Retail sales down by 50% in June: Retailers Association of India

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Retail sales fell by 50% in June as the restrictions continued in many parts of the country due to the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The decline is set be lower than what it was two years ago in the corresponding period, according to industry body Retailers Association of India (RAI).

Survey

In its latest business survey, RAI said that the highest decline was in the sports goods category at 66%, while food and groceries had the least dip of just 7% as compared to June 2019.

RAI said that east zone witnessed the biggest decline in June this year at 55% followed by west and south with declines of 50% each and north with a dip of 43% as compared to June 2019 in terms of region.

Though overall retail business declined by 79% as compared to June 2019, the performance in June 2021 was far better as compared to May this year.

Signs of recovery

Beauty, wellness, and personal care category had a fall of 57% in June as compared to same month in 2019. In May this year the category suffered a decline of 87% as against May 2019.

Similarly apparel and clothing dipped by 52% in June this year as compared to the same month in 2019. In May it had a negative growth of 77% as compared to the same month two years ago.

Footwear also recovered slightly with a 61% decline in June. In May, it had a de-growth of 86% as compared to the same month in 2019.

Consumer durables and electronics had a decline of 46% in June as compared to the same month in 2019. This segment had posted a dip of 71% in May as compared to the same month two years ago.

Quick service restaurants which saw a decline of 70% in May as compared to the same month in 2019, had a de-growth of 10% last month as compared to June 2019, said RAI.