The Death of the Mega-Shopping Mall

The future does not look bright for America's largest malls

By U.S. News Staff

April 2, 2009 RSS Feed Print
  • 400 out of 2,000: Number of the largest malls in the United States that have closed in the past two years.
  • 2006: The last time a mega-mall was opened in the United States.
  • 1: Number of large malls scheduled to open this year.
  • 7: Mall vacancy percentage this year.
  • 2001: Last time mall vacancy rates were as high as they are now.
  • 9.8: Percentage drop in U.S. retail sales over the past 12 months.

Read more Data Points

Sources: The Week

Tags:
consumers,
recession,
shopping

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When I was a youth, the mall was a place to meet friends, have a pizza, play a few arcade games and discuss the latest comic books (and later girls), all in a warm environment while in the dead of winter.

Are kids more outside and social today, or are our malls dying because cell phones, internet gaming, and chat rooms have replaced real human interaction?

The world may soon find out.

Michael of PA 4:50PM October 06, 2009

Riddance.

Useless flea market malls. A hangout for truant youngsters and dope peddlers.

I am glad to see it go.

Dave H. of NC 7:42PM April 02, 2009

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