Domestic Brands Drive Surge in Indian Retail Space Leasing

Retail landlords reported an unprecedented 10.5% increase in leased area during the first half of 2026, translating to 6.27 million square feet. The growth was anchored by Indian brands, which secured 79.1% of the total new footprint.

While the supply of new shopping malls fell sharply – only 0.82 million square feet were added compared with the same period last year, a 64% year‑on‑year decline – retailers continued to expand their physical presence.

The demand side remained resilient, with experience‑focused consumers pushing organized retail spaces to a higher share of total leasing, up from 38.9% in H1 2025 to 43.1% in H1 2026.