Pantaloon Retail India Ltd (PRIL) has earmarked Rs 900 crore expenditure over the next three years on nine million square feet of retail space, which it has already booked across India for expansion.

The Kishore Biyani-promoted Future Group firm is looking to insulate itself from a possible space crunch situation in the likelihood of multinational firms expanding their footprint into the Indian retail sector once FDI in multi-brand is allowed.

“Supply of fresh quality real estate space within large Indian metropolises is increasingly becoming scarcer. The demand for this space is also expected to increase significantly in the near future as more retail companies vie for this space,” PRIL said in an investor document.

According to sources, the company has set aside Rs 800-900 crore for the purpose. “The company believes in maintaining its high growth momentum and leadership position over the next few years and hence, intends to aggressively continue its retail expansion strategy,” PRIL said.

At a time when the world is facing economic uncertainties and markets are down, real estate projects in India are likely to get delayed, a source said.

“Moreover, if FDI in multi-brand retail is opened up soon, there will be a rush of international retail chains who would want to open shops in India,” the source added.

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