Aarunya Initiative Sets New Benchmark as Medhavi Skills University and Nexus Malls Transform India’s Retail Workforce

India’s retail and mall ecosystem is undergoing a significant transformation driven by rapid urbanisation, changing consumer behaviour, and the emergence of large-scale organised retail spaces across the country. As footfall rises and malls evolve into multifunctional lifestyle destinations, the importance of trained frontline staff has never been greater. Recognising this need, Medhavi Skills University (MSU) and Nexus Select Malls have joined forces to launch Aarunya, a pioneering programme aimed at elevating the skills, professionalism, and career pathways of mall employees nationwide.

The partnership formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding marks a decisive moment for the retail sector. While India has witnessed steady growth in mall development, structured academic training for mall operations has remained largely absent. Frontline staff, security personnel, customer service associates, maintenance crews, and retail floor staff, shoulder the everyday responsibility of shaping customer experience. Aarunya seeks to strengthen this crucial human capital layer through structured education, industry-backed modules, and recognised academic progression.

India’s First Formal Academic Pathway for Mall Management Talent

Aarunya introduces the country’s first comprehensive academic programmes dedicated specifically to Mall Management. Developed jointly by MSU and Nexus, the curriculum is designed to address the multifaceted nature of mall operations, blending theory with real-world applications. It aims to produce skilled professionals who understand the complexities of retail environments, from footfall analytics and facility maintenance to customer engagement and safety compliance.

India’s retail sector is projected to reach USD 1.5 trillion by 2030, with organised retail playing an increasingly dominant role. Yet, frontline workers often lack structured training pathways that allow them to acquire specialised knowledge. Aarunya’s academic model serves as a corrective mechanism, aligning workforce capabilities with the industry’s growing scale.

A Structured Training Framework Backed by Industry Expertise

The Aarunya programme encompasses structured learning and hands-on training modules that are developed in collaboration with industry practitioners and mall management experts. The coursework covers customer service excellence, retail operations, facility and safety management, crowd handling, emergency protocols, and new-age retail technologies such as digital kiosks, automated parking systems, and AI-assisted surveillance.

Participants will receive recognised certifications and academic credits, allowing them to upskill continuously and move from frontline roles into supervisory and managerial positions. By placing emphasis on blended learning, combining classroom instruction, digital modules, and on-ground training, the programme ensures that workers gain both conceptual clarity and operational competence.

Strengthening the Frontline by Bridging Critical Skill Gaps

India’s organised retail landscape faces a persistent skill gap marked by high attrition, limited formal training, and inconsistent service standards. Aarunya aims to address these challenges through a structured approach that builds foundational capability and professional discipline among mall staff.

A Nexus Malls spokesperson highlighted that training initiatives of this nature not only improve service quality but also empower employees with upward mobility opportunities. By nurturing skills in communication, behavioural management, safety compliance, and customer interaction, the programme ensures that malls can offer an elevated experience to millions of visitors. This is especially important as malls increasingly operate as entertainment hubs, community spaces, and retail-lifestyle centres.

Creating a Robust Talent Pipeline for India’s Mall Ecosystem

As India’s mall footprint expands across metro and tier-II cities, the demand for trained professionals is set to rise substantially. Aarunya builds a structured talent pipeline that can support this expansion while ensuring consistent standards across diverse locations. Trained staff have the potential to reduce operational inefficiencies, improve customer satisfaction, and strengthen brand loyalty for malls and retail tenants.