India, Oct. 28 -- India's retail real estate market recorded approximately 5.8 million sq ft of space absorption in the first nine months of 2026, registering a year-on-year increase of around 19%, according to a CBRE Research report released at the 22nd edition of CII Realty 2026 in New Delhi on October 28.

Delhi-NCR led retail space absorption during January-September 2026, with approximately 1.9 million sq ft leased, followed by Mumbai at around 1 million sq ft and Hyderabad at approximately 0.9 million sq ft.

Amid inflationary pressures, cautious consumer sentiment and limited supply, retailers focused on calibrated expansion, long-term store performance and profitability. Delhi-NCR, Mumbai and Hyderabad together accounted for appro...