How U.S. Malls Survived The Death Of Department Stores

The American mall is alive and well.
Department stores - which were historically the most important real estate in American malls - are a different story.
U.S. department stores are struggling to compete against new online direct-to-consumer competitors and smaller brick-and-mortar retailers that have been able to keep up with the ever changing demand of consumers. And this is causing familiar retailers like JCPenney, Sears and Macy's to close, the latter of which recently announced it would close up to 150 stores.
"The ones that are closing are underperforming or have lost their own way with the customer," said Michael Guerin, EVP of leasing at Macerich. "The brand is not working for one reason or another. So it's hardly impactful to us when you have an obsolete situation or a brand close."
Top-tier malls, known as class-A malls, are pivoting toward an experiential model, replacing department stores with grocery stores, casinos, gyms, ice skating rinks and, in some cases, even residential apartments.
The shift in strategy has been working. Malls have bounced back to near pre-pandemic occupancy levels as customers seek out experiences. Mall owners are also capitalizing on the omnichannel strategy bolstering stores' online presence in addition to their brick-and-mortar stores, creating a halo effect for retail sales.
All malls aren't created equal, however. Lower-tier malls are feeling the effects of department store closures more acutely as inflation and economic pressures increasingly split consumers into two categories: luxury shoppers and discount shoppers. That's also causing a split in the fortunes of America's oversupply of malls, with affluent consumers flocking to higher-end malls, bargain-hunting shoppers heading to strip malls, and little left in the middle.
"Those who are calling for the demise of the mall might have been premature. But stepping back, there are probably still too many malls in the country," said Haendel St. Juste, senior REIT analyst at Mizuho Securities. "There were, you know, last, by most estimates, around 1000 malls a few years back."
Watch the video above to find out more about how malls survived the death of the department store.
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
Ch. 1. The end of the anchor department store?
Ch. 2. How malls pivoted
Ch. 3. What’s next?
Produced by: DeLon Thornton
Edited by: Tim Hurt
Graphics by: Christina Locopo
Supervising Producer: Jeff Morganteen
Additional Footage: Getty Images
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How U.S. Malls Survived The Death Of Department Stores

[@retailytt]

Funny thing is the original architect behind malls, Victor Gruen, intended them to be community centers not just shopping...so this adaptation is actually them going back to their original intent

[@wplants9793]

Yes Gruen was socialist in the idea of brining people together. I remember hearing of him because he made Southdale Mall in Minnesota, the first enclosed mall

[@Watch-0w1]

The Mall need to evolve to be more of an entertainment hub then endless shopping

[@Angultra]

Entertainment and food hub, that's what I go there for already

[@kyleklmondwa9042]

They need to convert X amount of EMPTY retail space into AFFORDABLE living spaces. The FACT that these mall owners don't already do this just proves how RIGGED this system is to keep everyone paying rent for a property they won't ever own and keep property prices higher than they need to be.

[@rockstar6790]

@@Angultra People will definitely go there. A food court with some restaurants. Even better, revive the arcade scene by adding arcades.

[@optick3554]

​@@rockstar6790 some malls have started this already. Ive seen a few in NY that have pretty large arcades😊

[@smcdonald9991]

There is another factor. Until the late 90s, people had no "online life". They met and did things. Going to the mall even if you had nothing particular to buy was something people did back then but much less nowadays.

[@connecticutaggie]

Another thing that is impacting mall recovery is location. Where regional malls have mostly recovered their patrons, downtown malls have not.

[@krist-yonnarain7786]

I agree big cities don’t really need malls because they have traditional shopping districts. Without some other pull malls in those areas cant really compete.

[@connecticutaggie]

@@krist-yonnarain7786 Most big cities have good successful suburban malls, they are just not downtown. I think for most people, malls are a destination. Downtowns are already their own destination with shops and restraints and don't really benefit from a mall.

[@berlingray8058]

Worked for Sears 18-23 (08-2014) When I quit, the store closed within a year and a half later at the mall I was working at. Sears didn’t want to adapt to the changes of online shopping really

[@bigcahuna42366]

Indoor malls aren't dead; they are readjusting to the demand. In most U.S. cities that have decent economies and where crime isn't too high, they normally have at least one or maybe up to two indoor malls in their area that are performing well. The rest in their area are dying because they aren't needed anymore. In my city in the early 90s, we used to have six indoor malls in my area. Two have died in the past 15 years and were eventually demolished, two were combined into one and is currently performing decent, one is in hospice care economically, and the last one is honestly doing very well to this day.

