Liquor sales in Delhi surpass Rs 100 Crore before Diwali, marking a 31% increase this year

The national capital has witnessed a 31% increase in liquor sales in the last two weeks, compared to the same period last year.

New Delhi: The national capital has experienced a 31 percent increase in liquor sales compared to the same period last year, attributed to what we can call the festive season effect. According to government data, Delhiites have consumed alcohol worth over Rs 100 crore in the last two weeks and increased their stocks in anticipation of upcoming festivals such as Diwali, Chhath and Govardhan Puja scheduled this week. The data shows that in the last fifteen days till November 9, people have purchased a total of 2,58,19,988 liquor bottles from wine shops in Delhi.

In the same period last year, wine shops sold a total of 1,78,21,320 bottles. Interestingly, the national capital witnessed sales of 54.92 lakh liquor bottles in the last three days (till Thursday). The highest number of liquor bottles was purchased on Tuesday: a whopping 20,78,668 bottles.

Liquor bottles worth over Rs 100 crore sold in Delhi two weeks before Diwali, up 31% from last year

The festival season

This year’s peak season started on October 20 with four days of Durga Puja celebrations, with three dry days on Gandhi Jayanti, Dussehra and Valmiki Jayanti within a month.

“Sales during this period increase due to the ongoing festival season and dry days. October and November usually have a large number of dry days and the crowds at all wine shops also increase. So the average sales per day are increasing…,” the Indian Express quoted an official as saying.

Increase in average liquor sales

The average sale of liquor bottles has increased to 17,21,333 bottles compared to last year which was 12,56,186 bottles.

“There are two days left for Diwali and liquor bottle sales will see a sharp jump as the festival takes place on Sunday and it will be a dry day. Moreover, on a usual day, the average sales per day is 8 to 10 lakh bottles, but it has increased to 20 lakh this year and will increase as per our expectations,” the official said.

Considering the upcoming Diwali festival, liquor sales may skyrocket.