For Better or Worse: All Signs Point to the Return of the American Mall

In terms of statistics, modern shopping habits are all over the damn place. While Millennials do around 54% of all their shopping online, the numbers are almost split down the middle for Gen Z with 52% preferring to shop online, and 48% opting for in-store.

The largest mall owner in the US, Simon Property Group, claims that brands are still opening new stores despite the looming recession. They report an occupancy rate of 93.9% as of June 2022, up from 91.8% in 2021. According to CNBC, "4,432 stores have announced openings compared to 1,954 closures, resulting in a net of 2,478 openings."

“We’re seeing a big rebound in Vegas, Florida is on fire...California is finding its legs,”says Simon Property CEO David Simon.

Perhaps we've forgotten how terrible mall shopping was the first go 'round or maybe were still in a "we outside" mindset post-Covid, but... sales associates following you around? Digging for your size in the extreme back of an aesthetic size ascending rack? LINES?

For many of us, there's absolutely no way mall shopping could eclipse online. Ever. Not for an Auntie Anne's pretzel or a fresh-out-the-oven Mrs. Fields cookie.

How do you prefer to shop and what are your predictions for the years to come? Drop a comment below.