The Phoenix Mills Limited

Quarter ended Jun 2026

2026-07-29 Transcript PDF
Moderator

Thank you sir. We will now begin the question-and-answer session. Ladies and gentlemen, we will wait for a moment while the question queue assembles. The first question comes from the line of Puneet Gulati with HSBC. Please go ahead.

Thank you so much for the opportunity. My first question is with respect to the plan to launch Kolkata and the second phase of Bengaluru’s residential project. What sort of product are you envisaging for Kolkata and now you are talking of early 2027. What's driving this delay in launch?

Varun Parwal

So, I think Puneet both products at Kolkata and Bengaluru are planned as premium residential projects. Especially if you look at Bengaluru, we have seen phenomenal demand for the product and the location and the amenities that we have created. And during this quarter we were actually able to sell at an average price of (approx.) Rs. 36,000 per square feet. That is 50% higher than what we were selling back in 2024 or I mean double of what we were selling back in 2022. So, I think if I just talk about Bengaluru first there is a very strong demand for the product and the community that we have created. And I would say more than the delay the timeline just accounts for time it would take for approvals and RERA approvals, etc. So, it's more indicative. Right. It's not like there is a delay or something. And I think same for Kolkata as well. I think we are looking at

replicating the experience we have seen with One Bangalore West and Kessaku wherein we have a premium gated community. And the first of its kind in a city that has been starved of luxury residential projects.

And can you give some sense of realization there and area that you will finally end up launching?

Varun Parwal

So, I think sorry you are talking about Kolkata or Bengaluru?

Kailash Gupta

So, Puneet total area is likely to be around 1.2 million square feet at Kolkata. And the launch price could be in the range of I mean right now I don't have an exact number but could be around +/-30,000 in a few percentage.

Okay. That's good. Thank you so much. And second on the even on the Bengaluru PMC expansion it was scheduled to come in 2026. Now that's coming in 2027, 170,000 square feet. How does one read that?

Varun Parwal

It's not I think what we are adding not just the third floor but within the mall itself we have undertaken significant renovation and the change in tenant mix that Rashmi spoke about earlier. That in itself has been very disruptive per se to the entire customer experience, and we thought that just a bit more prudent to stagger it rather than trying to do everything at once. So, now in Bengaluru as well occupancy has moved back up to 89% Uniqlo and the other retailers have opened up and several others are under fit out. And this floor on this additional floor that we are adding in Bengaluru is entirely an F&B oriented floor. So, we have 30-plus restaurants that we are going to add in here. And when we say 2027 where it's a calendar year guidance it's more like early 2027.

OK. Understood. That's very helpful. And lastly, while we completely understand the gap between consumption and rental here attributable to jewelry and electronics but this time the even on the fashion retail side the consumption growth was very strong at almost 24%. Should one think of rental growth catching up to that sort of number into next few quarters or wishful thinking?

Rashmi Sen

So, as far as our rental growth is concerned 50 % of our portfolio is coming up for lease expiry over the next three years. So, there's a substantial opportunity for us to capture the market trends through all these renewals and releasing for this portfolio. And Varun also mentioned all the new assets that we will be adding over the next few years. And so we see substantial rental growth coming from this addition that we are doing and the upcoming expir ies. And as regards the correlation between consumption and rental growth like you rightly mentioned the difference between consumption and growth is

primarily driven by the mix of our categories and commercial structures. And without jewelry and gold our consumption is at 24% and rent is at 17%. Now it's important to remember that our business is actually built on a partnership model with retailers. Our objective is not simply to keep maximizing rental growth in the short term, but we want to create an environment where retailers can grow their sales substantially. And then strong retailer productivity will ultimately translate into stronger and durable growth. While you are seeing the growth a lot of the brands in the fashion category may have not reached threshold levels in spite of the growth that you are seeing because our market rents are generally competitive. And as we see further growth and more of these brands reaching the threshold sales , we will continue to see higher productivity on the variable revenue share side of the rental income as well.

Okay that's very good. Thank you so much and all the best.

