Amazon at Malls?

Long before the coronavirus, we were witnessing the (not so) slow decline of the American shopping mall. As more and more major retailers (or anchor stores as they say) were closing locations, malls were finding that they were dealing with more and more empty space. Plans started forming to turn these huge retail caverns into senior housing, educational centers, and food destinations.

Empty retail space, especially at malls, was a concern before the pandemic. But what now? We’re seeing the face of brick and mortar retail become more and more bleak. These malls are massive and when empty they become a massive liability.

Enter … Amazon distribution centers!

Makes sense, right? Amazon is busting at the seams it seems, so why not convert existing abandoned or soon to be abandoned space into something productive?!? Reinvention is the American way, right? Perhaps the global way as well! Plus, we know that Amazon is opening up its own retail locations so why not ‘anchor” them to a distribution center as well. Pretty smart!

Reinvention will be a requirement moving forward and out of the pandemic. Let’s get creative on how we can salvage the damage and turn it into something productive.

What can you do with your brand? What’s your experience? JIM