Dhanteras 2025 Sees Mixed Trends: Gold Sales Volume Dips Amid Record Prices, While Auto and Electronics Sectors Surge

Dhanteras 2025: A Festival of Contrasting Consumer Trends

New Delhi, India – Dhanteras, celebrated on October 18, 2025, marked the auspicious beginning of the Diwali festivities across India, revealing a mixed but largely buoyant consumer spending landscape. While record-high gold prices led to a decline in purchase volumes, the automotive and consumer electronics sectors experienced unprecedented growth, fueled by strong festive sentiment and recent economic reforms.

Gold Market Navigates Record Prices

The traditional rush for gold on Dhanteras saw a significant shift this year. The volume of gold purchases declined by an estimated 10-15% compared to the previous year, according to industry reports. This dip in volume was directly attributed to the yellow metal reaching historic price levels. On Dhanteras, 24-karat gold was priced around ₹13,278 per gram, having touched an all-time high of ₹134,800 per 10 grams just a day prior. Despite the volume reduction, the overall value of gold sales is projected to exceed ₹50,000 crore, indicating that consumers still invested substantial amounts, albeit in smaller quantities or lighter items. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) reported that gold and silver sales combined accounted for ₹60,000 crore of the total festive trade, marking a 25% increase in value from last year. Demand for lightweight jewelry, gold coins, and bars remained robust, with silver sales surging by 40% and prices climbing approximately 55% to ₹180,000 per kilogram, as consumers sought more budget-friendly investment options.

Automotive Sector Records Historic Deliveries

In stark contrast to gold's volume dip, the automotive sector celebrated a record-breaking Dhanteras. Over 100,000 cars were delivered across India within a 24-hour period, translating into sales worth an estimated ₹8,500–10,000 crore. Major players reported significant surges:

• Maruti Suzuki India anticipated crossing 50,000 units in sales, marking its highest-ever Dhanteras performance.
• Hyundai Motor India projected around 14,000 units, representing a 20% increase over last year.
• Tata Motors expected to deliver over 25,000 vehicles during the extended Dhanteras-Diwali period, a 30% growth.

This unprecedented surge was largely attributed to a buoyant market environment, the festive spirit, and the positive impact of recent GST 2.0 reforms, which led to significant price reductions across various models.

Consumer Electronics Witness Strong Buying

The consumer electronics market also experienced a substantial boost, with sales across categories like televisions, air conditioners, and smartphones surging by 20-25% compared to the previous year. This growth was partly driven by GST cuts on larger screen televisions. Panasonic Life Solutions reported a 36% growth in 4K TV sales (55 inches and above), while Haier Appliances India anticipated over 50% growth, particularly in premium products such as large-screen TVs, side-by-side refrigerators, and front-load washing machines. Industry experts noted that these trends reflect rising consumer confidence and a willingness to upgrade appliances.

Overall Festive Spending Reaches ₹1 Lakh Crore

Overall, Indian consumers engaged in a significant spending spree, with the total trade on Dhanteras estimated to be around ₹1 lakh crore. Beyond gold, cars, and electronics, other categories also performed well. Utensils generated ₹15,000 crore in sales, while electronics and electrical goods contributed ₹10,000 crore to the total. This broad-based consumption surge underscores the enduring significance of Dhanteras as a key period for purchases in India, despite evolving consumer preferences and economic factors.