Coimbatore’s retail landscape is about to get a serious shake-up. The Martin Group just dropped a bombshell announcement on March 26, 2025 – they’re building Chera Super Center, a massive commercial hub that’s aiming to dethrone the city’s current mall kings.
Located in Sundara Puram, this isn’t just some small-time shopping center. Nope. It’s a 4-acre commercial beast that’s part of the ambitious G.N. Mills area development project. And let’s be real – it’s about time someone challenged the decade-long dominance of Brookefields and Prozone.
What’s Inside This Retail Monster?
The developers aren’t playing small. Chera Super Center is packing some serious amenities:
- Movie theaters (because shopping needs entertainment breaks)
- Popular restaurants with diverse food options
- Special facilities for families with children
- Bookstores for the intellectually inclined
- Electronics and clothing shops for… well, everything else
David vs. Goliaths
Chera is entering a tough battlefield. Let’s look at the competition:
| Mall | Opening Year | Size | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookefields | 2010 | Unknown | First major mall in Coimbatore |
| Prozone | 2017 | 500,000 sq ft | Largest existing mall |
| Chera Super Center | 2025 (planned) | 4 acres | Newest contender |
The retail scene in Coimbatore has been stagnant for too long,” says an industry analyst who didn’t want to be named. “Chera could be exactly what consumers need – fresh competition that forces everyone to up their game.
Jobs, Jobs, Jobs
Here’s where things get interesting for locals. This isn’t just about another place to shop. The mall is creating a ton of jobs:
- Retail positions for sales agents
- Security personnel
- Administrative staff
- Food service industry workers
- Entertainment sector employees
The Bigger Picture
Coimbatore isn’t playing around. Already a manufacturing powerhouse, the city is transforming its commercial identity too. Chera Super Center isn’t just competing with other malls – it’s part of pushing Coimbatore up the urban hierarchy.
The economic impact could be massive. Small and large businesses are already expressing interest in securing space. The ripple effects will likely spread beyond Sundara Puram to surrounding areas.
Is it going to work? That’s the billion-rupee question.
Brookefields has had 15 years to build customer loyalty. Prozone boasts half a million square feet of retail therapy. Breaking those habits won’t be easy. But with its strategic location in the developing G.N. Mills area and the Martin Group’s reputation behind it, Chera might just have a fighting chance.
One thing’s for sure – Coimbatore shoppers are the real winners here. More options, potentially better deals, and the inevitable upgrades the older malls will make to stay competitive.
The retail war is coming to Coimbatore. And it’s going to be fascinating to watch.
