What Happened to the Mall?
A recent article in Newsweek magazine poses the question: is the mall dead? The article notes that last year was the first year in half a century where a new indoor mall did not open somewhere in the country. Another recent article notes the high retail vacancy rate in regional malls. Others write that fast-growing “lifestyle centers” – open-air developments that contain some mix of shopping, office space, entertainment, outdoor parks, recreational facilities and housing – are replacing regional and local malls as the new shopping destination of choice.
However, the Newsweek article lays some of the blame for traditional malls’ decline on anti-consumption and pro-environment and fair labor sentiments held by the public. They report that 40% of First Globals prefer to purchase items that are “socially conscious” – ie, environmentally safe and produced through fair labor – and that traditional malls have little to offer that fits this description.
What do you think? Is the rise in the anti-consumption and pro-environment attitudes detailed by Newsweek responsible for the waning fortunes of shopping malls, or are factors like the growth of lifestyle centers and Internet shopping more responsible? Does the economic uncertainty of consumers mean that all shopping centers (and not just malls) are likely to close or have economic difficulties of their own? Where do you plan to do most of your shopping – in a mall, or elsewhere?
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I have never bought into the mall concept. I do not like shoppin in malls.
I grew up shopping, on Main Street, from shop to shop going in and out in all kinds of weather and to this day that is what I do. I guess it best said “Don’t Mall me in.”
bgk
Shopping at the mall means what you buy is sure to look like everyone else’s stuff.
When we do eat out, we try to pick locally owned restaurants, with the idea that the money and resources will cycle through the community.
The “disposible income” buyer today is evolving – 16-20’s don’t hang at the mall with friends, they text. Working mom’s don’t have time, they use ecommerce. The day shoppers that remain want shorter shopping trips – quick in/out of specialty shops, not all day ast the mall. Crime around the mall has increased, so long walks across massive parking areas are not a chance they want to take when a stand-alone store offers better security.
Hello………!
I think the internet (like online shopping), has something to do with it too.
1 Adam 12…….come in,,,,,,,,
The mall was a cultural bleep I cant say it wont return but America is longing for simpler times. We are giving away our things and getting back to the local market. The mall was a great place for high schoolers to meet and make friends after the free love 70s but before the internet when Micheal Jackson and the Walkman were an exciting and new part of our culture but the reality is the wall is expensive the junk they are pedaling is cheap and its no longer the cultural hub of late teenagers. Leaving it to go the way of the dinosaur unless someone finds a reason to bring back huge indoor shopping centers surrounded by parking lots that sell cheap junk and attract throngs of minors looking to find a new love. Social Networking has killed the crowd the wall is looking for. There is no loyalty among shoppers at mall stores now your not cool if you buy your things from here or there. Kids follow each others face books and store brands at malls don’t change as fast as web postings that drive the modern market.
I don’t go to the mall as often as I used to; however, I would still prefer to shop there instead of running around to many different stores. Who wants to get in and out of the car 10 times? If there’s a specialty store not in a mall, of course I’ll go there. But I still prefer the mall, especially in colder weather.
I like malls but they don’t sell stuff that anyone needs or can’t find cheaper elsewhere.
The Wife and I think the malls are missing a good bet by not building low income and senior housing over the stores. We would love to live over a mall. Over COSTCO would be even better.