<div id="readability-page-1"><div id="parent_top_div"><p>India’s retail real estate sector is undergoing a structural reset, with experience-driven formats replacing purely transactional spaces, according to Anarock Retail’s latest report ‘RELEAP 2026’. The shift is redefining how brands, developers and consumers engage with physical retail, signalling a more mature and nuanced phase for organised retail across the country.</p> <p>  The report further stated that India’s top seven cities point to a market that is not just expanding but evolving, with sharper demand segmentation, diversified formats and a growing emphasis on engagement-led consumption.</p> <p>  &#34;India's retail real estate story is entering its most exciting chapter yet,&#34; said Anuj Kejriwal, CEO – Retail &amp; CEO – EMEA, Anarock Group. &#34;RELEAP 2026 captures a sector that has moved decisively beyond square footage and rental metrics; it is now about delivering experiences that consumers cannot find online.&#34;</p><p>  Retail leasing remained resilient in the second half of 2025, with total absorption across the top seven cities at about 4.3 million square feet. The performance underscores sustained retailer confidence in brick-and-mortar formats, even as macroeconomic conditions remain fluid.</p> <h3>  Apparel, entertainment drive demand</h3> <p>  Leasing activity during the period was led by apparel, followed by entertainment, hypermarkets and supermarkets, and food and beverage (F&amp;B). Together, these categories accounted for the bulk of demand, reflecting a clear pivot towards spaces that offer experiences alongside products.</p> <p>  The dominance of mid-sized stores, typically between 1,000 and 5,000 square feet, continued, highlighting a preference for scalable and cost-efficient formats. For retailers balancing expansion ambitions with cost pressures, these units have emerged as the most viable option.</p> <p>  On the supply side, the development pipeline remains robust, with Delhi-NCR and Hyderabad together accounting for nearly 70 per cent of upcoming retail supply. This concentration signals strong developer confidence in these high-growth corridors and their ability to absorb institutional-grade assets.</p> <p>  Anarock also noted that developers are increasingly pivoting towards destination-led developments and mixed-use formats that integrate retail with entertainment, dining and wellness. These formats are designed to extend dwell time and create differentiated consumer experiences.</p> <p>  Moreover, the report highlights distinct consumption patterns across cities, reinforcing the need for hyperlocal strategies.</p> <p>  Delhi-NCR and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) saw strong traction in apparel and entertainment-led leasing, driven by aspirational consumption and high mall footfalls. In contrast, Hyderabad and Bengaluru witnessed higher demand from anchor categories such as hypermarkets and family entertainment centres, reflecting the rise of community-centric retail ecosystems.</p> <h3>  High streets outperformed</h3> <p>  A key trend in H2 2025 was the outperformance of high streets. Prime high-street locations across cities saw rental appreciation, driven by strong demand for high-visibility and high-footfall spaces.</p> <div><p>“With vacancy levels in premium malls remaining constrained, several brands, particularly across fashion, luxury and F&amp;B, are increasingly turning to high streets as an alternative route to expansion,” said Kejriwal. “In many cases, high-street locations are being leveraged to maintain market presence in the absence of available mall inventory.” Mall rentals, meanwhile, remained largely stable, with rental growth limited to high-performing Grade A assets. <small> </small></p> </div> </div></div>

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<p>India's retail real estate sector is evolving, with a shift towards experience-driven formats, as highlighted in Anarock Retail's report 'RELEAP 2026'. The top seven cities recorded 4.3 million square feet of retail leasing in H2 2025, driven by demand for apparel and entertainment. High streets are outperforming malls, with brands seeking visibility in prime locations. The report emphasizes the need for hyperlocal strategies and the growing importance of mixed-use developments that integrate retail with entertainment and dining.</p>

High streets outpace malls as 7 cities log 4.3 mn sq ft leasing: Report