Archive: November 29, 2025

The retail real estate landscape is evolving into a far more intelligent and intuitive ecosystem. Instinct and legacy brand appeal are now being complemented and often guided by sophisticated data insights. Developers today are mapping catchment behaviour, footfall patterns, spending profiles, and dwell times with precision, using these indicators to curate experiences rather than just lease spaces. Amid this scenario, the tenant mix has become a refined exercise in strategy, bringing a balance between aspiration and utility. By aligning fashion, F&B, entertainment, and daily retail needs through data-led decisions, developers are maximising both engagement and return on every square foot.

Data-Driven Leasing: How Tenant Mix Drives Retail ROI

According to data from Cushman & Wakefield, retail leasing across top eight cities has reached about 2.41 million square feet (msf), growing by 7.6% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) and a massive 45% year-on-year (YoY). The Delhi-NCR region is among India’s top three retail markets, clocking 0.51 msf of leasing – a huge growth of 70% compared to Q2CY25 – led by fashion, food and beverage (F&B) and entertainment. The data further showed that fashion (21%), Food & Beverage (19%), and entertainment (16%) accounted for over half of the leasing activity in the September quarter.

Behind every successful retail destination today lies a quiet layer of intelligence: the science of tenant mix. Leasing teams are no longer relying on conventional wisdom; they’re decoding consumer behaviour in real time. Advanced tools such as Wi-Fi tracking, heat mapping, and loyalty app analytics now reveal how shoppers move, pause, and spend within a space. This continuous flow of insights allows developers to fine-tune their leasing strategy, reshuffling underperforming categories and reinforcing those that resonate with evolving demand clusters. It’s a dynamic, data-informed process that keeps retail environments fresh, relevant, and consistently revenue-generating.

Yukti Nagpal, Director, Gulshan Group says, “Real-time data from parking systems and visitor-tracking apps is enabling a far sharper understanding of consumption rhythms. These insights help us identify under-served segments, refine floor zoning and curate a tenant mix that maximises both retailer performance and overall mall ROI. We consistently observe that when F&B, entertainment and fashion are strategically balanced, dwell time increases meaningfully. Data is becoming the new leasing compass—ensuring every square foot delivers measurable and sustainable value.”

Pankaj Jain, Founder and CMD, SPJ Group, says, “In Gurugram’s high-potential micro-markets, premium retail thrives on understanding the subtle shifts in consumer intent. These neighbourhoods attract a blend of globally exposed professionals and affluent families, and their expectations from a retail space are evolving rapidly. What we see from consumer behaviour is a strong preference for experiential formats: boutique fashion, fine dining, wellness, and curated leisure. This is of utmost importance to study consumers’ expectations and buying behaviour patterns, to create a much more desired and impactful brand thereby create the greatest impact.”

Giving views on how data shapes retail strategy, Umang Jindal, CEO, Homeland Group, says, “In high-density markets, leasing is all about precision. Here, data has become essential to shaping a retail environment that truly mirrors the aspirations of the catchment. The audience is younger, tech-savvy, and experience-driven, which means every leasing decision must be backed by clear behavioural insights. Our analytics framework tracks category performance to ensure each tenant strengthens the ecosystem’s overall vitality. Ultimately, data helps us build not just a mall, but a living ecosystem that evolves with its consumers.”

Siddharth Katyal, CEO, Bhumika Realty, said, “Earlier, tenant curation was based largely on intuition and brand relationships. Today, it’s a quantifiable process. We rely on a blend of demographic analysis and performance mapping to identify which categories resonate most with our visitors. For instance, data may reveal a higher conversion potential in F&B or family entertainment for a specific micro-market. The goal is not just to fill space but to ensure a symbiotic ecosystem where anchor brands pull traffic and smaller stores benefit equally. That’s how leasing becomes a value chain, not a random assortment.”

