Mall Vacancy Levels Down to 8.3% in H1 2024 amid Robust Leasing, Limited Supply

According to ANAROCK’s H1 2024 Retail RELEAP report, mall vacancy rates have dropped to 8.3%, the lowest in six years, as demand continues to outstrip supply. Over 3 million square feet of retail space was leased in the first half of 2024, with a significant demand for smaller spaces and a growing presence of exclusive watches and jewellery stores. The highest upcoming retail supply is expected in NCR, MMR, and Hyderabad, accounting for over 85% of new space.

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Vacancy levels in last 6 yrs stood maximum at 15.5% in 2021; contrastingly, superior malls at almost full capacity now
Demand higher than supply for the 3^rd consecutive year; over 3.1 Mn Sft Retail Space Leased in H1 2024
Watches & jewellery category accounts for 6% of overall leases spaces
Retailers and brands continue to prefer smaller spaces as nearly 70% of the leases were for spaces admeasuring up to 2,500 Sq ft.
Highest share of upcoming new supply over next 4-5 years planned in NCR, MMR & Hyderabad, accounting for over 85% of total supply

The retail sector’s unprecedented growth amid favourable economic factors and rising affluence has translated into impressive mall space leasing in H1 2024, finds the ANAROCK Retail RELEAP report for this period. Mall vacancies are now at just 8.3%, down from 15.5% in 2021 as demand continually outstrips supply.

Mall Vacancies

Source: ANAROCK Research

Anuj Kejriwal, CEO & MD – Retail, Industrial & Logistics – ANAROCK Group, says, “Vacancy in prominent malls continues to be on the decline owing to limited supply and robust leasing. Superior malls across the country are operating almost full capacity. Major national and global brands are keen to take up quality spaces in successful malls and high streets across cities.”

Source: ANAROCK Research

The Apparel & Accessories and Food & Beverages categories remain the dominant segments – however, exclusive stores for watches & jewellery have also witnessed remarkable growth during the year – accounting for nearly 6% of the total retail leasing volume.

“Retailers and brands continue to prefer smaller spaces as nearly 70% of the leases were for spaces admeasuring up to 2,500 sft,” says Kejriwal. “That said, as fresh supply gets added in the coming years, larger spaces will garner an increasing share of total leased area. The highest share of upcoming supply is planned in NCR, MMR, and Hyderabad in the next 4/5 years. Together they account for over 85% of the total incoming supply.”

In the meantime, rental values across prominent high streets are on the rise – and are expected to continue the ascend till quality new supply is added.

Top marquee deals (based on total area leased)

The first half of the current year mirrored the leasing momentum seen in the past two years, with over 3 million sft leased across the country’s major cities. The next few years will witness major supply addition across all these cities, with the NCR accounting for the majority.