A recent survey conducted among 5,000 kirana store owners across India reveals their outlook for the upcoming festive season. Around 22% of these local shop proprietors express high hopes for their business during this period. Additionally, 37% of respondents hold a moderately positive outlook. However, concerns linger due to subdued consumer demand and a decline in rural spending attributed to persistent food inflation.
The survey also sheds light on regional variations, with owners in states like Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra showing greater positivity. Furthermore, the study indicates that 71% of kirana stores have witnessed an upswing in demand in recent weeks, particularly for smaller-sized products. This indicates a shift towards either smaller packages or experimentation with new brand variants among consumers.