[@TinLeadHammer]

"American need for retail therapy"? Or, as George Carlin put it, buying the stuff you don't need with the money you don't have.

[@kyleklmondwa9042]

To impress people you DON'T like!...

[@jonw999999]

America has for decades been overretailed... the Sq Ft per person was like 8 times that of Canada or UK. The retail apocalypse was always coming and the rapid growth of online retail made it more imminent. Combine with COVID, WFH, crime, and you have a perfect storm.

[@techpolitics]

@@kyleklmondwa9042 and people that you want to like you even though they probably don't

[@smaugswrath3144]

"Money they don't have on things they don't need"

[@matthewgonzalez6320]

I think malls should focus on bringing in new smaller stores from local vendors to try and allow more competition.

[@adamsd6638]

I agree with you

[@chuddslagg]

They can’t afford the rent, that’s the problem with malls to begin with, other than being placed in areas that became poorer crime ridden neighborhoods and thus became unsafe. It’s a great idea though.

[@gobbletegook]

@@chuddslagg The fees are astronomical. Lights, security, etc., as part of a mall are extra besides rent. In my area, KOHLS is walking away from malls and building some stand alones now

[@Fools_Requiem]

Dying malls always have the local vendors. They are just not good enough to draw people in. People like familiar names.

[@freeinghumanitynow]

Mall rents are sky high and owned by wealthy foreigners aiming to tank the American economy. It's economic terr0rism.

[@stephaniehale946]

*Essentially, American malls are getting Asian-ized. Malls in many Asian countries, especially South East Asia, are a place for many experiences, from shopping, to eating out, groceries, movies, entertainment, games, sports, fitness, residential apartments on top of the mall, etc.*

[@DubsBrown]

Can confirm. Went during lunar new year and it’s clear

[@asianguy86]

​@@DubsBrown did you went with your boyfriend

[@bchristian85]

That's how it was in the '80s and '90s as well, with the exception of residential apartments which have never been popular in malls in the US. Going to the mall as a kid and playing in the arcade or going ice skating or roller skating, and going to music, toy store, and video game stores all under one roof was like heaven. In the late 2000s, most traditional mall retailers that weren't clothing stores went out of business. That's how we got to where we are.

[@duckmercy11]

​@@bchristian85 I'm thinking the lack of residential was more due to zoning ordinances than lack of popularity.

[@AprilHarmony9]

You must be thinking about Strip Malls b/c regular American Shopping Malls have always been that way💯💯💯 I'm not that old but I've been around long enough to know this tho.

[@davenadave3700]

On Asia country all The Mall is huge and survive because they're all ONE STOP SERVICE, people don't have to drive and go difference places to done all things ... in The Mall they include everything you can imagine. they all included ---> multiple Bank + Super Market / Hyper market + Theater + Restaurants + cloths + fun park + Clinics (Skin clinic, Spa etc) + etc.

[@AprilHarmony9]

Ok, American Malls been that way, at least the Malls I've been too. Asia copied off of our mall structure.

[@davenadave3700]

@@AprilHarmony9 YES copied and make it better in every way,, so much variety. even Hospital in Asia it's one stop service, Faster service with more care. Cheaper cost its a plus..... i feel sad cause i love Nordstrom but i need more service from them, however ! ill still support offline market and our economy

[@hasmeenc.4739]

@@AprilHarmony9where? Most “malls” that have everything..they do not have it inside one building! They have surrounding buildings, some with large parking spaces and between highways that you cannot walk to. I live in jersey city and we have a mall, banks and supermarkets are close by(with very short walking distance because not everyone uses their car, we rely more on public transport and walking)but again not inside the same building. Back in my country the malls do have supermarkets in the basement, as stores like Home Depot and car dealers, the rest of the floors are for clothing, banks, doctors, cinema and restaurants, all inside one building,

[@DubsBrown]

3:27 wait how old is this footage if radioshack is in it?

[@stevk5181]

Likely old cheap stock footage.

[@RichardHannay]

I work in a dying mall and it’s pretty sad looking at so many stores closed.

