Unseasonal rains in April and May have hurt sales of summer products, forcing companies to cut back on production and revise growth targets for the June quarter. Makers of air conditioners, for instance, have indicated that sales are down 20-25% in April-May compared to last year, while ice cream, beverage and talcum powder makers have pointed to a year-on-year sales decline of 15-20%.

“Sales in the southern, western, and eastern parts of the country have taken a hit due to unseasonal rainfall. The sales drop is in the region of 20-25% when compared to the same period last year (April-May). The northern and central regions, meanwhile, are going strong,” Kamal Nandi, business head and executive vice-president, Godrej Appliances, said.