Lifting the mall pall

Mall operators in the US are hoping virtual reality and fitness centres will save them, according to the Los Angeles Times. They are also working to counter the effects of the millennial generation’s buying habits, which tend towards spending on restaurants and activities instead of stores, so they’re catering to consumer engagement and offerings like eating and drinking. “Merchants have been closing at such a rapid pace that financial services company Credit Suisse recently predicted 20%-25% of US malls will shut within five years.”