Delhi-NCR retail leasing hits record 3.1M sq ft in 2024 as vacancy falls, rents climb

Retail leasing rose 7% YoY to 3.1M sq ft while premium mall vacancy dropped to 8.3% from 9%. Noida and Gurugram led with 12-15% leasing surge and high-street rents of ₹800-1,000/sq ft. Region eyes 27M+ sq ft of planned retail space through 2028, per CBRE and ANAROCK.

— FiledTue, 7 Jul, 2026, 14:35 IST·First seen Tue, 7 Jul, 2026, 14:34 IST·Source Financial Express · BrandWagon

What happened

CBRE · Delhi-NCR retail real estate hit record leasing in 2024, with falling vacancy, rising rents and strong mall/mixed-use development in Noida and Gurugram,

Key facts

  • retail leasing up 7% YoY to 3.1M sq ft
  • premium mall vacancy fell to 8.3% from 9%
  • high street rentals ₹800-1,000/sq ft
  • Golf Course Road rentals over ₹300/sq ft
  • leasing surged 12-15% in Noida/Gurugram
  • consumer spending up 12% YoY
  • 29 land deals over 313 acres in FY23-24
  • 27M+ sq ft planned retail space 2024-2028 (66% of major cities)

Why this matters

The 27M+ sq ft of planned retail space through 2028 creates a window for early anchor commitments and JV positioning in Noida and Gurugram before premium corridors fully mature.

What to watch

  • Quarterly vacancy prints - a reversal above 9% signals demand softening
  • Pace of pipeline delivery vs net absorption through 2025-2026
  • High-street rent trajectory beyond ₹1,000/sq ft ceiling
  • Consumption/discretionary spend indicators and festive-season retail sales
  • New mall launch delays or pre-leasing shortfalls in Noida/Gurugram
  • Anchor retailers and QSR/F&B chains accelerate Gurugram and Noida store commitments to lock rents before further escalation
  • Landlords push shorter rent-review cycles and CAM escalations to capture the upcycle
  • Developers fast-track pre-leasing of the pipeline to de-risk 2026-2028 deliveries
  • International brands expand India flagship footprints via mall pre-commitments
  • Institutional capital and REIT platforms scout stabilized NCR retail assets for acquisition