New Delhi, April 11 The leasing of retail spaces in shopping malls and high streets in the Delhi-NCR region rose by 45 per cent to nearly 6 lakh square feet in January-March, driven by increased demand, according to Cushman & Wakefield.
Data from real estate consultant Cushman & Wakefield showed that leasing of retail spaces in Delhi-NCR stood at 0.59 million square feet in January-March, compared to 0.41 million square feet in the previous year.
Of the total leasing in Delhi-NCR, shopping malls accounted for 64 per cent of the total volume, while high streets contributed the remaining 36 per cent.
Among India's top eight cities, Delhi-NCR led leasing activity with a 30 per cent share, supported by sustained demand across both malls and main streets, the consultant said.
Overall, the leasing of retail spaces across the top eight cities fell by 10 per cent to 1.95 million square feet in January-March from 2.17 million square feet in the corresponding period of the previous year.
The fall was mainly due to supply constraints.
In the 2025 calendar year, the leasing stood at 9.21 million sq ft in the top eight cities – Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Ahmedabad – driven mainly by demand from the fashion and food and beverages (F&B) segments.
Gautam Saraf, Executive Managing Director - Mumbai & New Business, Cushman & Wakefield, said, "India's retail real estate market is currently operating in a demand-led environment, where occupier interest continues to outpace the availability of high-quality retail space."
The demand is being driven by sustained expansion from domestic retailers, increased participation from international brands, and a clear shift towards organised, professionally managed retail formats, he added.
S K Sayal, MD & CEO of Bharti Real Estate, said, "Retail leasing in India is witnessing robust momentum, supported by strong fundamentals such as rising consumer confidence, evolving lifestyles, and the growth of experience-led formats."
Urban infrastructure and connectivity continue to play a critical role in enhancing the appeal of retail destinations, he added.
Ankit Sharma, SVP-Leasing, Elan Group, said the underlying demand for organised retail continues to remain strong across key markets, supported by sustained consumption trends and the expanding presence of both domestic and global brands.
Robin Mangla, President of M3M India, said the demand for retail spaces remains strong in Delhi-NCR.
With new supply in the pipeline, he said, the leasing activities would further strengthen.
Shriram P M Monga, Co-founder at consulting firm SRED, said the robust leasing performance in NCR speaks volumes about the strength of the story of consumption in India.
"There is a definite preference towards quality retail spaces, organised and in established malls and high streets. Despite a lack of supply, leasing has been healthy in the sector, and it goes without saying that there is a willingness on the occupier side to act fast for the right assets," Monga added.