Customers per store in India slumped 55% in late-March

Sales recovery is projected to kickstart by May.

The number of customers per store in India plunged 55% YoY in 17 to 25 March after weeks of 1-12% growth, according to data from omnichannel solutions provider Capillary Technologies.

Reflecting this, sales per store crashed 46% over the same period.

These are expected to fall further in the following weeks due to the ongoing nation-wide lockdown. Sales recovery is projected to kickstart from the first week of May, assuming that there is no extension on the lockdown.

Lifestyle and fashion retailers are expected to be the hardest hit due to the restrictions and lockdowns, which would result in demand squeeze in the short term.

“However, we expect the combination of young demographics, rising disposable income and the positive headroom growth for organised retail to mitigate many of these challenges in the long term,” Capillary noted.