World’s Top Corporate Entities, Retail Brands Betting Big on India’s Commercial Real Estate

By Amish Bhutani, MD, Group 108

The commercial real estate sector is moving beyond growth limitations as the demand across office, retail and industrial segments surges. For multinational corporations and retail giants, the country offers a potent mix of workforce depth, digital readiness and consumption-led growth, making it an increasingly indispensable part of their long-term commercial footprint.

The latest CBRE Asia-Pacific Market Sentiment Survey points to India’s exceptional resilience in the regional commercial real estate landscape. Unlike most APAC markets, India stands out as one of the few where confidence levels across office, retail and industrial and logistics sectors remain consistently above the neutral 50 per cent mark.

This optimism is being fuelled by strong activity in sectors like IT, BFSI and the continued growth of GCCs. The trend not only highlights India’s enduring market stability but also reinforces its position as a strategic and reliable destination for global investment and enterprise expansion.

Moreover, the report states that India’s office market sentiment, which saw a surge between September 2024 and June 2025, is crossing the 70 per cent threshold. This rise reflects sustained confidence in the office leasing environment, placing India well ahead of many of its Asia-Pacific counterparts in terms of market momentum and investor optimism.

Besides, India’s commercial real estate growth is being driven by diverse factors each contributing uniquely to the momentum. In Delhi-NCR, particularly Noida-Greater Noida, there’s a rare blend of office and retail growth unfolding simultaneously, fuelled by infrastructure upgrades and competitive pricing. On the office front, the availability of large land parcels has attracted IT parks while the region’s modern infrastructure has compelled global businesses to establish their presence.

According to JLL, Delhi-NCR recorded 9.4 million sq ft (MSF) of net absorption in 2024 with 2.9 MSF absorbed in Q4 alone, largely driven by expansion from GCCs and MNCs. Particularly in Noida-Greater Noida, sectors such as IT/ITeS, BFSI and start-ups accounted for 56 per cent of gross leasing activity across India in 2024.

Apple’s top global vendor, Foxconn, is exploring the possibility of setting up a manufacturing facility in Greater Noida. The company is reportedly eyeing a 300-acre plot along the Yamuna Expressway. Other tech giants and multinational corporations, like Infosys, Wipro, Microsoft and Samsung, have established major offices in Noida, contributing to the region’s infrastructural growth.

Coming to the retail segment, corridors like the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway are witnessing a surge in leasing activity from premium and lifestyle brands, transforming the landscape into a full-spectrum commercial zone. For developers, the opportunity is clear: to curate Grade A+ ESG-compliant office-retail formats and capitalise on them.

Besides, enhanced connectivity through the Aqua and Blue metro lines, along with the upcoming Noida International Airport and Noida Film City, continues to bring in multinational firms and service providers eyeing long-term growth. Furthermore, the newly approved project by the UP government, the “New Noida” project near Greater Noida, is expected to accelerate real estate growth in various sectors.

Therefore, backed by favourable demographics, surging consumption, digital-first infrastructure and progressive urban planning, India is redefining what future-ready commercial ecosystems look like. As global corporations and retail giants intensify their India focus, Noida-Greater Noida stands out as a strategic anchor, set to evolve into one of the country’s most dynamic and diversified commercial hubs.

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect Realty&More’s views.