Dhanteras 2026 sets record ₹1.25 lakh crore in sales, gold leads at ₹66,000 crore
Synopsis
Dhanteras 2026 broke all previous records with ₹1.25 lakh crore in estimated sales — and gold alone drove over half of that at ₹66,000 crore. With the full Navratri-to-Diwali festive window on course to cross ₹7 lakh crore, this Dhanteras signals that Indian consumer appetite is proving resistant even to record-high precious metal prices.
Key Takeaways
Dhanteras 2026 generated a record ₹1.25 lakh crore in business across India, according to CAIT .
Gold and silver sales crossed ₹66,000 crore , making up nearly 53% of total Dhanteras trade, per AIJGF estimates.
Delhi's bullion market alone contributed over ₹10,000 crore .
Strong demand was recorded across automobiles, smartphones, home appliances, and kitchenware, beyond traditional bullion purchases.
CAIT projects the full Navratri-to-Diwali festive season could exceed ₹7 lakh crore , up 15–18% from last year's ₹6.05 lakh crore .
Dhanteras 2026 generated an estimated ₹1.25 lakh crore in business across India, setting a new all-time record for the country's retail sector, according to the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT). Consumers thronged jewellery markets, automobile showrooms, electronics hubs and neighbourhood stores ahead of Diwali, driving broad-based festive demand that CAIT described as a strong signal of consumer confidence and rising purchasing power.
Gold and Silver Lead the Charge
Precious metal sales alone crossed ₹66,000 crore, accounting for nearly 53 per cent of total Dhanteras trade, according to estimates by the All India Jewellers and Goldsmith Federation (AIJGF). Delhi's bullion market alone is estimated to have contributed over ₹10,000 crore in business.
Despite record-high precious metal prices, demand remained robust — particularly for lightweight jewellery, traditional ornaments, silver coins and investment-led purchases. Traders reported strong interest in 14-carat and 18-carat gold jewellery, alongside silver articles considered auspicious during the festival.
Beyond Bullion: Automobiles, Electronics, and More
Consumers also spent heavily on automobiles, smartphones, laptops, televisions, home appliances, electrical goods, kitchenware and religious items, helping sustain broad-based festive momentum. The variety of purchase categories underscores how Dhanteras has evolved well beyond its traditional association with gold buying into a full-spectrum retail event.
CAIT Secretary General and Chandni Chowk MP Praveen Khandelwal said the strong performance was supported by rising preference for Indian-made products and increased consumer support for local manufacturers, artisans, traders and MSMEs. 'Dhanteras once again demonstrated the strength of India's retail economy,' he said, pointing to heavy footfall across all trade segments.
Festive Season on Track for ₹7 Lakh Crore
The record Dhanteras numbers come against the backdrop of CAIT's earlier projection that total business during the Navratri-to-Diwali festive period could exceed ₹7 lakh crore — a rise of 15–18 per cent over last year's festive trade of approximately ₹6.05 lakh crore. The Dhanteras tally suggests that projection remains well within reach.
What It Signals for India's Economy
CAIT said the strong Dhanteras performance underscores the resilience of India's domestic consumption market and highlights the growing role of festive spending in supporting trade and broader economic growth. Notably, the record comes amid persistently high gold and silver prices, suggesting that price sensitivity has not dampened aspirational or investment-driven purchases. With Diwali shopping set to continue through the weekend, final festive-season figures could revise higher still.
Point of View
Not audited data, and the organisation has an institutional interest in projecting festive-season optimism — that caveat matters when headline numbers are cited as economic signals. That said, the structural story is credible: India's festive consumption has been trending up for several years, and the gold sales figure from AIJGF adds a second source of corroboration. What is genuinely notable is that record precious metal prices did not suppress demand — if anything, the investment-buying rationale appears to be overriding price sensitivity. The larger question is whether this domestic consumption surge is translating into durable MSME growth or is primarily accruing to large organised retailers and importers of consumer electronics.
NationPress
6 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much business did Dhanteras 2026 generate in India?
Dhanteras 2026 generated an estimated ₹1.25 lakh crore in business across India, setting a new record for the country's retail sector, according to CAIT. The figure covers gold, silver, automobiles, electronics, home appliances and other festive purchases.
What was the total gold and silver sales figure on Dhanteras 2026?
Gold and silver sales crossed ₹66,000 crore on Dhanteras 2026, accounting for nearly 53% of total trade, as per estimates from the All India Jewellers and Goldsmith Federation (AIJGF). Delhi's bullion market alone contributed over ₹10,000 crore.
What is CAIT's projection for the full Diwali festive season?
CAIT had earlier projected that total business during the Navratri-to-Diwali festive period could exceed ₹7 lakh crore — a 15–18% rise over last year's ₹6.05 lakh crore. The record Dhanteras tally suggests the full-season target remains achievable.
Why did gold demand remain strong despite record-high prices?
Traders reported that investment-led buying and cultural significance of Dhanteras purchases kept demand robust even at record precious metal prices. Lightweight jewellery, silver coins and traditional ornaments were particularly popular, suggesting buyers adapted to high prices rather than deferring purchases.
Which categories beyond gold drove Dhanteras sales?
Automobiles, smartphones, laptops, televisions, home appliances, electrical goods, kitchenware and religious items all saw strong sales on Dhanteras 2026, according to CAIT. The breadth of categories reflects the festival's growing role as a broad retail event beyond its traditional bullion focus.