Moderator

Thank you. The next question comes from the line of Pritesh Sheth with Axis Capital. Please go ahead.

Axis Capital

Thanks for the opportunity. A couple of questions. Firstly, how should we look at these 8.7- odd million square feet of expiries over five years in terms of the mark -to-market or the upside potential that one can think of. Right. Like where are the current minimum guarantees versus current market rentals that you are on an average blended you are charging. So, just some sort of guidance on that on how should we see in the upside potential.

Varun Parwal

Sure Pritesh. I would avoid talking about what could happen in the future Pritesh. But from what we have done in the past I think we have used our rental expiries in a very conducive manner wherein not only have we been able to renew and retain the key tenants but at the same time create space to bring in new tenants and overall drive rental growth by 20 % to 30%. And that in itself has been a strong boost to what you see in terms of rental growth across the portfolio. We also use rental expiries to create new experiential zones like today if you look at Mall of Asia, within three years of opening Mall of Asia has reached a trading density of Rs. 3,000 a square feet. I don't think this is a number that anyone in the community was expecting a mall to report and it is even more remarkable considering it has come within three years of the asset becoming operational. And we are using the learnings from Mall of Asia, Mall of the Millennium and (Palladium) Ahmedabad to relook at the experiences and the brands that we can bring across our existing mature assets to drive further growth, consumption and rental over there.

Axis Capital

Sure, got it. Just as a follow -up a couple of questions there. Out of this 8.7 how much proportion would be anchor expiries and I am sure this is at the current leasable area basis will there be densification which we would be targeting in this like one larger brand replacing multiple smaller brands and hence area generating rent itself goes up. So, if you can just help us with these two things if at all you can.

Rashmi Sen

So, specifically on that question I think it's asset -to-asset where we feel that we can optimize the asset better by bringing a larger number of inline brands. And I think this strategy is really asset based. And on your other question we are seeing healthy growth in terms of consumption, and we expect to continue to see healthy growth in consumption going forward as well as we have a great pipeline of new brands that want to come into our assets. As most of our assets are leased at close to 97 % to 98% and so this enables us the opportunity both the consumption growth as well as the wait list pipeline that we have of retailers who are not in the center who want to come in. It gives us the opportunity to increase the renewal rents at much higher rate than market rates. However , we are also conscious of keeping the occupancy costs of the retailers because we want them to continue to profit as well in our malls. And I think Lucknow (Phoenix Palassio) is a great example where you have seen some very positive growth from the last year to this. If you look at it (Phoenix Palassio) Lucknow is a classic example because it's in the 6th year and while the anchors have not come up for expiry as yet, we have seen a good rental income growth of 8 % and consumption growth of 21%. We have the anchors coming up for expiry in I think 3 years in that center.

Axis Capital

Sure. And just on anchors like how much would be the total proportion of this 8.7?

Varun Parwal

Pritesh we don't have that breakup right now. We also don’t think that it may be relevant because we actually focus on category to category and ensuring that our malls are a complete “One-Stop Destination” . Right. So, we will actually try and look at what customers expect to find in a leading mall and ensure that our malls are designed to capture the customers complete discretionary wallet not just say, Fashion or F&B etc.

Axis Capital

Sure. And second on the future developments so I think in Slide #30 you have mentioned Lower Parel we are adding 1.6 million square feet of offices. I thought Project Rise was a million square feet office and a 3 lakh square feet retail. So, just one clarification on that and what is the total potential at Thane and Chandigarh since whatever we are developing now is just part of the 1st Phase. So, yes that is my last question.

Varun Parwal

Sure. So, I think in Lower Parel we are building Project Rise but we also have an office tower adjacent to Project Rise that is coming up at the same time. So, combined the leasable area would be 1.5 to 1.6 million square feet.

