Malls have been a popular attraction across the United States for many years now. For decades, the mall has been a place for family, friends, and more to connect and share their love for shopping. From the 1950s on, people have used Malls in infinitely many ways. However, in recent years the Robinson Mall has begun to slowly close or is at least heading in that direction. While the mall has not officially closed their doors to the outside, numerous stores have become empty, and it’s beginning to change how the mall looks and feels to the community.
As stores go on last clearance sales and empty out their shelves, people wonder why an old essential is dying out. One of the major reasons is the high relevance of online shopping. Across the nation, retail stores that were once with steady foot traffic have struggled to get entrants through their doors. Popular clothing brands are beginning to head online only and forgetting their days of hanging things up on racks. For example, stores such as Forever 21 announced their bankruptcy and began closing hundreds of locations nationwide, including in Robinson Mall. When all these popular stores begin to close, it makes it difficult for the mall to fill those empty spaces, making it appear abandoned in certain areas.
The rise of online fast-fashion retailers such as Shein is a reason for a major decline in in-person shopping. Shein has become an extremely popular shopping site among teenagers and young adults because of its low prices, constant new styles, and easy online access. Instead of going to the mall to shop at stores like Forever 21 and H&M, many people can just order clothes quickly online with Shein using their phones.
The Mall has also faced operational challenges that highlight the struggles of the stores. Temporary closures of many stores have been caused by temporary power outages and other mechanical problems, making them very unreliable and less appealing to customers. In addition to these problems, there have been continuing issues about safety and theft.
Despite the many closures, Robinson Mall continues to have several stores that attract customers such as Macy’s, Dicks Sporting Goods, JCPenny, Bath and Body Works, American Eagle, Aerie, and more. Those stores remain open and do tend to attract many of the mall’s customers. These are the stores that prevent Robinson Mall from permanently closing and being completely abandoned. However, with the fewer surrounding shops even these popular stores struggle to bring in the same crowd that they once had.
However, Robinson Mall is still trying to adapt to these changing times and struggling to stay open despite it all. The downfall of this mall reflects the larger changes happening in retail today. While some stores still do remain in the mall, it no longer holds the same meaning as it once did for the community. Unless changes are made to adapt the Robinson Mall to modern shopping habits, it may continue to fade, reminding everyone how difficult it is for malls to survive in the world today.