[@williamriley5118]

The King of Prussia Mall is a higher-end mall just outside of Philadelphia is huge and it’s still growing!

[@groove-heroine]

As a Philadelphian, I can confirm that the KOP hasn't suffered at all with this downturn.

[@Xeonerable]

Sure malls may still be alive after their department store limbs are being chopped off, but that doesn't mean they aren't still bleeding out a slow death. Companies stopped being competitive, prices are outrageous, they are killing themselves.

[@Aye_Nyne]

How about we build mixed-use walkable neighborhoods again where residential and commercial spaces can co-exist rather than continuing to build these tacky enclosures of consumerism surrounded by a parking moat?

[@duckmercy11]

Hahaha ikr

[@GDUBLU_Fan]

That’s seems genius

[@NoSenatorson]

Every mall needs to have a residential and hotel space. From what I’ve observed, the ones that don’t are usually empty and have very little foot traffic.

[@tombaily29]

People are getting poorer while department stores offer Amazon products at higher prices. No wonder malls are struggling.

[@carlosrivera3260]

When Chilean department store Falabella left the Argentinian market, some experts predicted it would be a death sentence to the malls those stores were in. However, most of those malls have not only survived but are thriving in their post-Falabella era. That retail space has been replaced by coffee shops, larger pharmacies, medical services, gyms or more movie theaters. One good example is Córdoba's Nuevocentro Shopping, in Central Argentina.

[@nixonhoover2]

Nobody cares about 3rd world argaytina.

[@Mart9]

My local Mall still has Sears, JCPenney and Macy’s opened

[@oluseyialege]

I like being able to try on my clothes before buying but malls are still on the decline for the most part.

[@masonedwards]

I don’t understand why American malls haven’t tried what’s worked well in other countries. Yes, I get that America is different to other countries, but maybe, just maybe, other countries do it better. Many successful Australian malls have supermarkets (grocery stores) in them, as well as what you call “big box stores” (Kmart, Target, Big W) as anchors. Our malls also have stores like JB-Hifi, which would be equivalent to Best Buy. Our malls are essentially one-stop-destinations, with everything you could possibly want, including food courts, restaurants, fashion, beauty, high-end brands, supermarkets/grocery stores, and mainstream big box stores, etc. Some of the bigger malls have department stores like Myer or David Jones, which are similar to Macy’s, Nordstrom, etc, but not all malls have those types of department stores.

[@wplants9793]

The problem with that is the way American malls are the Peking is so far away that people don’t run to the car to drop off their bags. If you go to the grocery store you have to carry your bags of what you got from the mall - books, clothes, shoes whatever - while you grocery shop. Also the malls are in the suburbs so then you’d have to drive home for about 30 mins with your groceries some of which may be refrigerated, but in the city where I live a grocery store is a 10 minute walk away

[@masonedwards]

@@wplants9793 malls are in suburbs here as well. And our weather is warmer than the US. Insulated shopping bags help with refrigerated foods, but at the same time, so does a bit of planning. Use a shopping cart 🛒 to carry your items around the mall, and shopping for items such as clothing or homewares first (if you need those), before going for food items. It’s common sense, really.

[@EcomCarl]

It's fascinating to see how malls are adapting to the changing retail landscape, especially with the shift toward experiential models. This evolution highlights the importance of staying agile and responsive to consumer preferences. 🛍

[@xonious9031]

You're kidding yourself... No one is adapting... There are wealthy investors who are taking this opportunity to take out loans on projects they know won't work... Simply Google Metro Center Arizona if you want to get the true story on the ground about what is happening with malls

[@EcomCarl]

@luke5100 cheers man!

[@ahadmrauf]

5:33 No way do 40% people visit a mall every two weeks, right? Unless the mall happens to be where you get your groceries, I guess.

[@tgs6027]

Target, Marshalls & TJ Maxx 👍 Macy's hell no it's been yrs since I went to a regular mall... inflation is out of control...

[@SkankHuntForty2]

Bring back Montgomery Ward!

[@cassiemontgomery45]

I remember them very well! I used to get asked if I was related to one of the owners as a kid! My maiden name is Montgomery....

[@frankm.2828]

Pretty soon you may rediscover a Sears at your local mall! A whole new side of Sears.

