Urban Indian households likely to spend nearly INR 20,000 on average this festive season; 6% lower than 20250

• Business
• October 15, 2026

New Delhi [India], October 14: With Navratri, Dussehra and Diwali approaching, India’s festive season, traditionally the biggest window for discretionary purchases, is opening against a tightening economic backdrop. Retail inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), rose to 5.54% in September 2026 from 4.83% in August, its eleventh consecutive monthly increase, according to