, setting a new sales record for the industry.

With Navratri and Diwali around the corner, retailers expect demand to remain strong. Many anticipate double sales volumes by Diwali compared to the same period last year.

What This Means for Shoppers

For consumers, the GST cut has made big-ticket purchases more affordable at a time when discounts and festive deals are at their peak. With e-commerce platforms set to roll out mega-sale events, shoppers are likely to see even more competitive pricing on electronics.

Bottom Line

The GST rate reduction has delivered an early festive gift for both consumers and retailers. With air conditioner and television sales already climbing at record levels, the upcoming weeks could witness one of the biggest festive shopping booms India has ever seen.