[@evanscott1749]

Sears comeback baby lesssgoooooooooo

[@bchristian85]

Come see the ZOMBIE side of Sears.

[@jeg4626]

Great video. Learned a lot. Nice job narrating too

[@speedracer2please]

A lot of the footage is from the American Dream Mall, which I do love to visit more than most malls. I don't know if I spend much there, though, it's just nice to walk around. It cost a fortune to make, though, I hope the budget adds up! In American Dream's case, transportation is the biggest factor keeping me from going back more often. I either have to drive and pay a ton for parking, or take a decrepit bus for almost an hour, when I could just walk down to my town's main street or hop on a ferry to Manhattan.

[@sew_gal7340]

It is so underwhelming, i live an hour away and visited the dream mall once when i was in nyc...it didnt live up to the hype at all...i know of several malls in my town that are much funner to roam around. The mall is big though but lots of empty spaces

[@Watch-0w1]

Meadowland ? Parking just 5$

[@alex_spartan1805]

​@@Watch-0w1 I live near two of the best malls (Short Hills/Willowbrook Malls) that don't charge anything for parking. I, too, enjoy American Dream, but the parking and driving isn't as easy when comparing other choices.

[@Watch-0w1]

@@alex_spartan1805 dude me too. What city u from? But American dream is bigger and got more attractions

[@davidfrischknecht8261]

I don't know why NJ Transit doesn't make the Meadowlands line a full-time line to give people a better way to get to American Dream.

[@RayLabs]

I can say I have not been to a Mall in over 10 years, and don't miss it.

[@Sneaker_Fox]

It’s funny that they mention US based malls but they decided at 1:05 to use the inside of Torontos Downtown Eaton Centre mall lol 😂 which is based in Canada.

[@Hauseu]

The mall in my town has a high school where the sears was. It's been there for years now

[@Quiblets]

I live in Puerto Rico. We have the biggest mall in the Caribbean; Plaza Las Americas Mall. That place is always jammed packed. If I have to go to Macys, I have to go during the week. During the weekend, is pure chaos. Zennial mall rats are a thing.

Ayer en La Terraza, no habían mesas disponibles.

[@BigJoe2.0]

The mall near me is a ghost town every time I go in it. The only thing keeping it alive is golds gym, jcpenney and Macy's I feel like.

[@alvinchee]

Other than department stores, what’s your take on food court which seems have vacancies and following the same trend like the department stores

[@mattstiles-ok8yz]

In my option non-luxury malls of the 70's and 80's will continue to close throughout the united states giving way to either mini strip malls or more residential housing much like were all seeing with office buildings throughout the country.

[@Fr00stee]

There's literally nothing interesting about classic department stores like macys, jcpenny, etc. So why should someone go there?

[@jonw999999]

I've been saying this too. The contemporary American department store is a joke. I went in El Palacio del Hierro in Mexico City and was blown away, it's light years better than any department store in the US both in luxury and range of items sold.

[@yostevedotcom]

I bought curtains there. Also my cheap suit. Bought Champion clothes for nephews

[@matthewstone5576]

RadioShack at 3:27…wonder when they shot that footage?

[@TheNewgreatlife]

I was thinking the same thing, also the Payless in next to it! There was also a clip with a New York & Company. All of those brands are defunct (although some Radio Shacks still exist as franchises but they are very very rare)

[@FM-et3ck]

Security is also a major factor in declining footprint. Many families don't feel safe going to the malls anymore.

[@GDUBLU_Fan]

You mean schizophrenic families

[@amazon4716]

The problem with the anchor department stores is that they charged too much While stores lime forever 21, etc. Have stylish products for way less.

[@steelcitysportsfan1436]

Jcpenney carries big and tall sizes that alot of stores don't have.

[@PASH3227]

JCPenny also has "slim" sized pants for boys. It was THE PLACE to get my school uniforms as a child. The last decade of management at JCPenney is so infuriating!

[@reggiefurlow1]

One side of your polo shirt from Marshall's stitching be off though 😂😂

[@MrMorefin]

I wouldn’t say it survived, its still slowly going away. Yes there are a small percentage of malls in the US that are doing very well but the majority of malls are either closing or closed, even before the pandemic.

