NRI businessman M.A. Yusuff Ali’s Lulu Group is expanding again—this time with a new kind of shopping experience. The company, known for its large malls, is now setting up mini malls inside metro stations.
Lulu Group is launching its first metro station malls in Central Metro Station and Shenoy Nagar Station in Chennai. These aren’t full-scale shopping malls, but smaller versions packed with food courts, mini theatres, and international fashion showrooms. The spaces will cover 100,000 and 60,000 square feet, respectively. If everything goes as planned, these malls are expected to open by May.
The idea is simple: metro stations see high foot traffic every day. Setting up retail spaces right where people commute could be a win-win—shoppers get easy access to brands, and the metro earns extra revenue.
For metro authorities, this could mean more than just filling up empty spaces. Chennai Metro Asset Management Limited (CMAML) has been set up to boost non-ticket revenue—essentially making money beyond just selling tickets. Having big brands inside metro stations might also increase passenger numbers, as more people might choose the metro to reach these new retail hubs.
Lulu already has a huge mall in Kochi, directly connected to the metro. But will they introduce mini-malls inside Kochi’s metro stations? There’s no official confirmation yet. However, if the Chennai model works, it’s not hard to imagine Kochi Metro following suit.
Currently, some shops do operate inside Kochi Metro stations, but many businesses struggle to make large profits from renting small spaces. If a big player like Lulu steps in, it could attract more footfall and potentially increase metro ticket sales too.
