Since the beginning of 2021, the shopping mall space (including indoor and outdoor complexes) has witnessed a marked and impressive recovery, according to Placer.ai. July marked the first month of mall visits exceeding 2019 figures — monthly visits in July 2021 were up 0.7 percent compared to July 2019 — and the recovery in shopping mall foot traffic is now in line with the recovery of other industries affected by COVID-19. Given that mall visits are expected to increase even further through August, with the “back to school” shopping season around the corner, the end of malls is not as near as some may think.
Consumers come to malls not only to shop, but also for the food courts and entertainment options, which are generally more diverse and abundant at indoor venues. And the winter months of 2022 w