Top 8 cities to see 20 new premium malls by end of 2026

A new Cushman & Wakefield report says that India will have nearly 20 premium shopping malls by the end of 2026 across eight of its largest cities.These malls together will reportedly contribute around 123 lakh sq. ft. of retail space. 

The cities expected to see the rise of new malls include Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Pune, and Ahmedabad.

Reportedly, about 86 lakh sq. ft. of the upcoming retail space will be classified as Superior Grade (Grade-A plus). As of 2024, India’s Grade A mall stock stands at approximately 615 lakh sq. ft., with top-tier (Grade A) spaces accounting for nearly 63% of the total of the country’s retail real estate market, say reports. 

According to the report, segments like hypermarkets and cinemas are declining, while fashion, beauty, wellness, F&B, and athleisure are becoming key footfall drivers. 

Saurabh Shatdal, Executive Managing Director, Capital Markets & Head, Retail India, Cushman & Wakefield, is reported to have said,“India’s retail landscape is evolving rapidly, and so are consumer aspirations. The rise of Superior Grade malls reflects a clear pivot from just scale to quality and experience. Today’s consumers are seeking curated, design-led environments where the brand experience is as important as the product itself.”