As shoppers across India lean harder into experience-first retail, real estate developers are racing to keep up—especially in the fast-growing tier 2 and 3 cities. The new playbook? Think smaller, smarter malls, mostly under 500,000 sq. ft., built right into local neighborhoods and offering what developers are calling “premium convenience.”

Big names like Lulu Group, DLF Ltd., and Aparna Constructions are leading the charge, planting stylish shopping centers across India’s emerging cities and towns. The idea is simple but powerful: bring metro-level shopping, dining, and social spaces to people’s doorsteps, no matter where they live.

Fresh data from JLL India predicts that over the next five years, nearly 25 million sq. ft. of new retail space will come up in India’s tier 2 and 3 cities alone. Meanwhile, the country’s eight largest metro cities are gearing up for nearly 20 new premium malls by 2026, adding around 12.3 million sq. ft. of retail supply, according to Cushman & Wakefield.

Here’s a quick look at some of the major retail projects set to reshape India’s shopping scene between 2025 and 2026:

DLF Midtown Plaza, New Delhi

Real estate powerhouse DLF Ltd. is putting the finishing touches on DLF Midtown Plaza in Moti Nagar, New Delhi. Covering more than 200,000 sq. ft., the plaza will bring a fresh mix of retail stores, cafés, food courts, and theme restaurants to one of Delhi’s fastest-growing neighborhoods. Tucked inside the larger DLF One Midtown township, this development is designed to cater to about 15,000 families living nearby. Expect a cozy, convenience-first vibe rather than a mega-mall experience.

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Value Mall, Erode

Texvalley is making big waves down south with Value Mall, South India’s first true outlet shopping destination. Opening June 2025 in Erode, it will spread over 500,000 sq. ft. and house over 100 domestic and international brands. Along with a sprawling 600-seat food court (home to names like McDonald’s, KFC, Wow Momos, and Chicking), the mall will also feature a six-screen multiplex with cutting-edge EPIQ tech, a 25,000 sq. ft. hypermarket, an 18,000 sq. ft. indoor entertainment zone, and an outdoor arena for turf sports and pickleball. With a catchment area of 6 million people within 60 km, Value Mall expects to generate over 2,500 jobs, blending retail therapy with cultural events and community experiences.

DLF Summit Plaza, Gurugram

In Gurugram’s plush Sector 54, DLF Ltd. is readying DLF Summit Plaza, a mixed-use marvel that will dedicate over 400,000 sq. ft. to retail and 80,000 sq. ft. to coworking spaces. Opening within the current financial year, the plaza will serve a lively community of 30,000+ residents, offering boutique cinemas (with intimate two- or three-screen setups for 300 patrons), artisanal cafés, fine dining options, and a lineup of premium global and Indian brands. Think upscale, urban, and very curated.

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Rohan Mall, Mangaluru

Meanwhile, Mangaluru will get its first large-format mall with Rohan Mall, a landmark project by Rohan Corporation. Built on a 6.25-acre site in Kulashekara, the development will offer 300,000 sq. ft. of built-up space, featuring everything from factory outlets and a hypermarket to a four-screen multiplex and two separate family entertainment centers. To top it off, Rohan Mall will also house 250,000 sq. ft. of IT office space and a 100-key three-star business hotel, complete with banquet facilities—a true mixed-use hub catering to both retail therapy and business needs.