Prestige Group’s Ambitious Plan to Rebuild Mall Business: A Thriving Retail Expansion

Prestige Group set to rebuild malls business

In an exciting development, Bengaluru-based Prestige Group is set to make a remarkable comeback in the retail industry, with plans to reconstruct its mall portfolio. After selling a significant portion of its retail business to Nexus Malls, backed by Blackstone, two years ago, Prestige Group aims to establish eight new malls within the next four years. With a clear focus on meeting the growing demands of retailers, the company is poised to expand its current retail portfolio from 2 million sq ft across four malls to an impressive 9 million sq ft across 12 malls.

Expanding Footprint:
Prestige Group’s CEO of Forum Malls, Muhammad Ali, revealed that construction has already commenced for most of the upcoming malls, strategically located in Bengaluru, Kochi, and Chennai. Furthermore, the company is considering venturing into Mumbai and Goa while exploring potential land for mall development in Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. Recognizing the tremendous growth potential of the organized retail sector.

Untapped Potential:
Despite significant progress, organized retail currently represents only about 13% of India’s total retail market. This indicates a vast untapped opportunity for developers to build more malls and cater to the expanding needs of various brands. As retailers experience growth and actively seek additional space, Prestige Group aims to capitalize on this trend and solidify its position as a leader in the mall industry.

New Frontiers:
Ali expressed Prestige Group’s long-standing interest in establishing a mall in Delhi, acknowledging its high potential. Additionally, Hyderabad, a growing city with a youthful population, remains an attractive destination for mall development. The company also has its sights set on Kolkata, West Bengal, provided a suitable land parcel becomes available. With aspirations to deliver exceptional shopping experiences, Prestige Group aims to meet the evolving expectations of consumers seeking quality lifestyle options.

Driving Retail Growth:
The desire for an enhanced quality of life continues to fuel retail growth across the country. Prestige Group’s CEO highlighted the fundamental shift in people’s aspirations, emphasizing the role it plays in propelling the retail sector forward. While the mall rush in India resulted in mixed success, with nearly 50% of malls failing due to incorrect sales strategies, Prestige Group aims to differentiate itself by focusing on leasing rather than outright sales. This strategic approach ensures long-term success and sustains occupancy rates above 90%.

Promising Future:
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, mall operators are projected to achieve revenue growth between 7% and 9% in the current fiscal year. This optimistic outlook can be attributed to high occupancy and leasing rates. The year 2023 is expected to witness the addition of approximately 11 million square feet of mall space in the top seven Indian cities, demonstrating the industry’s resilience and the eagerness of developers to cater to the pent-up demand.

Conclusion:
Prestige Group’s decision to rebuild its mall business signals a significant development in the retail landscape of India. With ambitious expansion plans, the company aims to capitalize on the burgeoning retail market by providing spacious and vibrant malls that meet the evolving demands of retailers and consumers alike. By adopting a leasing-oriented approach and carefully selecting strategic locations, Prestige Group is well-positioned to join the ranks of successful mall operators. As the organized retail sector continues to grow, this expansion promises to unlock new opportunities for both the company and its stakeholders.

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