Moreover, data has quietly become the new differentiator in retail leasing – the factor that separates intuitive design from informed precision. Developers are increasingly collaborating with PropTech and retail analytics partners to forecast demand, measure performance, and predict shifting consumer preferences with remarkable accuracy. This analytical foundation enables more strategic brand curation, resulting in stronger synergies between tenants and a healthier revenue mix. 

Ishwin Singh Hora, Director, Reach Group, says, “Retail ROI today is shaped by how thoughtfully a developer interprets and integrates customer insights. Assessing catchment behaviour, footfall variations, and spending patterns helps in curating tenant mixes that maintain a balance between experiential offerings and everyday convenience. This approach fosters consistent footfall and long-term value creation. While data informs our decisions, it complements-rather than replaces-industry experience. The real strength lies in harmonizing analytics with a nuanced understanding of local culture, consumer behaviour, and evolving lifestyle dynamics.”

Ajendra Singh, Vice-President, Sales and Marketing, Spectrum@Metro , says, “In malls, data has become the quiet architect of experience. What we earlier viewed as isolated metrics: peak hours, repeat visits, or category sales now stitches together a holistic picture of how people actually live their day inside a retail space. For us, the goal is not just higher footfall but meaningful engagement. Insights help us create intuitive journeys: placing discovery-led brands where curiosity is highest, or strengthening convenience zones where families gather. When you use data to understand intent, leasing stops being transactional; it becomes a way to design joy, loyalty, and long-term value.”

Therefore, as developers increasingly harness predictive analytics and digital intelligence, tenant mix emerges as the true measure of retail success. Every decision, grounded in data yet shaped by instinct, contributes to creating destinations that are adaptive, enduring, and emotionally engaging, transforming retail into a living, learning experience, one dataset at a time.

New Delhi, Nov 28:  Black Friday, now one of India’s biggest retail celebrations, returns with unmatched excitement at Nexus Select CITYWALK. City’s most loved shopping destination, is all set to host the Black Friday Sale from 28th November 2025 onwards featuring offers of up to 50% across 40+ brands, spanning fashion, beauty, electronics, accessories, home décor, and more. Shoppers can also enjoy extended hours, with the mall open until 11 PM on weekends.

This year, shoppers can look forward to a bigger and more rewarding experience, with a wider range of participating categories from fast fashion and beauty to latest electronics and lifestyle essentials. In addition to blockbuster discounts, Nexus Select CITYWALK has curated exciting giveaways, assured gifts, and special rewards for shoppers. Customers can upload their shopping bills on the Nexus ONE app to receive exclusive Black Friday rewards, including 2X reward points, making every purchase even more gratifying. Customers can also receive a designer NSCW tote on purchases of ₹10,000 and above made through the app.

This year, the mall is running an overarching sale across several prominent brands, including Nespresso, Estee Lauder, Bath And Body Work, Aldo, Charles and Keith, Coyu, Bombay Shirt Company, Athletifreak, Adidas, Dyson, Le Creuset and many more.

Head to Nexus Select CITYWALK and celebrate Black Friday with style, savings, and surprises. It’s the perfect time to shop and enjoy a festive atmosphere filled with incredible bargains and delightful rewards. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to grab the best deals of the season and refresh your wardrobe or home with top-quality products at unbeatable prices  only at Nexus Select CITYWALK

What: Black Friday Sale at Nexus Select CITYWALK
When: November 28 – 30, 2025
Where:Nexus Select CITYWALK
Timings: Mall timings, as applicable (Shoppers can also enjoy extended hours, with the mall open until 11 PM on weekends.)

New-Age Professionals Dump Loyalty for Learning: 50% Say Tenure No Longer Defines Success, Reveals Genius HRTech Survey

Genius HRTech Limited (formerly known as Genius Consultants Limited), a leading Workforce Staffing Services & HR Solutions provider, has released the findings of its latest Digipoll Survey Report exploring the changing meaning of career loyalty in India’s evolving employment landscape. The survey, conducted among 1,607 professionals across sectors, reveals that modern employees are increasingly driven by learning opportunities, flexibility, and growth rather than traditional long-term commitments to a single employer.

