Delhi-NCR retail leasing jumped 45% in Q1, resurfacing fashion and F&B demand data
Resurfacing a Q1 2026 report, Delhi-NCR retail-space leasing reached 0.59 million sq ft, up from 0.41 million sq ft a year earlier. Malls captured 64% of activity, while the region accounted for 30% of leasing across India’s top eight cities despite an overall supply-led decline.
What happened
Cushman & Wakefield · Delhi-NCR retail-space leasing rose 45% in Q1 2026, led by fashion and F&B demand. Malls captured most activity, while constrained supply
Key facts
- Delhi-NCR retail leasing rose 45% year-on-year to 0.59 million sq ft in Q1 2026, from 0.41 million sq ft
- Malls accounted for 64% of Delhi-NCR leasing; high streets accounted for 36%
- Delhi-NCR held a 30% share of leasing across India’s top eight cities
- Eight-city Q1 leasing fell 10% to 1.95 million sq ft from 2.17 million sq ft
- 2025 leasing across eight cities totalled 9.21 million sq ft
Why this matters
Retailers and landlords should prioritize Delhi-NCR mall expansion, using fashion and F&B demand momentum to secure high-quality sites before competition tightens.
What to watch
- Q2 2026 Delhi-NCR leasing volume and whether mall share remains above 60%.
- Reported rent escalations, reduced fit-out incentives and occupancy levels at prime NCR malls.
- Store-opening announcements from fashion, beauty, athleisure, international brands and F&B chains.
- New mall completions and the amount of immediately leasable Grade A retail supply in Gurgaon, Noida and Delhi.
- Consumer discretionary spending, restaurant same-store sales and mall footfall trends.
- Whether leasing declines in the other seven major cities persist, indicating a broader retail-capex slowdown.
- Prime mall operators are likely to re-tenant toward fashion, beauty, athleisure, quick-service restaurants, cafes and experiential concepts.
- National and international brands may accelerate Delhi-NCR flagship, omnichannel fulfilment and premium-format store pipelines.
- Landlords may push for higher base rents, turnover-linked leases and shorter vacancy periods in top malls.
- Retailers will increasingly use smaller, productivity-led formats in expensive mall locations while reserving large units for destination concepts.
- Developers may revive or accelerate mall upgrades, food-court expansions and entertainment additions to capture tenant demand.