New Delhi: This Diwali season reveals a stark reality check: Corporate gifting budgets in India have taken a deep dive, unlike anything seen in recent memory. Indian retailers report an average Diwali hamper cost drop from ₹4,500 in 2023 to a mere ₹1,500 this year, a shocking 67% slash. Across sectors, this downscaling speaks to tightened purse strings amid an economic backdrop that is far from festive cheer.

Gone are the days when silver coins and premium dry fruits filled corporate hampers. This year, practical and digital gifts dominate as companies trim expenses to the bone. The government’s recent order banning all festive spending in public sector firms signals that no corner of the economy is untouched by uncertainty.

IT and financial sectors lead with 35-40% gift budget cuts; ma

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