Retail

India’s retail real estate sector demonstrated remarkable resilience in 2025, with leasing activity surging 54% year-on-year, according to a recent industry report. The growth reflects rising consumer confidence, increasing footfalls in urban centers, and expanding organized retail chains. Analysts note that strong demand is concentrated in high-street and mall-based retail spaces, driven by a combination of domestic consumption recovery and strategic expansions by national and international brands.

Shares of Titan Company surged in market trading after the company reported robust revenue growth for the third quarter, underscoring resilient consumer demand across its core business segments. Strong festive-season sales, steady expansion in its jewelry portfolio, and improving traction in watches and wearables helped lift topline performance. The results reassured investors about Titan’s growth visibility despite a challenging macroeconomic environment marked by inflationary pressures and cautious discretionary spending.

India’s smartphone retail segment is facing acute financial stress as weak consumer demand and excess inventory squeeze cash flows across physical stores. With sales slowing sharply, many small and mid-sized retailers have been forced to use personal savings to meet monthly salary obligations, highlighting the severity of the downturn. Rising operating costs, cautious consumer spending, and intense online competition have compounded pressures on brick-and-mortar outlets.

Apple is accelerating its retail expansion across India, strengthening its physical presence in several major cities as part of a broader strategy to deepen engagement with one of the world’s fastest-growing premium smartphone markets. The company is rolling out new flagship outlets designed to deliver a unified brand experience, complementing its online platform and rapidly increasing local manufacturing operations. This expansion reflects Apple’s recognition of India’s rising purchasing power and growing demand for high-end technology.

Black Friday 2024 has arrived with a surge of competitive pricing across retail categories, from electronics and fashion to home appliances and personal tech. As brands push to capture festive-season spending, retailers are offering unprecedented discounts, extended sale windows, and value-driven bundles to appeal to cautious yet eager consumers. This year marks a shift toward strategic early deals rather than a one-day shopping frenzy, with both online and brick-and-mortar stores reporting heightened footfall and digital traffic.

India witnessed a marginal decline in retail inflation for both agricultural and rural laborers in September, offering respite to low-income households grappling with persistent price pressures. According to the latest data from the Labour Bureau, inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL) and Rural Labourers (CPI-RL) eased slightly as food prices moderated across several key categories. The decline, though modest, reflects improving supply conditions and effective government interventions in essential commodities.

The Delhi-NCR region witnessed a sharp 25 percent increase in retail space demand during the first half of 2025, according to CBRE’s latest market report. This surge highlights a revival in consumer spending and a renewed appetite for organized retail across malls and high streets. Fashion retailers, food and beverage chains, and electronics brands emerged as the primary drivers of leasing activity.

Japanese fast-fashion giant UNIQLO has set an ambitious target of achieving Rs. 3,000 crore in sales from its India operations in the coming years, underscoring its long-term commitment to one of the world’s fastest-growing retail markets. The company, part of the Fast Retailing group, is intensifying its focus on store expansion, local supply chain partnerships, and product customization to align with Indian consumers’ evolving tastes.

Wholesale and retail traders in Bengaluru faced uncertainty on Thursday as key commodity and agricultural market rates were not published, disrupting normal business activity. The absence of daily pricing updates affected buyers and sellers across essential goods, including grains, pulses, vegetables, and perishables, which rely heavily on accurate benchmark rates for fair trading. While market participants adapted through direct negotiations, the lack of standardized reference points created confusion in pricing.

Patel Retail, a fast-growing consumer goods and lifestyle retailer, witnessed extraordinary demand for its initial public offering (IPO), which closed with subscriptions at 95.70 times the offered size. The response underscores the depth of investor confidence in India’s retail growth story, particularly in businesses with scalable models and strong regional footprints. Market observers highlight that demand was fueled by retail investors, high-net-worth individuals, and institutional participants alike.