Jewellery retailers are becoming a major source of demand in Tamil Nadu’s commercial real estate sector. As brands expand in Chennai and fast-growing tier-II cities, choices about location, visibility and access now play a central role in their strategies.
Chennai ranked as India’s second-largest market for jewellery leasing in 2025, representing 27% of national activity, up from 16% the previous year, according to CBRE South Asia. The city saw about 0.25 million sq. ft. leased in the sector between 2023 and 2025.
Together with Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR and Mumbai, Chennai accounted for more than 90% of total jewellery leasing volume last year.
Retailers generally seek showrooms of 3,000 sq. ft. or larger, with major brands preferring 10,000-12,000 sq. ft. spaces. In prime high-street spots, rents range from ₹250 to ₹300 per sq. ft.
Traditional local brands often buy properties in high-value locations, while national chains favour leasing. Most avoid malls and choose standalone buildings on main roads for better branding and security options.
In Chennai, T. Nagar remains the leading jewellery district, followed by Anna Nagar. New outlets are appearing in suburbs such as Velachery, Chromepet and Tambaram. Cities including Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchi, Erode and Karur are also attracting expansion.
Investment now covers land, design, vaults and parking. Security and accessibility are top priorities, with many retailers favouring sites that offer natural surveillance or dedicated parking facilities.
