new delhi india has surpassed china in the global retail development index in 2017 indicating growing prominence of the country as a preferred retail destination for global brands says a report by real estate consulting firm cbre south asiaseven new global brands entered the country during the first half h1 of 2017 and investments into the segment touched 200 million said the india retail market view reportbesides it added international brands already present in the country also expanded their presenceseveral hypermarkets including big bazaar which opened new stores in mumbai bengaluru and chennai expanded their presence it said adding that clothing retailers such as max and pantaloons were also active during the review periodour ranking on the 2017 global retail index for developing countries as well as continued investment by private equity players is a demonstration of the sustained preference of international brands to set up or expand their operations in india cbre chairman india and south east asia anshuman magazine saidthe brands which opened their first store in india during h1 include kate spade scotch soda pandora and selected homme while those who expanded operations were hm jack jones us polo taco bell and forever 21 among othersin terms of rental for the retail space areas such as connaught place khan market and south extension in the capital and park street and elgin road in kolkata witnessed appreciationwhile rentals in most other high streets remained stable some high streets such as linking road in mumbai and mg road in pune saw a marginal dip in rentals