Gurugram Emerges as India’s New Retail Experience Capital

Gurugram Emerges as India’s New Retail Experience Capital

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 18, 2025

Gurugram, once known mainly for its corporate skyline, is fast becoming India’s new-age retail capital. Moving beyond its identity as a tech and business hub, the city is now home to flagship retail stores that blend shopping with unforgettable experiences. Global and Indian brands alike from Samsung to LEGO are choosing Gurugram to launch their most interactive, immersive stores. Thanks to a young, affluent, and tech-savvy population along with top-notch infrastructure, the city has become the go-to destination for brands looking to reinvent how India shops.

Retail in Gurugram is more than just transactions, it's storytelling. At DLF CyberHub, Samsung’s 3,000 sq ft Experience Store offers a multi-sensory journey. From product demos and AI-led workshops to SmartThings integrations, it’s all about engaging consumers in meaningful ways. Similarly, Ambience Mall offers an inspiring atmosphere where LEGO fuels imagination for all ages, and TRENDS 3.0 brings fashion to life through tech-led personalisation. These spaces invite people to not just shop—but to connect, explore, and belong.

The city’s rise is also reflected in the numbers. According to Cushman and Wakefield, retail leasing activity across NCR’s malls and high streets jumped 57% year-on-year in Q1 2025, totaling 4.08 lakh sq ft. Of this, high-street locations made up 61%, showing brands’ growing preference for places that offer high visibility and footfall near residential areas. Gurugram led the charts, accounting for 52% of total leasing, followed by Noida and Delhi.

Fashion and food & beverage (F&B) topped the charts with 24% share each in the leasing mix, followed by entertainment (18%) and department stores (11%). Notably, F&B leasing nearly doubled compared to last year, highlighting the shift toward lifestyle-oriented retail.

This growth in demand has sparked a race for high-quality, Grade A retail spaces in Gurugram. Developers are now focusing on mixed-use hubs, smart high streets, and hybrid formats that combine convenience with engaging experiences. Emerging zones like Golf Course Extension Road, Dwarka Expressway, and New Gurgaon are developing into thriving micro-markets. With growing metro access, wide highways, and new residential areas, these pockets are transforming into well-rounded retail ecosystems beyond the city’s traditional hubs.

Pankaj Jain, Chairman and CMD of SPJ Group, notes, “Commercial growth in Gurugram has driven a boom in retail leasing. People are now drawn to spaces that blend food, fashion, entertainment, and leisure. And the real action is now shifting to new, promising areas that are witnessing increasing footfall and spending. These places are ideal for curated retail concepts that offer both convenience and discovery.”

Arjun Gehlot, Director of Ambience Malls, adds, “Gurugram’s evolving lifestyle is reshaping retail. Consumers now seek meaningful experiences, and malls are becoming key spaces for connection. With better metro links and higher spending power, the city is drawing big names. At Ambience, we’ve created spaces that go beyond shopping—offering food, wellness, art, and entertainment. Our malls are true destinations.”

Technology, too, is reshaping the city’s retail scene. From AI-powered tools that understand shopper behaviour to real-time inventory systems, brands are embracing tech to elevate both operations and experiences. Omnichannel strategies are bringing together online and offline touchpoints, while digital displays, smart parking, and loyalty apps are now common across malls and high streets.

Prakash Mehta, CMD of Ocus Group, highlights, “Retail leasing is gaining momentum, especially with the rise of organised high-street formats. Global brands are investing in spaces that offer visibility and strong returns. Corridors like Dwarka Expressway and areas like Sector 99 are turning into retail hotspots. We’re seeing a clear trend toward community-focused, experience-driven retail.”

By blending innovative real estate formats, cutting-edge tech, and immersive consumer journeys, Gurugram has carved a niche for itself as a future-ready retail destination. Whether it’s flagship showrooms or lively high streets, the Millennium City is offering a bold and fresh vision of how India will shop tomorrow.


Eight Continents Expands Ocho Homes with New Properties in Belfast and Navi Mumbai

Eight Continents Expands Ocho Homes with New Properties in Belfast and Navi Mumbai

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 18, 2025

Eight Continents Hotels and Resorts, a luxury hospitality and hotel management group redefining bucket-list travel, has strengthened its Ocho Homes brand with the addition of two new extended-stay properties, one in Belfast, United Kingdom, and another in Parsic Hill, Navi Mumbai, India. The development underscores the group’s mission to provide luxurious, convenient, and home-like stays for modern travellers.

The new Ocho Homes property in Belfast features seven elegantly designed rooms, enhancing the brand’s presence in a city renowned for its rich cultural heritage and thriving business community. This addition brings the total number of Ocho Homes properties in Belfast to two, complementing the existing Wellesley Avenue property.

