NEW DELHI: Retailers are having continued growth in health and hygiene category products as well as in food, personal care and home care items, but discretionary categories like beauty and cosmetics, fashion and apparels have been affected adversely during the second wave of the pandemic.

 Now, there is a renewed focus on healthy alternatives such as ayurvedic toothpaste and juices, while instant foods and ready-to-eat snacking items with nutritional offerings are also seeing larger penetration. Moreover, value packs are doing well this time as smaller packs of Rs 5 and Rs 10 have witnessed a rise of up to 20% across categories like biscuits, ketchup and jams, while the large and premium packs have been affected as people are cautious about their disposable income.

Besides, some retailers are also facing the issue of excess stocking in categories such as apparel, fashion and home care categories, as they had stocked up their inventory in March in anticipation of the upcoming season after having a good run rate in the JanuaryMarch quarter. "Spends have dropped in high price point and non-essential categories," METRO Cash & Carry India MD and CEO Arvind Mediratta told.

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