And secondly to your question on Thane , I think the overall potential on paper Pritesh should be in excess of 4 million square feet. But we believe that it may not be financially prudent to consume that entire potential today at one go. So, what we have planned is a retail mall development of 1.3 million square feet. A hotel with about 400 keys and an office with about 1.2 million square feet with the potential to add a third tower to consume the balance FSI. And in Chandigarh also , right now what we are using is the base FSI potential and some extra FSI that we have secured to build a retail mall of about 1.5 to 1.7 million square feet. And further on top of the mall, we would have the potential to add two towers but that's a decision that we would take later whether we add two hotels, or we add some other use to complement the retail development.

Axis Capital

Got it. Very helpful. Thanks and all the best.

Varun Parwal

Thank you.

Moderator

The next question comes from the line of Kunal Lakhan with CLSA. Please go ahead.

Hi. Thanks for taking my question. Firstly, it's been some time since we acquired land like we were quite active in 2023 and 2024 in terms of land acquisition. But it's been some time now and considering the fact that some of the under-construction assets will get completed in FY27 and FY28 and the kind of liquidity that we have how should we look at capital allocation towards land going into 2027 and 2028? You have highlighted in your presentation the markets that you will be actively looking at. So, I just wanted some color on that.

Kailash Gupta

Sure. So, at any point of time Phoenix normally is in discussion with 2 to 3 land owners minimum and it takes time to materialize because it's a very complicated process right from getting into the land and understanding the legality of it and diligence. So, definitely we are looking at it in a very constructive way in acquisitions also but we will be very judicious in selecting the land parcel s in different cities or at different locations. So, hopefully you will hear some news in the next few quarters.

Varun Parwal

I think Kunal one thing also to look at is from a capital allocation perspective is the fact that we are reinvesting within our assets to densify these developments. Now these densification projects are very IRR accretive for us because the land cost is already absorbed within the retail mall. So, it's only the incremental cost of FSI and construction pieces which we are building a hotel or an office or at times both across our projects. Like even in Lucknow at this point in time , we are looking at adding some additional retail and a hotel on top of the retail mall in (Phoenix Palassio) Lucknow. So, don't just look at what land we acquire or we secure but also the new assets that we are adding on top. Plus , of course we have not spoken about Lower Parel, but we also have further development potential at Lower Parel and what we do at Lower Parel can at times equal to two or three land acquisitions output effectively. And like Kailash said we are very active ly in

discussions. So, I think as and when we are able to close and announce the new acquisitions I think you will get more visibility on the pipeline beyond 2030 as well.

Understood. Second question is on the expiries that we spoke about. More than 50% of our area is coming up for renewal or expiring. Just want to understand how do we approach this in terms of, say, how much of this area will get renewed versus, say, an active churn to maximize the trading density?

Rashmi Sen

Typically, as far as the expiries are concerned, we start planning well in advance. For example, in Indore and Ahmedabad, the first set of 5 lakh square feet expiries are going to come up after a year. The team has already started strategizing and planning in terms of the renewal approach for these brands. Like I mentioned in the previous question, you also have to create space for some of the newer high -performing brands that didn't get an opportunity to enter the asset when we were opening the asset five years back. So, you also have to have somewhat a bit of a churn strategy, which enables those brands to come into the asset as well. There's really sort of deep thinking and strategy that goes into it well in advance, one year, sometimes two years in advance.

How do you approach this in terms of you tend to look at mark-to-market and rentals that you will be able to achieve or mark-to-market in terms of trading densities that you will be able to achieve?

Rashmi Sen

I think it's multiple factors really because fortunately most of our assets are performing as an outlier in every city. So, there is that opportunity to command higher market rentals because of the way they are performing and the way the outlook looks for the next few years and for most of our brands fortunately they see that their performance in our malls is the highest so they also partner with us in terms of our rental expectations because they know that they will continue to see sales growth in our centers and so really it's multiple. You study the categories, you will study the brand performance, it will be the overall vision and strategy for the center that we have. For example, F&B is a big focus area for us going forward. In some of our centers we are also converting some of the retail spaces into F&B to enable 15%-16% of the area being F&B. We want to take our Gourmet Village to other centers. So, I think it's not just about rent maximization. It's about an overall vision and strategy that we have which is individual to each center keeping the long -term objective both for us as well as our retail partners in view.

