What’s in demand, and when

Nine nights of festivities (garba and dandiya dances), then Dussehra: traditional clothing, jewellery, events and the start of the festive buying season.

India’s main wedding season runs from late autumn through winter on auspicious dates: venues, caterers, jewellers, tailors and decorators are booked solid.

India’s biggest festival and shopping season: gold, sweets, clothes, electronics, home decor and gifts — and Dhanteras, two days before, is a traditional day to buy gold and new things.

Christmas adds to the winter wedding and holiday season: cakes, decorations, hotels and travel peak, strongest in cities and in Goa and Kerala.

The biggest discount weekend: shoppers buy holiday gifts and big-ticket items, online and in store. Customers compare prices hard.

Parties, dinners and countdown events push one night of very high demand for venues, food, drinks and entertainment.

People start the year with goals — fitness, money, learning — so sign-ups and first purchases cluster in January.

A month of fasting: daytime trade slows, evenings get busy (iftar meals, family gatherings), food shopping and charity rise, and spending builds toward Eid.

Gifts and evenings out for partners: flowers, jewellery, chocolate and restaurant tables peak in the days before 14 February.

The celebration ending Ramadan: new clothes, gifts, family meals and travel, with the busiest shopping in the last week of Ramadan.

The festival of colours: colour powders, sweets, white clothes, events and travel peak.

Gifts, flowers and meals out for mothers — one of the busiest days of the year for restaurants and florists.

The Feast of the Sacrifice: livestock and meat demand peaks, with family gatherings, travel and new clothes.

Most Indian schools restart in June after summer holidays (some in April): books, uniforms and bags peak.

People and small businesses file returns before the deadline: accountants, tax preparers and bookkeepers get busiest, often at the last minute.

Gifts and outings for fathers: grilling, tools, electronics, grooming and meals out.

India is cricket’s biggest audience: match-day food delivery, sports bars, screens and team merchandise peak, especially for India’s matches.