A few decades ago, shopping malls were one of the most popular places to be, but in recent years the spotlight on these shopping centers has slowly fizzled out as newer, more convenient ways of shopping have arisen.
What is causing malls to close?
A major contributing factor to malls closing was Covid 19. This is because when everybody had to be in quarantine, all that was available was online shopping. With online department stores like Amazon, most people realized how much easier it was to shop online than going to in- person department stores.
People also realized the convenience of online shopping for clothes. Many people prefer it because of the wide variety of clothing options they offer. Whether it’s more size-inclusive, exclusive styles, or better deals, shopping online has a ton of benefits that you can’t get in a normal store. Also, with fast fashion on the rise, buying expensive pieces from the mall is not done as often since the clothes that people are purchasing will soon go out of style.
With online being the new reality, department stores like JCPenney’s and Macy’s have lost a lot of business. Without these stores, malls can’t attract as many people as they once were, making them lose a lot of foot traffic. This is because malls put major stores on the exits of the building so people would be drawn to the mall, but since these stores don’t have the same appeal that they once did, this tactic doesn’t work anymore. Shortform.com states “From 2018 through 2020, mall cornerstones like Macy’s, JCPenney, and Sears closed 875 department stores—compared to just 175 closures in 2016 and 2017 combined.”
Without the influx of customers from the larger stores in malls, the smaller shops cannot afford to stay open, often leaving malls with a ton of empty spaces to fill that they can’t because people don’t want to put their businesses somewhere where they won’t thrive. Worldfinance.com states “No longer able to attract the footfall they once boasted, many malls in the US are now struggling to fill floor space and falling into disrepair. Victims of online shopping, changing consumer tastes and, in some ways, their own success, a number of malls are now trapped in a swift decline.”
When talking about the decline in malls fashionunited.com says “Multiple analysts have projected the shrinkage of U.S. shopping malls, which in their heyday totaled 2,500 in the 1980s. In the next ten years, there may be just 150 malls left. Coresight Research in 2020 said 25 percent of American malls would close within five years, citing shoppers prefer to make quick trips to shops in close proximity.”
The origin of malls
Victor Gruen was the architect who paved the pathway for the future malls of America. After immigrating from Austria to America, Gruen wanted to bring parts of Europe to America. Worldfinacnce.com states “US communities were beginning to spread into the suburbs, and Gruen sought to replicate the feel of a medieval market or the Greek agora: a community space where people could meet, exchange ideas, and purchase goods and services. While shops were an important part of the design, they were by no means the entire point of the space. Gruen envisioned a mall that included amenities such as medical centers, schools, and even residences.”
After this, the idea of these centers was loved by many and rapidly started to grow across the country. Malls eventually became one of the most popular places to hang out and meet with friends and family.
When asked what the difference in mall culture today and in the past, Mrs. Stabile says “So, mall culture in the past people went there for a variety of reasons, not just to shop they would go there to hang out, visit friends, use it to walk around, and exercise in inclement weather. Today there’s more places to go just to hang out with friends and there more places to do exercise than there were in the past.”
What is the future of malls?
Just because malls aren’t doing as well as they once were, it doesn’t mean that they are disappearing completely. Malls are slowly becoming more of a social center rather than a shopping center. What this means is that instead of a bunch of different stores in malls they will start incorporating different social activities like arcades, movie theaters, restaurants, and hosting events.
Another way malls will stay afloat will be with unique stores that no one else has, that can provide customers with one-of-a-kind pieces. For example, handmade jewelry and crafts that are made in the mall would draw customers in.
When asked if she thinks malls will ever be able to return to what they once were, Mrs. Stabile stated “In some places yes, because I think people are wanting to go to an actual store and do things, but it will take quite a while.” And “I don’t think it will ever be exactly what it once was it will be a modified version.”
In the future, it will be interesting to see how malls with evolve with all of the changing factors going on in today’s society.
