Delhi’s Khan Market, long seen as the crown jewel of Indian retail, has slipped one spot to 24th in Cushman & Wakefield’s latest “Main Streets Across the World” report. Even with the dip, it holds on to its title as India’s most expensive high street, a sign of how strongly it continues to attract luxury brands, restaurateurs, and boutique labels. At the same time, Gurugram’s Galleria Market has surged to the top of the Asia-Pacific rankings, with Connaught Place close behind, reinforcing NCR’s growing dominance in the country’s retail ecosystem. These shifts point to a larger change in how India shops today: a blend of heritage, convenience, affluence, and the rise of experience-driven retail streets.
Khan Market’s Enduring Legacy
A walk through Khan Market feels less like visiting a shopping district and more like joining an ongoing conversation. Created in 1951 for refugees from the North-West Frontier Province, the market has grown into a landmark where old-world charm sits comfortably beside upscale restaurants and international boutiques. Its narrow lanes and familiar façades carry decades of stories, from the early days of modest storefronts to its current status as an elite retail destination. The aroma of fresh food, the hum of conversations spilling out of cafés, and the sight of generations of loyal patrons create a sense of continuity that few markets can match.
Even as global rankings shift, Khan Market’s appeal barely wavers. Diplomats, long-time residents, professionals, and tourists form the steady stream that keeps the area buzzing from morning to night. Rents remain the highest in the country, but for retailers, the prestige of being here justifies the price. What sets Khan Market apart is its sense of familiarity — international brands sit next to age-old bookstores, family cafés thrive beside designer labels — creating a blend of heritage and modern comfort that keeps Delhi returning. In a city that constantly transforms, Khan Market proves that tradition, when preserved with care, can stay relevant.
Gurugram’s Galleria Market Rising
Gurugram’s Galleria Market tells a very different story, one of modern ambition and changing lifestyles. Once a simple neighborhood hub, it has quickly grown into one of Asia-Pacific’s most valuable high streets. Strong rental growth in early 2025 reflects how desirable the address has become. Its broad walkways, contemporary storefronts, and bustling cafés match the pace of a city defined by corporate energy and global aspirations.
Galleria’s rise aligns neatly with what today’s shoppers want: convenience, accessibility, and a seamless mix of shopping and leisure. Families spend their weekends wandering through its lanes, while young professionals treat it as an after-hours extension of their workday. Rooftop cafés, lifestyle stores, and specialty boutiques make it feel like a curated urban playground. In only a few years, Galleria has moved from being a local favourite to a regional star, illustrating how India’s high streets are evolving beyond heritage nostalgia into lifestyle-first destinations.
Connaught Place and NCR’s Retail Strength
Connaught Place remains the timeless heart of Delhi retail. Its iconic white colonnades and circular design have staged decades of cultural and commercial history. Office workers rushing for lunch, families browsing old bookstores, and tourists exploring heritage corridors all add to the market’s enduring rhythm. Its mix of legacy eateries, global brands, and classic cafés makes it one of the country’s most sought-after shopping districts even today.
Together, Khan Market, Galleria, and Connaught Place create a retail triangle that defines NCR’s unmatched influence. The region offers something rare: markets that preserve cultural memory alongside contemporary hubs built for a new generation of shoppers. This diversity reflects how Indian retail is changing — not by abandoning tradition, but by reshaping it to fit modern habits.
Across NCR, these streets stand as reminders that cities can grow, adapt, and innovate while still holding on to the stories that shaped them.
