From a corporate powerhouse, Gurugram has reinvented itself as the next-generation retail hub in India. No longer just a city of office towers and tech parks, it is now where flagship retail stores are being built. Global giants and homegrown powerhouses, like Samsung’s expansive new Experience Store or LEGO’s interactive family haven, are choosing Gurugram to debut their most immersive, experience-led stores. The city’s affluent, digitally savvy consumer base, paired with world-class infrastructure, is making it the preferred launchpad for brands aiming to redefine how India shops, connects, and explores.
In Gurugram, retail spaces serve as stages for immersive storytelling. Samsung’s new 3,000 sq ft Experience Store at DLF CyberHub is a case in point. Designed as a multi-sensory journey, it blends product zones with AI-powered workshops, SmartThings integrations, and hands-on engagement, offering consumers more than a transaction, a connection. A similar narrative unfolds at Ambience Mall, where the LEGO Store sparks creativity for all ages, and TRENDS 3.0 reimagines fashion retail through tech-driven personalisation. These curated environments are where brands invite customers to play, explore, and belong.
As per Cushman and Wakefield’s data, in NCR, the leasing activity in high streets and malls has risen 57% year-on-year to 4.08 lakh square feet in the first quarter of 2025. High-street locations accounted for 61% of the leasing activity, highlighting retailers’ preference for visibility and foot traffic due to their locations near residential hubs. Gurugram accounted for 52% of total leasing, which emerged as the epicentre. It was followed closely by Noida and Delhi.
Segment-wise, the Fashion and F&B segments led space take-up with 24% share each, followed by Entertainment (18%) and Department Stores (11%), with F&B leasing nearly doubling y-o-y.
As the appetite for high-quality retail experiences grows, Gurugram is witnessing a sharp uptick in demand for Grade A retail spaces, outpacing much of the NCR. Developers and investors are doubling down on mixed-use developments, organised high streets, and hybrid retail formats that seamlessly blend convenience with experience. What’s especially noteworthy is the rise of new micro-markets like Golf Course Extension Road, sectors along the Dwarka Expressway belt, New Gurgaon, and others. Fuelled by metro connectivity, arterial highways, and rapidly growing residential catchments, these zones are fast transforming into self-sustained retail ecosystems, expanding the city’s commercial footprint beyond traditional cores.
Pankaj Jain, Chairman and CMD, SPJ Group, says, “Over the years, the commercial segment has been clocking high growth in Gurugram, and has led to a boom in retail leasing. As developers, we have observed a clear move towards spaces that offer more than just shopping, where people feel alive, and come across a mix of food, fashion, entertainment, and leisure all in one. But Gurugram’s real retail story is now unfolding in untapped yet high-potential areas. These locations are seeing a surge in footfall and spending, driven by diverse consumers. With planned infrastructure and rising residential density, we believe these pockets are ripe for curated retail formats that mix convenience with brand discovery.”
Arjun Gehlot, Director, Ambience Malls, says, “As Gurugram grows and lifestyle evolves, malls here are playing a much bigger role in shaping the Indian retail landscape. Consumers are looking for richer, more meaningful experiences, valuing ambience, events, and customisation. Growing purchasing power, improved metro access, and large-scale infrastructure upgrades have positioned the city as a serious contender to Delhi in attracting marquee global and Indian brands. At Ambience, we’ve embraced this evolution by crafting holistic, experience-driven environments that extend far beyond traditional retail. From curated food and wellness zones to immersive art and entertainment offerings, our malls are destinations where people don’t just shop, but truly connect and return to.”
Moreover, technology has transformed Gurugram’s retail landscape, turning every touchpoint into smarter, more personalised engagement. From AI-enabled insights that decode shopper behaviour to systems streamlining inventory in real-time, retailers are embracing tools that make operations sharper and experiences richer. Omnichannel strategies are blurring the lines between online and offline, while malls and high streets across the city are adopting innovations like digital displays, smart parking, and app-based loyalty programs.
Prakash Mehta, Chairman & Managing Director of Ocus Group, says, “Retail leasing in Gurugram is gaining remarkable traction, fueled by the revival of high-street formats and shifting investment priorities. Global brands are actively gravitating toward well-positioned, organised high-street developments that promise not just visibility but sustained rental returns. Corridors like Dwarka Expressway are emerging as key retail arteries, while areas such as Sector 99 are drawing interest for their strategic location and long-term value. As this momentum builds, we see a clear market tilt toward projects that seamlessly integrate retail with experience-led and community-centric design.”
Therefore, by fusing real estate innovation with cutting-edge technology and deeply immersive consumer experiences, the Millennium City has created a retail environment that is both agile and aspirational. From flagship brand showcases to smart, community-focused high streets, Gurugram offers a glimpse into the future of retail.