[@jordankendall86]

I agree that if the malls can transform into a better experience so that people come for not only shopping, then that would be best. But at some point, when ever that transformation is complete, we may not call it a mall anymore. This may be especially true if residential, office, and hotel is blended into the property as was suggested in the video. Then it becomes a mix-use property that is very distinct from any other. I have seen this in newer out-door shopping centers where they mix in residential, office, and retail. I believe that is the direction they have to go because they are shooting for a high end life style where you can "live and play" as was also suggested in the video.

[@duckmercy11]

Mixed use was the original idea. Malls weren't originally intended to be closed off shopping centers.

[@TheNewgreatlife]

Some malls like Riverchase Galleria near Birmingham, Alabama have been like that since the beginning. It opened in 1986 and has always had office space and a hotel attached.

[@MrBeatboxmasta]

Grocery stores + good restaurants + fun physical activities and you'll have a mall that will never go out of business.

[@KerrijaGryphon]

A mall near me has added a bunch of new clinics and doctors offices in it.

[@dailydefaults]

Our JC Penney’s is now a first Baptist church, Macy’s is now a division of the local college, and Sears turned into a World Gym

[@cocoaorange1]

Our Sears is DeVry Institute now.

[@mayurireddy8196]

Amazing malls and departmental store

[@vasilikonstan]

3:28 Who edited this video? Radioshack and Payless ShoeSource went out of business years ago. This clip looks so old😆😆😆

[@CyborgZeta]

Most people I know, myself included, go to the mall just for the food court.

[@romeldionisio3149]

As of the moment major retailers like SM SUPERMALLS ROBINSONS MALLS & AYALA MALLS are shifting towards redevelopment into integrated malls with condominiums, business office towers , hotels addressing the needs of their prospect area,

[@terrorem6886]

Bro they didn't survive what is this homie smoking on.

[@mackenziegray2090]

My local mall just got a casino in one of the "anchor" section. So bring a crowd of people to encourage shopping.

[@romeldionisio3149]

Here in the Philippines Major mall chains like SM, Robinsons Malls and Ayala malls are dominating, when you visit our country youll be overwhelmed how our malls reign supreme.

[@austinhernandez2716]

How about making cities more walkable with lots of small local vendors you can walk by, so like a public outdoor mall like in the old day

[@abdielneris4957]

Every time I go to a department store they have ugly clothes and shoes

[@nfapeng187]

I loved going to the mall! I dont go much anymore cause I cant afford it. Having children and all that kind of normal stuff. But I really enjoyed going for all the years I did.

[@Sarchein]

the death of the american mall is just in line with where the middle class has died which is much of rural middle america

[@ned_interrobang]

i grew up in the 80s and 90s and still never shopped jc penny's, sears, or macys. i dont feel bad for them

[@VoidVerification]

In Germany, the anchor store positions are usually taken up by large electronics stores and/or big supermarkets.

[@moereese5254]

They survived?

[@MrMastrsushi]

What’s left of them

[@kutter_ttl6786]

It's a market correction. There was too many so lots of them died, but the bigger ones that survived and have been able to adapt are thriving.

[@GDUBLU_Fan]

I visited El Paso and they managed to have a Sears anchor

[@Victor-pb7rn]

Today, Saturday, I went to one here next to my house and it was completely empty, maximum 50 people, it's sad.

[@OHANA-Beach-Suites-CDO]

WE LOVE SHOPPING AT MALLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@RaquelFoster]

This sure is a low-quality meandering piece. 2:02 They couldn't get a few seconds of audio better than that?

[@iamthebiggs252]

Wait, where's that Radio Shack located?

[@angelachanellehuang5663]

Malls are a hang out spot

[@tiffanyassoci]

7th Street & Figueroa- (Fig on 7th), Westfield Topanga-(Canoga Park)

[@jadacherie9464]

My local mall is amazing and is always crowded on the weekends. I love going and working there. We have a great assortment of stores that are in demand

[@rtperrett]

on 3:19 what store is this?

[@gobbletegook]

Macy's really wasn't an anchor store in many of the malls until it bought out the competition...or around 2006 when they took over the stores like Marshall Fields, Bullocks, and those part of Federated brands

[@TheNewgreatlife]

In most parts of the country that was the case. In places like South Florida, Metro Atlanta, California, and the New York area, they've anchored malls since the 80s and earlier in some cases.

