Walmart has signed a lease deal for a second office in Chennai, marking a significant move as the city transitions from its manufacturing roots to becoming a key technology centre in India.

The retail giant has leased over 465,000 sq. ft. of office space, for an initial five-year term starting this November. The decision reflects Chennai’s growing appeal among global corporations aiming to establish or expand their technology hubs in India. Long regarded primarily as a manufacturing stronghold, Chennai is now attracting major international players, including AstraZeneca, UPS, and Pfizer, all of whom have set up technology and innovation centres in the city.

Walmart does not operate retail supermarkets in India, but it has made significant investments in its backend operations. Its Chennai office complements its largest global technology hub located in Bengaluru, which employs around 8,000 people. The move is expected to deepen Walmart’s commitment to leveraging India’s vast tech talent pool for its global digital transformation goals. 

Walmart’s expansion is part of a larger trend among multinational firms who are increasingly setting up Indian offices to support operations ranging from research and development to cybersecurity.