By Cameron Williams, Director of Research, SVN International Corp.
The shopping mall, once considered the pinnacle of consumerism, has been a much-maligned retail class over the past decade. In a 2017 Credit Suisse report, it was predicted that 1 in 4 malls would be closed by 2022. Ironic that most malls have outlasted that bank. While iconic mall-based retailers like The Sharper Image and KB Toys are long gone, the American mall is far from dead. In a recent study conducted by Coresight Research it was reported that shopping malls, especially high-end malls, are experiencing positive growth across nearly all key performance indicators and that with omni-channel sales strategies on the rise these trends are expected to continue into the future.
Key Takeaways
The SVN® Shopping Mall Report shows that despite past predictions of widespread mall closures, shopping malls — especially well‑positioned, high‑end ones — are still relevant and experiencing positive performance across many key metrics. This reflects how omni‑channel retail strategies and consumer preferences continue to support the resilience of mall‑based retail.
This report provides insights into how shopping malls are evolving rather than disappearing, emphasizing adaptation and strategic positioning within the broader retail real estate market.