One last question from my side in terms of, we did phenomenally well in terms of our Bengaluru asset (Phoenix Mall of Asia) , in terms of growing the consumption as well as trading densities. I think outside of that also, we have done fairly well with some of the other assets like (Palladium) Ahmedabad, the new Pune Mall (Phoenix Mall of the Millennium), where we have seen some healthy growth in consumption. Do you think this kind of growth will continue on this new base for even these newer assets, like, say, 20%- 25% consumption growth going into 2027 and 2028 maybe?

Rashmi Sen

We are seeing that this growth is continuing in July. July, the indication is that it will end with over 20% growth. We are seeing this trend continuing going forward in terms of a healthy double-digit growth in consumption.

Okay, great. Thank you so much, and all the best.

Moderator

Thank you. The next question comes from the line of Parvez Kazi with Nuvama Group. Please go ahead.

Nuvama Group

Hi. Good afternoon. Congratulations for a great set of numbers. So, two questions from my side. First, I know Project Rise as well as Rise -3 is maybe two years down the line, but considering that the overall office market and especially in Lower Parel is doing really well, what are our thoughts on preleasing there? Do we want to lock in some deals today or do you think we will wait and do this only near completion? Also, what is the kind of rates that we could potentially target here? That's the first question. The second is, last year we had also bought additional FSI in Lower Parel, about 1.5 million square feet. So, by when can we finalize the development plans for the same? Thank you.

Varun Parwal

Sure, Parvez. So, let me take the first question. I think on Rise offices, we have first created an outstanding product. I don't think people will find a product like this anywhere else in Mumbai. This is going to be the best office product in the city and we are already seeing very strong demand from tenants. We have not disclosed it in our presentation, but we have started pre -leasing. We have already committed some of the area already and the rental guidance that I can give you is that we are looking at closing deals in a range of, say, Rs. 350 to Rs. 400 on the leasable area basis. Does that answer your question?

Nuvama Group

That answers, yes. Thank you.

Varun Parwal

And can you repeat your question two once again, please?

Nuvama Group

About the additional FSI that we acquired in Lower Parel last year, about 1.4, 1.5 million square feet. So, by when will we be able to finalize a development plan for that?

Varun Parwal

I think our development plans are progressing around nicely. We have also secured several of the approvals required for it also. I think give us time to open Rise Retail and then we will come out and share our further plans for the Lower Parel asset.

Girish Choudhary

Yes. Hi. Good morning. Thanks for the opportunity. Firstly, I mean, if you look at the consumption growth, right, jewelry and electronics have contributed disproportionately not only this quarter but in the past few quarters as well, right? So, and also the revenue sharing or the rental as a percentage of consumption is lower in these categories, right? So, if you could give us contribution of these categories to the retail rental income, it will be really helpful understanding the underlying growth of the rest of the retail portfolio, right? Because going ahead, what can also happen, right, because if the gold prices are down, which we have seen from peak levels at some point in time, it will also impact the consumption negatively, these two categories. So, how should we understand this from a broader portfolio, rest of the other categories?

Varun Parwal

Sure, Girish. I think together, jewelry and electronics occupy only around 5% of our trading area, but they contribute 28% of consumption, and they contribute about 7.5% of rental. Rashmi has already spoken about the rental economics of these categories, wherein they tend to have a very high fixed rental, and minimal to low revenue share percentage. The important part is that in terms of consumption, they actually have a productivity which is 5 times the portfolio average and these categories also bring very high intent visits around weddings, festivals, product launches, and replacement cycles. Once customers come to the mall, the visit often extends to fashion, dining, and entertainment as well. Thes e categories actually strengthen the entire mall ecosystem while using relatively limited space. To your question on gold prices, we recognize that jewelry growth can partly reflect higher gold prices, and at some point this may come off. The important point to note is that consumption does not translate into rental income one-on-one. Today, you are seeing the disproportionate growth between consumption growth of jewelry and electronics vis-à-vis the rental growth. At the same time, if you take out jewelry and electronics, the rest of the portfolio, which is ~70% of the portfolio, has grown at 24%. Fashion and other brands have grown at 24%, F&B has grown at 26%, and the rental growth for the rest of the portfolio has been at 17%. The gap between consumption and rental growth is very low for the rest of the portfolio.

