How a bunch of mallers, data whisperers, and experience junkies are shaping the future of shopping, one metro, mini-metro and middle-of-nowhere at a time
Welcome to the Great Indian Mall Reboot. Gone are the days when throwing a Zara next to a KFC and a multiplex meant “job well done.” Today, malls need the IQ of an urban planner, the EQ of a Gen Z influencer, and the survival instincts of Bear Grylls.
At the PRC 2025 session INFINITE SPACES: Finding the Niche in India’s Expanding Retail Landscape, a sharp squad of shopping centre leaders gathered to answer one existential question:
“How do we make malls not just survive, but thrive—and not all look like twins separated at birth?”
Here’s what happened when serious insight met not-so-serious storytelling.
Lesson 1: One Size Doesn’t Fit All. Not Even Close.
If you’re still building cookie-cutter 1-million sq. ft. malls in cities where people shop like it’s still 2008—pause. Take a breath. Call Jayen Naik (COO, Nexus Malls). He’s seen Bhubaneswar’s modest 5-lakh sq. ft. mall outperform many glossier cousins.
Meanwhile, Nandini Taneja (Reach Group) reminded us: “Plan with the 30-year future in mind.” In other words, don’t just design a mall—design a legacy.
Lesson 2: Location is Queen. Data is King. Gut is God.
Data is watching you. Your credit card, your Uber ride, even your idle scrolling on that artisanal pickle brand—everything is now mall-building intel.
Rohit Gopalani (Inorbit Malls) is using everything from car ownership to spring blossom calendars to plan malls. Yes, even trees get a say in layout design now.
Rehan Huck (DLF Malls) confessed it best: “Your mobile is leaving a trail.” Creepy? Maybe. But also… super useful for plotting your next food court.
Lesson 3: Build What People Want, Not What You Think They Want
Frankline Himadri Sen (Paras Buildtech) dropped a truth bomb: “Not all brands work everywhere. You have to plug the gaps, not just stack the shelves.”
Translation: Don’t install a sushi joint in a catchment that worships biryani. Instead, understand if your neighbourhood wants luxury, essentials, a multiplex, or just a clean loo and strong coffee.
Lesson 4: Curate Like a Playlist. Hit the Right Notes.
Tenant mix is not a shopping list—it’s a Spotify playlist. You need bangers (anchor stores), indie gems (regional brands), and the occasional experimental remix (D2C darlings).
Munish Khanna (Express Avenue) swears by brands that win both online and offline. Jayen Naik adds: “Bring in brands on an upswing. Don’t wait for them to peak—catch them on the rise.”
If you’re still courting yesteryear’s blockbusters, you’re not curating—you’re collecting fossils.
Lesson 5: Experience is the New Real Estate
Pickleball is the new multiplex. Rooftop farms are the new food courts. Instagrammable staircases are the new elevators.
Seriously.
Rohit’s mall in Vizag features jogging tracks and trees older than your favourite freedom fighter. Munish has FIVE pickleball courts. Jayen turned Select Citywalk’s dome into a solar-powered sustainability flex.
And yes, we’re all chasing weekday footfalls like they’re unicorns. Mom-and-kid camps? Check. Karva Chauth karaoke? Why not.
Lesson 6: Flex or Flop. The Mall Must Morph.
Bimal Sharma (CBRE) nailed it: “Flexibility is not a feature. It’s a survival skill.” Multiplex not pulling its weight? Turn it into co-working, a concert hall, or a haunted house if needed.
Rehan reminded everyone about the pressures of NOI (Net Operating Income), trading densities, and that lovely little word—“sustainability.” Moral of the story: your niche has to earn its keep.
Bonus Lesson: Keep the Spark Alive
Experience fatigue is real. That IG-worthy pop-up will go stale in a week. So what do you do?
Rehan broke it down into a 3-point survival kit:
Keep brands fresh.
Keep the mall cleaner than your wedding venue.
Keep creating digital dopamine.
Your shopper’s journey starts on Instagram and ends at a curated food fest with 4 filter-ready backdrops. Make it worth the drive.
And Finally… The Real Secret Sauce? Heart.
This wasn’t a session of armchair gyan. It was a call to action. Know your shopper. Woo your neighbourhood. Build malls that spark joy, not just sales.
Because in the end, whether you’re wooing Gen Z sneakerheads or aunties with loyalty cards—the real magic lies in making them feel seen, celebrated, and maybe even a little surprised.
So here’s to India’s Infinite Retail Spaces—messy, magnificent, and always evolving.
Tap the tab in the image below to dive into the full chat with these shopping centre mavericks. Trust us—it’s a retail ride you don’t want to miss.
