New Retailing Trends Emerging in India

Retail industry is the largest in India that contributes over 10% to the GDP and around 8% to employment. It has emerged as one of the most dynamic and fast paced sectors with various players entering the industry. Retailing industry in India is gradually inching its way toward becoming the next boom in real estate sector.

After the tremendous boost in residential segment, Indian real estate is all set to witness a whole makeover of retailing trends. The format and consumer buying behavior is altering and thus, ushering in a revolution in shopping patterns in India. Modern retail has apparently entered the country as evident in sprawling shopping complexes, multi-storeyed malls and huge multiplexes offering means of shopping, entertainment and food under one roof. Indian retailing sector, today, is at an inflexion point where growth of both organized retailing and consumption by population is going to take an upward trajectory. Moreover, Indian population is witnessing a significant change in its demographics as large young working population along with increasing number of working women and emerging opportunities in service sector are going to be the key growth drivers of the organized retail sector.

According to the research done by leading global property consultancy firm, Knight Frank, prices of prime properties in India are likely to increase by 12-15% this year. Real estate in India is growing by leaps and bounds since the development potential has become known. Residential properties are blossoming at their best due to the growing need for housing across the country. After developing metros and other major cities, realty boom has swiftly trickled down to tier-II and tier-III cities as well. This gargantuan demand for residential realty is chiefly because of reasons listed below:

1. The cities that possess innumerous schools, eminent colleges and educational institutes lure students from across the country. Students from all over India join these colleges while raising the demand for flats and apartments in the region manifold. The demand for rental house has especially spiraled up with the increasing number of students getting enrolled in the prestigious colleges of a city.

2. After major metros like Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, etc., industrial boom has surged ahead to nearby areas like NCR, Greater Hyderabad, Navi Mumbai and others. It has led to mushrooming of a large number of offices and commercial spaces in such surrounding areas. Leading companies from various sectors have established their operations in these smaller cities while generating demand for skilled professionals. These professionals further multiply the need for housing in the city.

3. Further, in order to cater to the need to the living needs of growing number of students and professionals in the region, means of entertainment and recreation are being set up increasingly. Retail industry has become much more organized with coming up of leading food chains, multiplexes, shopping malls and the likes. More and more land is being developed everyday and transformed into places of comfort and relaxation. The new culture and lifestyle certainly needs growth in this sector and so, such developments are quickly absorbed. The demand for retail real estate has been flourishing thus, resulting in burgeoning of malls and complexes.

Fast paced, large scale developments began across the country as property builders took up the mission of changing India's skyline. Though, retail requires heavy initial investments, its future is promising as market is growing exponentially. Also, government is introducing more favorable policies and emerging technologies are facilitating operations.

Rents and value of retail property is fuelling up significantly and will bolster much more in the coming times. Retail trends are surely changing much to the delight of retailers and real estate developers.


Deepika Bansal writes on behalf of 99acres.com, which is an internet portal dedicated to meet every aspect of the consumers needs in real estate industry. It is a forum where buyers, sellers & brokers can exchange information. At 99 acres, you can advertise a property in India , search property, browse through commercial space & other Properties.