Change away from their heavy investment in real estate. Regional malls have a life cycle and we may just be nearing the end of the shopping malls Jurassic era which saw the end of another type of dinosaur. Already the shopping mall has begun to fight back. Of course to be successful, you need to constantly innovate and provide a fresh atmosphere so change some aspects every few months. Other activities include sporting goods stores with basketball courts and roller blade rinks so that you can try before you buy, clustering same product stores together such as the shoe store court attracts the comparison shopper because they can save time, leasing space to different kinds of organisations so that day care centres and religious groups now have mall space, centre aisle stalls which can also be part of a business incubator scheme which tests the retail concept in a small affordable stall and then can move the concept into a vacant space at a reduced rate so that the concept has time to develop.
Discount stores are big winners with toady s cost careful consumers.
Theme or concept outlet malls which may have as many as three major discounters and several smaller stores are very successful. Niche and ethnic marketing are also areas receiving more attention. Shopping malls are trying to make their locations into more than just a place to shop and grab a bite. The mall survivors will become the consumers location of choice and habit. If they can do that, they will reap the rewards.