Direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands leased 5.95 lakh sq ft of retail space in malls and high streets in Jan–Jun 2025, accounting for 18% of total leasing.
Share of retail space leased by D2C brands increased from 8% in Jan–Jun 2024 to 18% in H1 2025.
D2C brands are expanding offline through pop-ups, showrooms, and brick-and-mortar stores to strengthen consumer connections.
Fashion & apparel led D2C leasing (60%), followed by homeware/furnishings (12%), jewellery (12%), and health/personal care (6%).
CBRE highlights that physical stores allow tailored shopping experiences, complementing online channels for omnichannel growth.
Direct-to-consumer brands took on rent 5.95 lakh sq ft retail spaces in malls and high-street during the January-June period of 2025, contributing 18% to the total leasing activities, according to CBRE.
The direct-to-consumer (D2C) model is a retail strategy where a company produces its products and sells them to customers directly through its own channels, like website, physical outlets, online marketplaces, and social media platforms, real estate consultant CBRE explained.
3 February 2026
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In its latest report 'India's D2C Revolution: The New Retail Order', CBRE highlighted "India's D2C brands are increasing their offline presence to enhance their connect with the consumers".
As compared to 8% in January-June 2024, the share of retail space leasing by these new-age brands has gone up to 18% in the first half of 2025.
These brands are expanding into physical retail through a mix of formats, from pop-up shops and showrooms to traditional brick-and-mortar stores.
In the first six months of 2025, the D2C brands have leased 5,94,848 sq ft of retail spaces.
Anshuman Magazine, Chairman and CEO - India, South-East Asia, Middle East and & Africa at CBRE, noted that offline expansion of D2C brands may be called as their 'mainstreaming'.
"While online shopping continues to grow, physical purchases still account for a majority of transactions, making omnichannel growth important. Unlike a standardised online experience, a physical store allows brands to create a tailored shopping environment that helps them connect deeply with their target audience and reinforce their ethos," Magazine said.
The fashion & apparel sector dominated the leasing by D2C brands in the January-June period of 2025, with a share of 60%. This was followed by homeware and furnishings (12%), jewellery (12%), and health and personal care (6%).