When asked how long respondents ideally see themselves staying with their current employer, 55% said around 3–5 years, adding that it largely depends on growth opportunities. 25% expressed a preference for long-term stability and belonging (5 years or more), while 20% said they would stay less than 2 years, citing value change and new experiences as reasons.

On the question of switching jobs for a slightly higher pay but similar role, a large majority of 67% said they would evaluate the move based on learning and workplace culture. 24% admitted they would switch immediately for better pay, while only 9% said they would stay loyal, insisting money alone wouldn’t make them move.

The idea of loyalty itself has shifted. When asked how they define ‘career loyalty’ today, 50% said loyalty is outdated and adaptability matters more. 30% defined it as staying committed to one’s profession or craft rather than to an employer, while only 20% viewed it as staying long-term with one organisation.

Career advancement continues to dominate decision-making. 68% said career progression and leadership exposure are the top motivators when considering a new job, followed by 21% valuing flexible work culture and work-life balance, and 11% choosing brand reputation and job security.

When presented with the scenario of an internal transfer or new role instead of a promotion, 46% said they would accept it as lateral moves help in growth, 36% said maybe, provided it leads to future advancement, and 18% rejected the idea, saying they prefer clear upward movement.

On job mobility, 57% of respondents said staying longer builds credibility and trust, while 34% believed balance is key, choosing to switch only for meaningful advancement. 9% felt switching jobs frequently helps them learn faster.

However, when asked if employers invest enough in retaining them, only 25% said yes, feeling valued and supported. 40% said appreciation is visible but inconsistent, while 35% disagree feeling retention efforts are mostly reactive.

Commenting on the findings, Mr. R P Yadav, Chairman and Managing Director of Genius HRTech Limited, said,

“The definition of loyalty has evolved with the workforce. Today’s professionals seek purpose, flexibility, and consistent growth rather than longevity alone. For employers, this means reimagining retention strategies; focusing less on tenure and more on trust, recognition, and career progression.”

The report highlights that India’s emerging workforce is not “disloyal” but dynamically loyal motivated by workplaces that invest in their potential, align with their values, and offer meaningful growth.

Mumbai, Nov 28: Huggies, one of India’s leading baby care brands from Kimberly-Clark, has unveiled its newest campaign featuring the mischievous ‘Geelu Monster’ – a character that brings to life a very real problem every parent faces: prolonged wetness on their baby’s skin.

The campaign introduces a fresh, distinctive storytelling approach to reinforce Huggies’ core proposition as India’s Fastest Absorbing Diaper – a claim anchored on a key category driver and a testament to the brand’s superior technology and deep understanding of parents’ needs.

During consumer immersions, moms shared a powerful truth they often didn’t realize how long their baby’s skin stayed wet before the diaper absorbed fully. Many believed their current brand worked just as well. The Geelu Monster was created to make this invisible discomfort visible symbolizing the unseen wetness that causes irritation and discomfort for babies.

The campaign shows how Huggies, India’s Fastest Absorbing Diaper, can defeat the Geelu Monster – keeping a baby’s skin dry and comfortable almost instantly.

To make the brand’s message more relatable and memorable, the campaign articulates the functional benefit in a simple and powerful way – “Absorbs in 9 seconds.” This claim landed strongly in consumer testing, with moms easily recalling and repeating it.

Shweta Vig, Marketing Director, Kimberly-Clark India, said:

“The Geelu Monster is more than just a fun creative idea – it’s a powerful way to connect emotionally with parents and highlight a very real issue babies face. By turning an invisible discomfort into a visible story, we’re helping moms see how quickly and effectively Huggies keeps their little ones dry. The campaign is designed to be both engaging and insightful, and reflects our ongoing commitment to bring innovation and empathy into every Huggies experience.”

The new Huggies ‘Geelu Monster’ campaign rolls out across television, digital, and social media platforms, supported by engaging influencer and on-ground activations that bring the character and story to life for parents across India.