[@larrys4618]

​​@@TheNewgreatlifeAtlanta had Rich's which was turned into Macy's. Also Parisian.

[@TheNewgreatlife]

@@larrys4618 Atlanta also had Davison’s which were all turned into Macy’s in 1986, so Atlanta has had a taste of Macy’s since the 80s. When Federated decided to eliminate all of the regional nameplates in 2003, most of the former Davison’s and current Macy’s stores closed except at Lenox Square and Perimeter Mall which became Bloomingdale’s due to being upscale malls. Also Northlake Mall, which never had both Davison’s and Rich’s like most 1970s and 1980s malls in Atlanta, so their Davison’s turned Macy’s store became Rich’s in 1998, then Rich’s-Macy’s in 2003, and just Macy’s in 2005. It is the last Macy’s store to still be operating in an old Davison’s since the Macon Mall store closed in 2020.

[@TheNewgreatlife]

@@larrys4618 Atlanta also had Davison's which became Macy's in 1986, so Atlanta has been used to Macy's since the 80s. When Federated decided to eliminate regional banners altogether, most of those stores that were former Davison's/ then-current Macy's stores closed, and Macy's took over the Rich's anchor spots around Atlanta. The only exceptions were at Lenox Square and Perimeter Mall where the Macy's became Bloomingdale's due to being in upscale malls. Northlake Mall only ever had Davison's, so it became Macy's in 1986, a Rich's in 1998, Rich's-Macy's in 2003, and then back to Macy's in 2005. Town Center at Cobb had an original Macy's as the mall opened in 86, right as all Davison's stores around Atlanta were becoming Macy's. It's currently a hybrid Macy's Men's, Furniture, and Clearance store, while the main Macy's is in the former Rich's. Those are the last Davison's stores still being used by Macy's Inc.

[@TheNewgreatlife]

@@larrys4618 Atlanta also had Davison's which became Macy's in 1986, so Atlanta has been used to Macy's since the 80s. When Federated decided to eliminate regional banners altogether, most of those stores that were former Davison's/ then-current Macy's stores closed, and Macy's took over the Rich's anchor spots around Atlanta.

[@bobsthea]

when malls is further away from where peoples live, work and school

[@RyanR2D2]

Mall of America and other malls in northern regions also thrive because of the frigid winters and sweltering summers they have. That definitely lures people to do things indoors like shop, dine, and watch movies.

[@wildhorsestudios1209]

Factory outlets some growing sales...

[@suspiciousafternoon]

retail therapy is the dumbest thing I've ever heard

[@ashleyhernandez2583]

It's a thing. Not a healthy outlet bc it's unnecessary spending BUT trust me after a bad day of working buying a cute bag or dress helps. Like I said it's not a good thing but it does help some of us

[@AprilHarmony9]

Why? I like products and I love to buy things too when I need. Plus it helps the economy when you put money in it.

[@Bobbysworld22]

You have to understand how most humans are. We’re social beings. Turning a mall from a shopping experience to a destination is key in 2024. Adding a things that will entice the “shopping experience” ie: unique cinemas like 4D experiences, amusement parks, golf simulators, unique restaurant experience within the mall. The mall is now a destination for entertainment not just shopping. Malls will have to adapt in order to keep their doors open.

[@jonw999999]

There's also no new shiny object in retail that draws people. Normally there's some new hot shop every shopping area is trying to get and whoever lands it gets the customers. 15 years ago it was one of the first Apple stores. Additionally there's barely any book and music stores anymore, they were always one of several key stores in making a shopping trip into day trip shopping experience... get lost in a bookstore for a few hours.

[@keithalarie8255]

The Palisades Center is not a luxury mall. That mall is mostly empty!

[@shawnevans26]

Some malls are doing absolutely amazing! But a lot of them are not doing great?

[@khalee95]

US malls need to become more entertainment centric. People who come for the entertainment will not only enjoy the experience, but stay awhile longer to shop.

[@Chicagoguy1984]

One variable is Dallas ft Worth swear almost every màll there is slammed busy

[@GDUBLU_Fan]

Lots of malls closed in Dallas because there was too much competition! Ridgar Mall, Valley View, The Vista, red bird mall are dead!