In India, Ocho Homes Living Belapur makes its debut with ten well-appointed rooms in the Parsic Hill area of Navi Mumbai. Located just 22 km from Navi Mumbai Airport and near key landmarks like DY Patil Stadium, the property offers travellers excellent connectivity. Guests can choose from two stay categories: Living and Lux, tailored to suit varied preferences within the extended stay segment.

Ocho Homes stands apart by offering more than just accommodation. With flexible stay options, thoughtfully designed interiors, and a focus on community-driven experiences, it appeals to corporate travellers, expatriates, and leisure guests alike. The emphasis on well-being, connectivity, and local character ensures every stay is both comfortable and memorable.

image

Haninder Sachdeva, CEO of Eight Continents Hotels and Resorts, said:

“The addition of two new properties under the Ocho Homes portfolio reflects our focus on building a brand that travellers can consistently trust for extended stays. Our approach is centred on creating thoughtfully designed spaces that balance convenience with comfort, while also carrying the character of the destinations they are part of. By strengthening the Ocho Homes identity across both established and emerging markets, we are ensuring the brand remains a preferred choice for guests looking for reliability, style, and a sense of belonging during their travels.”

With these latest openings, Eight Continents continues to expand the Ocho Homes portfolio across strategic markets in Asia and Europe, aiming to serve the growing demand for extended stay hospitality. By combining innovation, comfort, and personalised service, the brand seeks to set new benchmarks in the evolving landscape of luxury travel.


Devil Circuit Lucknow Debut Draws 5,000+ Thrill-Seekers with Omaxe

Devil Circuit Lucknow Debut Draws 5,000+ Thrill-Seekers with Omaxe

By Hariharan U

Published on September 18, 2025

Lucknow witnessed an adrenaline-packed weekend as Devil Circuit Season 13 made its debut in the city with the support of Omaxe Group. The event, held on 14th September, attracted more than 5,000 participants, including fitness lovers, adventure junkies, and everyday thrill-seekers from across India.

image

Touted as one of the toughest obstacle races in the country, Devil Circuit is all about endurance, determination, and teamwork. Competitors pushed themselves through a series of physically demanding challenges, each designed to test agility, strength, and mental grit.

For Omaxe, joining hands with Devil Circuit in Lucknow went beyond just hosting a global-format event. It was about inspiring a culture of fitness, wellness, and community spirit. The Omaxe team itself stepped onto the track, embodying unity and enthusiasm while encouraging others to break barriers. This collaboration follows the group’s earlier partnerships as venue hosts in Delhi, Chandigarh, and Indore.

The roaring success of the inaugural edition in Lucknow has now set a new standard for adventure and fitness gatherings in the region. With its growing popularity, Devil Circuit continues to be more than just a race — it’s a celebration of resilience and the will to go beyond limits.


From the Maldives to the World: Atmosphere Core Sets Its Sights on Global Expansion

From the Maldives to the World: Atmosphere Core Sets Its Sights on Global Expansion

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 17, 2025

Set against the backdrop of a thriving international travel and hospitality sector, Atmosphere Core, a fast-growing hospitality group, gathered its top 30 senior leaders in Dubai on 9th and 10th September 2025 for the annual leadership summit. The central message of the two-day event was clear: global expansion.

During the summit, senior leaders aligned on strategic priorities and reinforced collaboration as the group looks beyond its current presence in the Maldives, India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal to new destinations across Asia and Europe. The sessions emphasized Atmosphere Core’s progressive approach to leadership and its commitment to creating exceptional guest journeys.

image

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Salil Panigrahi, Managing Director of Atmosphere Core, said, “Global expansion is our new direction. As global nomads, we carry with us the Joy of Giving philosophy, the spirit that defines our brands and our people. This annual gathering ensures we remain united, focused, and motivated to move forward. Leadership is about knowing when to push with clear goals and when to pull by guiding and inspiring. Reliability builds trust, and emotional intelligence connects us to our teams and guests. Together, these qualities will drive us as we extend our vision across continents.”

image

Founded in the Maldives just 12 years ago, Atmosphere Core has grown to nine private island resorts and one heritage hotel in India. The group has an ambitious pipeline of 17 hotels across India and upcoming projects in Italy, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. In 2026, Atmosphere Core is set to launch six new properties, further strengthening its international presence.

Atmosphere Core is also credited with reshaping the all-inclusive resort experience in the Indian Ocean through its pioneering ‘Holiday Plan’ concept, which elevated the standard of indulgence and personalization for global travelers.

The 2025 Leadership Summit reaffirmed the company’s commitment to cultivating strong leaders who can build resilient teams, deliver exceptional hospitality, and reinforce Atmosphere Core’s position on the global stage.

Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!

Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.

By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.

Advertise With Us

We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.