Linda Johansen-James’ Post

Thriving Beyond the Retail Apocalypse: The Mall Renaissance! The retail landscape has undergone seismic shifts, yet malls are defying the odds with a smart pivot towards experiential offerings. Recent data from @Placer.ai shows how malls are reclaiming their place as community hubs. 🛍️ With pop-up events like the SHEIN pop-up at Woodfield Mall and IKEA's innovative residency at Rosedale Center, malls are seeing visitation levels soar, matching and sometimes surpassing pre-holiday peaks. 🍽️ It's not just about shopping! Texas Roadhouse opening at Southgate Mall in Missoula has turned a meal into a drawcard, boosting foot traffic significantly. ⏰ Even as we adapt to a post-COVID world, malls are evolving with us. The shifts in visit patterns are a testament to the resilience and adaptability of retail spaces, with evening visits becoming a new norm. Retailers and mall operators, let's acknowledge this moment of transformation. It's time to rethink, re-engage, and rejuvenate our spaces to align with the dynamic shifts in consumer behavior. #RetailInnovation #ExperientialRetail #MallComeback #ConsumerTrends

I recently came across a fascinating CNBC article on the growing success of strip malls. With an impressive average vacancy rate of just 5% and prime visibility, it’s easy to see why this form of retail is on the rise. Here are a few of my takeaways: Macy’s New “Marketplace” Format 🛍️ The article highlights Macy’s new “Marketplace” format, which feels reminiscent of an Old Navy-style setup. This model allows customers to “see, feel, and touch” products before making a purchase—a crucial advantage in today’s retail landscape. As an online shopper myself, I still prefer picking up clothes in-store to ensure they fit, aren’t damaged in transit, and are exactly what I want. This hands-on experience is something I believe will keep physical retail relevant, even as e-commerce grows. The Hybrid Retail Model 📈 I see retail continuing to evolve into a hybrid model, blending the best of physical and online shopping. Key benefits include: 👫 Reduced Staff Needs: Fewer employees are required during off-peak hours, which is more cost-effective. 📊 Efficient Use of Space: Less prime real estate is needed for storage, as distribution centers handle most inventory, with local stores fulfilling “last mile” needs. 🏷️ Enhanced Customer Experience: Modern consumers are looking for a quick, simple, and transparent shopping experience, and this model meets those expectations. The Role of Malls 💸 While strip centers cater to convenience, indoor malls are leaning into the experience factor. I believe we’ll see more “fashion centers” like Polaris, featuring high-end brands such as Apple and Versace that rely on an immersive shopping environment. Traditional food courts may evolve too, offering healthier, fast-casual options like Chipotle, and even informal sit-down dining choices. Additionally, I anticipate higher-end hotels could integrate with these mall spaces, turning them into destination shopping experiences where customers can find unique goods and services not available elsewhere. Looking Ahead 🔎 This next phase of retail real estate is exciting, and I’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you see strip malls as the future of retail? Can indoor malls continue to thrive by focusing on the experiential aspect? Read the full article here: https://t.co/K7FiSooeln #realestate #stripmall #retail #onlineshopping #shoppingmall

Are malls really experiencing a resurgence in 2024 as they adapt to changing consumer behaviors and preferences? Foot Traffic Recovery: Mall visits are steadily returning to pre-COVID levels. Experiential Retail: Malls are incorporating entertainment and dining options to attract and retain visitors. Flexible Schedules: Shoppers are visiting malls more in the afternoons, benefiting from flexible work schedules. Pop-up Stores: Temporary retail spaces are drawing significant crowds. Luxury Goods: High-end stores are thriving, particularly in Sunbelt states. Thoughts on this?

