It's making the malls more of an interactive experience for shoppers. Taubman tested its theories through CenterLinq, a program it piloted partly in Metro Detroit. This research pointed Taubman toward its new Web site design, Gies said. However, these changes made CenterLinq somewhat obsolete. Behind the scenes, Taubman's tenants will be linked to all of the Internet's retail applications through MerchantWired.
Analysts say the broadband system is a good but expensive buy for retailers.
Taubman is one of five mall developers to sign on to the year-old service.