Shopping malls aren’t what they used to be. Before, they were essentially big stores that house smaller businesses. Today, with retail competition getting more cutthroat and shoppers looking for quality goods and services, malls are no longer mere shopping centers; they’ve become lifestyle hubs.
The Dramatic Shift
The rise of e-commerce drives the chances in mall designs today. The ease of online shopping dramatically shifted the way people think about shopping. With just one click, they’re able to get the exact product they’re looking for at a price they are willing to pay. Shoppers have the added advantage of being able to compare prices from different online stores quickly. The convenience of online shopping is the very thing mall owners are up against. Thus, their strategy changed: Since they can’t compete with online convenience, mall retailers broaden customers’ shopping experience.
Lifestyle Malls
As a result, malls today offer complete downtown services with spas, salons, fitness centers, and even concert halls. Notice how modern malls often have massive glass roofs that flood the area with natural light. Some also have park-like features in their outdoor areas with cafes and restaurants where people can bring their pets.
The Addition of Commercial Green Spaces
One key factor in making shopping a lifestyle successful is the addition of green features. They make the interiors look and feel natural, laid-back, and unstaged rather than clinical and closed-off.
Architectural digests and economic magazines deduce that the addition of green spaces can help enhance the lifestyle vibe that’s crucial to the survival of the mall industry. Malls that integrate green spaces in their open or indoor areas should also invest in commercial lawn care and maintenance to maintain their pleasant aesthetics and ambiance.
Mall gardens are places where shoppers can relax; and when they are comfortable enough to lounge around longer in these spaces, they increase sale opportunities for the stores in the area. These spaces give shoppers leisure and entertainment they can’t experience online.
Malls have changed so much in the last years as they respond to the growing competition and ever-changing customer’s preferences. If you haven’t switched yet to making your shopping center a lifestyle hub, you’re most likely missing out.