“According to retail data firm Placer.ai’s Mall Index: February 2024, open-air shopping center visits were up 0.9%, while outlets saw visits decline 3.2% to close out the year. For the full year, open-air centers finished 2023 with a 3.0% overall increase in visits, compared to 2.9% overall growth for indoor malls. Outlets struggled to keep up with the other two formats, as YoY visits declined 1.6%.” “In January of this year, visits were down 5.8% at indoor malls, down 2.4% at open-air centers, and down 11.8% at outlets. As of February, however, visits increased, growing 6% at indoor malls and 3.9% at open-air centers, while outlets continued to struggle, with visits down 1.6% compared to January of 2023.” “Placer.ai noted that comparing the foot traffic performance to pre-COVID visits levels reveals a more nuanced picture of the visit increase. Of the three shopping centers formats, open-air centers drew closest to pre-COVID levels, with 2023 visits just 1.5% lower than they were in 2019. Indoor malls saw a slightly larger gap compared to 2019, with the format attracting 4.6% fewer visits in 2023. Outlets appear to be having the toughest time recovering from the pandemic , with 2023 visits to the format 9.7% lower than in 2019.” - Zachary Russell

Mall visits are rebounding, but what do consumers expect from malls in 2024? 🛍 Read more about the latest trends in shopping center operations, from adjusting visit patterns to embracing experiential offerings and pop-up shops. 👇 #retail #malls #consumers

Shopping center traffic has rebounded to near-pre-pandemic levels, led by open-air centers and innovative uses, Chain Store Age reports. Editor Zachary Russell points to Scheels at #Macerich's Chandler Fashion Center as an innovative use that helps drive traffic, benefiting all tenants at the center. The article also calls out Scottsdale Fashion Square among a handful of upscale centers outperforming others in the sunbelt. These trends demonstrate how Macerich delivers an exciting, appealing tenant mix at properties that mean more things to more people — creating shopping centers that are here to stay. #Macerich #PropertiesWithPurpose #RetailRealEstate #ChainStoreAge #ScottsdaleFashionSquare #ChandlerFashionCenter #SCHEELS #Retail #FutureOfMalls #ShoppingCenters #Placer.ai #ShoppingCenterTraffic

In a post-COVID environment, shopping malls are showing signs of growth. Learn about the factors contributing to this mall resurgence, and how malls could fit into your brand's future plans. #TotalRetail #RetailIndustryNews #Retailers #Malls #CX #CustomerExperience

🛍️ Malls Are Making a Comeback! 🏬 Despite years of predictions about their decline, shopping malls are seeing a post-COVID resurgence. Many have reported increased foot traffic and stronger retail occupancy rates, thanks to a growing interest in physical shopping experiences. This comeback challenges the narrative that malls are dying, showing that they still have a place in the retail landscape 🎉📈. 👟 Shoppers are returning for more than just shopping—it's about social experiences and convenience, with top-tier malls thriving in particular. #RetailRebound #ShoppingMalls #PostCovidEconomy #Comeback https://lnkd.in/gkb88Qs5

Shopping centers and malls are currently under significant pressure as the retail landscape has undergone dramatic changes. The undeniable fact is that demand for shopping centers and malls has decreased drastically since the COVID-19 pandemic. Shopping malls are no longer the sole option for shopping, making it increasingly challenging for mall owners and managers to maintain relevance. As a person, who is currently active in this field, you may recognize some of the biggest challenges in shopping center and mall management. Common challenges include adapting to shifting consumer preferences, integrating technology, and creating unique shopping experiences that draw customers. Many in this industry, like you, are seeking effective solutions to overcome these obstacles. Everyone wants to know what can be done and how to mitigate such challenges. It is essential to implement certain changes to ensure that the shopping mall remains viable and does not have to shut its doors anytime soon. At the SCMM 2024 conference, we will thoroughly review and examine these challenges and discuss them in detail. We will then hear effective solutions from industry professionals and experts. This will be a valuable opportunity to learn from the pioneers and best in the industry. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to join us and gain insights that can transform your approach to shopping center and mall management. We are proud to welcome you all to Antalya in November.