Shoppers Are Heading Back to Malls — Is a Comeback on the Horizon?

Footwear News
Already faced with pressures from the acceleration of e-commerce, malls were dealt an even bigger blow when the COVID-19 pandemic brought traffic and sales to a near-standstill. . . . more

CBL focuses on local tenants in its new mall campaign

CSA
Though scores of national brand retailers populate the 100-plus malls and outdoor centers CBL Properties operates in 24 states, the Chattanooga, Tenn.-based company likes to point out that some 1,300 of its tenants are locally owned businesses. . . . more

Will suburbia save the mall?

Retail Dive
The COVID-19 pandemic has been an extreme event. The disease outbreak has devastated human health and upended the global economy, and remains a threat after a year despite the rapid development of vaccines. When it comes to business in general and retail in particular, it has altered or sped up several trends, including the decline of malls, once the favorite shopping destination of much of America. . . . more

Mall vacancy rate increases by a record margin

CSA
Mall vacancy rate in the United States rose from 10.5% in the fourth quarter of 2020 to 11.4% in the first quarter of 2021, according to Moody’s Analytics. . . . more

NY mall faces financial woes from theme-park investments, but vaccine rollout gives hope

Fox Business
In some of the country’s largest shopping malls, the strategy to add theme-park-like attractions to make up for declining foot traffic looks less like a lifeline and more like a burden. . . . more

Mall vacancies jump at fastest pace on record, hitting new high, as retailers cull store counts

CNBC Business
If you noticed more darkened windows and empty stores at the mall recently, you’re not alone. . . . more

Amazon is snapping up disused shopping malls and turning them into fulfillment centers

NBC News
Malls that buckled due to e-commerce or suffered during the pandemic are being given new life by the very entity that precipitated their decline — Amazon. . . . more

Malls tout proposed changes to REIT rules as good for retailers

Retail Dive
More retailers could end up in the coffers of their mall landlords if a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives last month gains any traction. . . . more

Months out of bankruptcy, Neiman Marcus refinances $1.1B in debt

Retail Dive
Neiman Marcus refinanced $1.1 billion in debt after emerging from Chapter 11 last fall, buying the company time and adding funds for a turnaround. . . . more