Girish Choudhary

Got it. That's helpful. Just to clarify, you mentioned the rentals from jewelry and electronics is 7.5% of the total rental.

Varun Parwal

Yes.

Girish Choudhary

Got it. That's useful. And second, if you could also help us understand, when can we see the convergence of trading occupancy and the leased occupancy for the Phoenix MarketCity Bangalore Mall ? Because there I see a higher gap versus some of the other malls.

Girish Choudhary

Okay. Got it. Thank you.

Varun Parwal

Thank you.

Moderator

The next question comes from the line of Abhinav Sinha with Jefferies. Please go ahead.

Jefferies

Hi. Just a couple of things to ask. Firstly, on consumption, we have had very strong quarters, last two of them. How is July trending? And do you think that once we have the new area expansions in base in Palladium and Bangalore, this will start to come down?

Rashmi Sen

So, you will see that our trading densities have also gone up in line with our consumption. So, while consumption is growing at 32%, trading densities are also growing at 26%. So, you are seeing a per square feet growth in trading across all our centers. And like you rightly said, in some of our assets, in both Bengaluru and Pune assets, our occupancy is currently at 89%. And while these assets are leased over 95%, you will see those assets getting filled up as well in terms of higher trading occupancies. And with more stores and malls opening, we expect that the trading densities will continue to rise, whereby the consumption will continue to rise. Even though these assets are becoming sort of more and more mature, we are seeing that the trading densities and consumption will continue to rise across assets.

Jefferies

Okay. And just a question on July. I mean, any let -up there? Is there like, say, a one -off in the previous quarter, say, early?

Rashmi Sen

So, July, we are already seeing that July will see healthy growth over 20%. So, July is already trending well.

Jefferies

Okay. Second question is on the expansion bit. And you have discussed the Project Rise Commercial. Can you also talk about how the Phoenix Palladium Mall will shape out? In the next couple of years in terms of area and what are you planning in terms of new stores?

Rashmi Sen

So that's an interesting question. Phoenix Palladium continues to be a flagship asset. And we continue to always think ahead of time in terms of bringing new experiences and new brands to our customers. And that journey will continue because our vision keeps evolving. What we are looking at in the next financial year is, we are looking at opening the next new phase of expansion, which is going to be about 4.5 lakh square feet. And that is where we are working on currently in terms of planning the tenant mix and leasing of that 4.5 lakh square feet, where we have already completed leasing of about 50% of that area.

Jefferies

Okay. And this will open in late ‘27, right, the whole 4.5 lakh?

Jefferies

Okay, got it. Thank you and all the best.

Moderator

The next question comes from the line of Akash Gupta with Nomura. Please go ahead.

Hi, sir. Congratulations on a good set of results. So, my first question is related to your Slide # 27. So, for the Surat Mall, we were expecting the completion in 2027, and I am seeing it's ‘27-28. So, in addition to the Bangaluru expansion, has there been any delay for the Surat Mall? That's my first question.

Varun Parwal

No, delays as such. We are expecting Surat to open by the end of 2027 or early 2028. So, it is still very much in line with those expectations. Now a new mall opening is like getting the full band together, right? You are looking at over 350 retailers coming together, training their staff, completing their fit -outs, and you are also looking at completing your final fit- out works , and getting all the approvals in place. So, it's good to always have some operational headroom in terms of opening line, and the date of the final opening of the mall is typically done with in consultation with the key retailer groups. So, just give us that flexibility. As we go ahead in the coming quarters, we will keep fine-tuning this number until I think by mid-next year we will announce the launch date as well.

Understood. So, for all the expansions that we have in 2027, should we expect any rental contribution from these in FY28, or would all these expansions would generally have contribution from FY29 only?

