India’s retail markets are preparing for a major shopping day as Dhanteras 2026 is expected to generate more than ₹1 lakh crore in business across the country, according to the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT). Gold and silver sales alone are projected to exceed ₹60,000 crore, highlighting the importance of precious metals in India’s festive economy. The estimate covers trading activity across multiple retail categories, including jewellery, utensils, electronics, decorative products and traditional gifts.
The projection comes despite significantly higher gold and silver prices compared with last year. Rather than abandoning festive purchases, consumers are adjusting their shopping preferences towards lightweight jewellery, silver coins and smaller-ticket products. Industry representatives say demand remains strong, although the final sales figures will become clearer after retailers and jewellery associations assess transactions across markets nationwide.
CAIT Estimates Dhanteras Business at More Than ₹1 Lakh Crore
According to CAIT, India’s total business during Dhanteras on November 6, 2026, is expected to cross ₹1 lakh crore.
The trade organisation said gold and silver transactions could contribute more than ₹60,000 crore to the estimated total.
Dhanteras is traditionally considered an important occasion for purchasing gold, silver, utensils and other household products. Retailers across jewellery, electronics, kitchenware and home decoration categories typically experience increased customer activity during the festival.
The latest projection reflects the scale of India’s festive retail market and the importance of traditional shopping occasions for domestic businesses.
However, the ₹1 lakh crore figure is an industry estimate rather than confirmed sales. The final outcome will depend on actual transactions recorded by retailers throughout the day.
Gold and Silver Expected to Account for Over ₹60,000 Crore
Precious metals are expected to represent the largest portion of Dhanteras business.
CAIT estimates that gold and silver sales together could exceed ₹60,000 crore, reflecting continued consumer interest in jewellery, coins and traditional purchases.
The All India Jewellers and Goldsmith Federation (AIJGF) has also reported strong demand for gold and silver products.
Jewellers are seeing interest in lightweight gold jewellery, particularly 14-carat and 18-carat designs. These products allow customers to participate in traditional festive buying while managing the higher cost of gold.
Silver coins, decorative articles and traditional gift items are also attracting buyers.
Products featuring auspicious designs, including fish, tortoises and elephants, have reportedly seen increased demand.
The preference for smaller products reflects how consumers are adjusting their purchases rather than necessarily abandoning the tradition of buying precious metals during Dhanteras.
Gold Prices Remain Around 20% Higher Than Last Year
Higher precious metal prices have become an important factor shaping this year’s festive shopping behaviour.
According to the NewsBytes report, 24-carat gold was trading at approximately ₹1,41,840 per 10 grams at the time of reporting on November 6.
Although gold prices had moderated slightly during the preceding week, they remained around 20% higher than their year-ago level.
The increase has affected the purchasing power of consumers, particularly those planning to buy heavier jewellery.
Instead of purchasing larger ornaments, some customers are choosing lightweight designs or smaller quantities of gold.
| Dhanteras 2026 indicator | Estimate or reported figure |
|---|---|
| Expected nationwide business | More than ₹1 lakh crore |
| Expected gold and silver sales | More than ₹60,000 crore |
| 24-carat gold price | ₹1,41,840 per 10 grams |
| Gold price increase year-on-year | Approximately 20% |
| Jewellery preferences | Lightweight 14K and 18K designs |
| Other popular purchases | Silver coins and traditional gifts |
These figures represent industry estimates and market prices reported at the time of publication, not a final nationwide sales audit.
Lightweight Jewellery Gains Popularity
The increase in gold prices is influencing the type of jewellery customers purchase.
According to AIJGF, demand has shifted towards lightweight jewellery in 14-carat and 18-carat categories.
These designs provide an alternative for customers who want to purchase gold without spending as much as they would on heavier, higher-karat ornaments.
Jewellers are also seeing interest in silver coins and traditional decorative products.
This shift is commercially important because jewellery retailers can continue attracting customers even when higher bullion prices make large purchases more expensive.
For consumers, lightweight jewellery offers a way to maintain festive purchasing traditions while keeping expenditure within a planned budget.
The trend also demonstrates that higher commodity prices do not always translate into lower nominal sales. If the value of each purchase increases because of higher prices, overall transaction value can remain substantial even when customers buy fewer grams of gold.
Electronics, Utensils and Traditional Gifts Add to Festive Trade
Dhanteras spending extends well beyond gold and silver.
Consumers traditionally purchase utensils, kitchenware, household appliances, electronics and decorative products during the festival.
Steel, copper and other metal utensils remain popular because of their association with traditional household purchases.
Electronics retailers also benefit from the festive period, with customers purchasing smartphones, televisions, laptops and other consumer appliances.
Decorative items, lamps, religious products and traditional gifts contribute to retail activity across local markets.
For small traders, neighbourhood retailers and family-owned businesses, Dhanteras provides an important opportunity to generate sales before the broader Diwali shopping period concludes.
The festival therefore supports several interconnected industries, including jewellery manufacturing, bullion trading, consumer electronics, household goods, logistics and retail distribution.
Why Dhanteras Matters for India’s Retail Economy
Dhanteras is one of the most important shopping occasions in India’s festive calendar.
The festival generates demand across organised retail chains as well as traditional local markets. Jewellery showrooms, electronics outlets, utensil shops and smaller retailers all benefit from increased customer activity.
For the jewellery industry, the occasion is particularly important because gold purchases are closely connected with cultural traditions and household wealth planning.
For electronics and household-product retailers, the festival provides an opportunity to attract consumers through seasonal promotions and product launches.
CAIT’s estimate of more than ₹1 lakh crore highlights the economic significance of this concentrated shopping activity.
However, the projected turnover should not be interpreted as additional economic output or profit. It represents estimated business transactions across retail categories, and the actual contribution to economic activity depends on production, distribution costs, margins and other factors.
Final Dhanteras Sales Figures Are Still Pending
Although CAIT has issued its initial projection, the final assessment of nationwide business remains pending.
AIJGF said it would release a detailed statement later on November 6 after evaluating sales trends and consumer responses across markets.
That assessment is expected to provide a clearer picture of demand for gold jewellery, silver coins and other festive products.
The difference between projected business and actual sales will be important for understanding whether higher precious metal prices affected purchasing volumes or whether stronger transaction values compensated for changes in customer buying patterns.
The Bigger Picture
Dhanteras 2026 demonstrates the continuing importance of traditional festivals to India’s retail economy. Even with gold prices significantly above last year’s levels, industry representatives are reporting strong consumer interest, supported by demand for lightweight jewellery, silver coins and smaller festive purchases.
The projected ₹1 lakh crore in business also highlights how a single festival can support multiple sectors, from precious metals and electronics to household products and traditional gifts. However, the estimate remains a forecast, and actual sales figures will determine how closely the market matches CAIT’s expectations.
Looking Ahead
The next important development will be the detailed sales assessment from AIJGF and other trade associations. Actual transaction values, gold and silver sales volumes, regional demand and the performance of non-jewellery categories will help establish the strength of this year’s Dhanteras market.
For retailers, the festive season will remain an important opportunity to convert consumer interest into sales. The extent to which demand continues after Dhanteras will also matter, particularly for jewellery companies and electronics manufacturers preparing for the remaining Diwali shopping period.
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