Tamil Nadu’s state-owned TASMAC liquor outlets registered liquor sales worth Rs. 430 crore over two days, with an average daily sale of around Rs. 150 crore. This figure typically spikes on weekends and public holidays, especially around major festivals like Diwali.
Ahead of Diwali, celebrated the day before yesterday, many customers bought large quantities of alcohol to enjoy gatherings with friends and family in their hometowns. As a result, on the day before Diwali and on the festival day itself, TASMAC reported sales reaching Rs. 430 crore, with Rs. 220 crore of sales occurring on Diwali alone. In comparison, Diwali sales in 2023 totaled Rs. 467 crore over two days.
A TASMAC official explained, “Due to the government holiday on Diwali and the following day, complete sales data isn’t yet available. However, preliminary reports indicate sales around Rs. 430 crore.”
This year, a four-day government holiday for Diwali allowed customers to plan their purchases in advance, with many opting to buy on the weekend rather than on the festival day. This led to a slight decrease in Diwali sales compared to last year. On average, TASMAC outlets sell around 5 million cases per month.
Sales distribution for types of alcohol remains consistent, with regular liquor making up 65%, mid-range liquor at 20%, and premium brands at 15%. However, premium liquor sales surged to 30% on Diwali, and mid-range brands accounted for 20%, reflecting a shift in customer preferences during the festival season.