Varun Parwal

No, I think you would start seeing contributions from the first month that they open up in FY28, because our contracts are higher of fixed rent or revenue share, whichever is higher. So, the fixed rent starts from the first month that the tenants move in and their stores are open for trading. So, you will see contribution coming from FY28 itself. And then, of course you have more stores open by FY29. Our malls typically take about 12 months to reach up to 85%-90% occupancy. So, that happens over a 12 -month period. And hence, the full- year impact of rent and consumption growth, you will see in FY29 and FY30. Not very dissimilar, Akash, from the trend that you may have already seen for Ahmedabad, Mall of the Millennium or Mall of Asia, which are also just completing three years this year. So, you can very much take that trend and apply it to Kolkata or Surat as well.

Understood. And so, my final question is with respect to your consumption growth, I heard on the call that July is trending at roughly (+20%). This is lower on a quarter -on-quarter basis, we have been doing 30% over the last two quarters. So, with the base coming in over the next couple of quarters, is this the kind of growth rate that we should expect around 20% for the next four quarters if the new malls come in towards the second half of ne xt year?

Varun Parwal

It's an interesting question, Akash. I would be happy with a 20% growth if it continues for the next 12 months. But I think we will focus on what we control and where we can

channelize our efforts both in terms of marketing, both in terms of getting the best brands to come into our malls. And the product ivity impact or initiative that you end up getting from new brands coming in is unprecedented. I think take a look at Phoenix Avenue of Stars where the addition of Uniqlo, Ikea and a few premium retail clusters has led to a 29% growth in consumption. And there are several brands that are still under fit -out because the lease occupancy in Phoenix Mark etCity Bangalore and Phoenix Avenue of Stars is actually at 97% to 99% right now. So, there is still a long runway to go there as far as trading occupancy is concerned. And that should give support at least to the rental income. Like we have also stated, I think this is something that Rashmi and I have guided to even in Q4, what we control and what we focus on also is on our rental growth. And even at the beginning of the year before the Q1 results came out, we had guided to a mid -teens growth in renter income for both ‘27 and ‘28. I think we can continue to stay with that guidance and then evolve how Quarter 2 shapes up because typically while Quarter 2 has a strong July and a strong period of August up to the first 10-15 days, after that consumption typically tends to drop sharply. So, September typically would end up being the weakest consumption month in the year. And how you do in that month actually makes or breaks your consumption numbers for the quarter. So, keep our fingers crossed. Keep visiting the malls. Spend time in our malls. And we will catch up again at the time of Quarter 2.

Understood. And, sir, if I just may ask one more question is with respect to retail income as a percentage of consumption, I think that's one number we track. It's around 12.5% this quarter. This number used to trend around 14%, I think, three years back. So, how should we think about this number at leas t over the next, let's say, one year? Where does this number go?

Varun Parwal

It's an interesting question, Akash, because there's a lot of changes that Rashmi and the leasing team are doing in the malls. We have added several new international brands. We have added more gold, and we have added more jewelry and electronics brands. And we have also increased the rent that we are able to realize from our existing tenants. So, there is an interesting dynamic at play in here. But I would assume that one should still continue to focus on that range of 12% to 14% as the rent to consumption number. We will also do some more work on this and come back to you to see where this trends up.

Rashmi Sen

And like we mentioned earlier, because consumption is growing at a very healthy rate, when the expiries come up, it gives us better opportunity in terms of maximizing our rentals going forward in expiry. Also, an opportunity to bring the new brands at higher rentals. So, the higher consumption is a positive impact for us to increase our rentals when that opportunity arises.

Moderator

Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, that was the last question for today. I now hand the conference over to the Management for their closing comments.

Varun Parwal

Thank you so much for joining us on this conference call. We look forward to seeing you next quarter. Thank you. Bye.

Moderator

Thank you. On behalf of The Phoenix Mills Limited, that concludes this conference. Thank you for joining us and you may now disconnect your lines. Thank you. This is a transcription and may contain transcription errors. The transcript has been edited for clarity. The Company takes no responsibility of such errors, although an effort has been made to ensure high level of accuracy.