India’s alcoholic beverage (AlcoBev) industry is witnessing a major boost this festive season, with sales expected to grow by 10–20% during the October–December quarter. The rise is being driven mainly by premium and luxury spirits, as consumers spend more on quality brands during celebrations.
According to industry estimates, sales of both domestic and imported brands have seen a strong jump across categories — including whisky, rum, vodka, gin, tequila, and other white spirits — during the one-and-a-half-month festive period that is now wrapping up.
“We’ve had an exceptionally strong festive season, with high demand across our premium and luxury range,” said Amar Sinha, Chief Operating Officer at Radico Khaitan. “Our brands like Rampur Indian Single Malt and Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin have performed well across key markets. With this momentum, we expect healthy growth to continue in the third quarter.”
The growth isn’t limited to big cities. Premium spirits are also seeing strong traction in Tier II and Tier III towns, showing how consumer preferences are shifting nationwide.
Anant S. Iyer, Director General of the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC), confirmed that the festive surge is backed by rising disposable incomes, higher consumer spending, and a young, aspirational population.
“We’re seeing strong sales feedback from across the country,” Iyer said. “The premium and luxury segments are leading the charge, especially in metros and larger towns.”
A good monsoon and positive economic sentiment have further supported this growth.
Meanwhile, the International Spirits and Wines Association of India (ISWAI) — representing global brands such as Bacardi, Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Moët Hennessy, and others — also reported a double-digit sales rise during the festive period.
“The NCR region has recorded record sales, with Noida and Gurgaon leading the way,” said ISWAI CEO Sanjit Padhi, adding that government GST benefits have also helped boost demand.
Across India, festive celebrations translated into higher excise revenues. For instance, Telangana’s excise department collected ₹1,000 crore in just two days during Dussehra, mainly from IMFL sales. Similarly, Kolkata saw a 15–16% jump in liquor sales during the 10 days of Durga Puja.
According to ISWAI, India’s branded spirits market touched 408 million cases in 2024, contributing ₹3.5 lakh crore in excise revenue during FY24. While the overall industry grew at a modest 3.4% CAGR between 2019 and 2024, the premium spirits segment grew at double-digit rates, with its market share rising from 42% to over 50%.
With Christmas and New Year around the corner, the industry remains upbeat that this strong run will continue — keeping the festive spirit alive well into the next quarter.