[@philly440]

I love the malls and the top malls are still pretty busy and i absolutely hate ordering online i need to see and feel my stuff before i pay my money then get the run around about a refund or exchange when my order is wrong… it seems like the malls that struggle are the ones with very little going on outside and around the mall when there are restaurants and movie theaters and those dave and buster type places stay busy

[@musiclist4792]

They need to move toward the full-service upscale department store feel like when you went to a department store back in the 1960s and then rely on online influencers to make going there and having these experiences trendy.

[@dongkim9610]

2 words: they didn't

[@patrickledonne5547]

This airs as 2 major malls in the chicago area close for good 😆

[@justjay6445]

The mall needs to add a grocery store component or even a Target/Walmart. A grocery store would add the necessity to go to the mall and convenience of just happening to have a ton of stores nearby.

[@ShortbreadPug]

Learn from the mall operations in the Philippines owned by ShoeMart (SM), Robinson's, and Ayala Malls.

[@Jfromes1]

Umm…they haven’t survived it.

[@kutter_ttl6786]

Lots of have closed down, but the ones that not only survived but have been able to adapt are doing well. Survival of the fittest.

[@GDUBLU_Fan]

When a place has less malls in an area I find that the mall is usually packed

[@kevinbarry71]

A few malls have survived. There were, and still are, far too many in the United States. Adding casinos? Nothing shows desperation than that

[@mikesgmail896]

Spoiler alert: most died long ago

[@JA-tr9ze]

I think most things have a place. This anticipation that they would simply disappear is foolish. I myself do not go to them nor would I but I see the worth. Way willing to wait for something delivered.

[@teng029]

7:05 some normalized levels of pricing? where?

[@PRegan-om7jm]

How old is this video? I can tell you the last time I’ve seen a Radio Shack

[@GDUBLU_Fan]

Last time I saw one was like three years ago lol

[@sutats]

Mallrats (1995) movie lives on.

[@goldencheesesteak4890]

They definitely learn from Asia. In Asia, malls are thriving community centers. Banks, hotels, apartments, restaurants&cafes, grocery stores, specialty stores, bakeries, barbershop, hair salons, arcade center, cinemas, gyms, beauty&skincare clinics, health clinics or some medical care even churches can be found in giant malls 😂! The malls also create many special events to draw more people in, this one time they even create basketball matches between highschoolers inside the mall, for some fun competitions. Or they create events for kindergartens to show off their dancing and drama students. So they don't depend on 1 giant store to keep one mall alive. People can even go to mall and simply walk around without buying anything.

[@mikeohawk95]

There’s only 1/2 department stores and 3/4 malls on the us malls left and recovered

[@xonious9031]

This is exactly what my research has told me... This report is complete bull crap

[@ChrisChan829]

They mention dollar stores taking their customers her family dollar and another one just declared bankruptcy

[@LaCheleWallace]

Look, the practical reality is that things change. If you're within my age bracket (late '30s), you not gon go to the mall and have them same experiences you had during the '90s and early aughts. Shoot, most of them stores that I frequented ain't even there no more. I'm thinking Sam Goody, Charlotte Russe, Bebe, etcetera. Folks still go to the mall, but that '90s mall craze is definitely over. Macy's, Sears, etcetera are all passé. Macy's used to be the lick when I was growing up. I remember buying my lil' DKNY jacket and shades and thought I was just...whew! Couldn't nobody tell me nothin'. I recently breezed into Macy's and it looked hella cheap and just ran through, yo. I be shopping at lil' boutiques and stuff like that.

[@cocoaorange1]

I am an 80's teen, true it has changed.

[@qolspony]

I think having housing on top helps to shed some of the malls dependents on retail in a down market.

[@xonious9031]

Those are just going to be slums in 5 years and you know it

[@GDUBLU_Fan]

I thought of that too

[@jerryjones2818]

Not sure of your facts. we have 2 closed malls, one of which got torn down, and another "open air" mall that died, all 3 within a 30 min drive in different directions.

[@avrahamavraham5977]

Helicopter free money, save them again and again 😂

[@karlpetersson4251]

Could hardly hear anything that guy was saying.

[@Fools_Requiem]

I like malls because they allow me to try on clothes from many different vendors in one place. Buying clothes online just doesn't have the same feeling.