Decline and Fall of the Mall? [View all]

[marmar]

from OnTheCommons.org:



Decline and Fall of the Mall?
As shopping migrates to the Internet, downtowns may gain an advantage over strip malls and big boxes

By Jay Walljasper


In December while you were wrapped in holiday festivities, a huge shift was occurring in the American economy—one that will have a major influence on our towns and cities.

What happened? A lot of Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa and Solstice shopping migrated to the Internet.

It’s been a steady trend for years, but finally hit home in 2012. After enduring dampened sales over the past three holiday shopping seasons, America’s retailers were counting on a consumer comeback. Big sales on Black Friday looked promising, but when all the receipts were counted, it was another year of yuletide restraint—at least in brick-and-mortar stores. Meanwhile Internet sales continued to rise.

After New Years Sears, K-mart and even swank Bloomingdale’s announced nationwide store closings. It’s very likely holiday shoppers will discover even more empty storefronts next December. .................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://onthecommons.org/decline-and-fall-mall